The sales value of light emitting diode-based lamps for explosion-proof lighting applications will increase from $151.5 million in 2013 to $248.1 million in the year 2020 (equivalent to a 7.3% annual increase), according to the latest market forecast from market analyst company ElectroniCast Consultants, Aptos, CA,USA.
Unsafe lighting is one of the most common potential sources of ignition in hazardous environments such as contain explosive gases or dust. Electronicast says a variety of lighting types are available, which are considered to be explosion-proof because they prevent sparks and other possible ignition sources from being exposed to the air.
The Europe, Middle East and African (EMEA) region, driven by its use of explosion-proof lighting in the oil industry, is forecast for slightly faster growth than the Americas. The Americas, pushed initially by mining and oil sector sub-applications, in the later part of the forecast period will maintain its strong market positions in commercial/industrial, mining/oil-related, and military and transport-oriented sectors.
However, in terms of absolute value, the Asia-Pacific region will grow at a slightly faster pace than the other global regions through the forecast period. The APAC region consumption will be driven by use of the LED lamps in commercial/ industrial (factory) applications.
By application area, the Specialty, Panel and Miscellaneous lamp category is forecast to increase at the fastest pace. ElectroniCast commented, “Our market research shows that LED lamps specifically designed and tested for use in explosion-proof / harsh environment application-specific fixtures will continue to increase in consumption value at a steady pace.”
Price pressures
In General-Area lighting applications, the large range of current, relatively common LED-based spotlights and various-types of standard-appearance bulbs have already found their way into the explosion-proof lighting fixture marketplace; however, because of the large number of vendors in the standard LED Lamp space, competition and technology advances are driving down the average selling price per unit faster than in the other product categories, which are maintaining their value growth at a relatively slow pace.
Electronicast adds that eventually, LED-based linear (tube) lamps, which are ideal candidates to replace fluorescent tubes, will also find a niche in the explosion-proof lighting sector. For example, the prime market target for the LED linear Tube is lighting for paint spray booths (in manufacturing). The fluorescent tube has long been an acceptable lighting solution explosion-proof lighting fixtures, due to its relatively high efficiency and long life. LED efficiencies are set to exceed those of fluorescent tubes, with dimming and controllable color rendering readily achievable.
