In recent years, the threat posed by toxic and combustible gases to the safety of the masses as well as industrial workers has drawn much attention from industries, governments, and people. Fatal accidents that have happened worldwide have highlighted the importance of best-in-class industrial safety solutions from the leakage of toxic and combustible gases. Industries such as oil and gas, chemicals and petrochemicals, mining, and manufacturing are increasingly installing gas detectors across their global operations to maintain high safety standards.
Global industrial safety regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, and companies need to comply with them. Regulatory organizations such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) govern the levels of occupational exposure of personnel to toxic gases, which should be within acceptable limits. Strict regulation has compelled industries to install gas detecting equipment. This is one of the major growth drivers for gas detector manufacturers.
There is also increased awareness among medical and domestic users. With rising air pollution levels, there is now a greater concern among buyers regarding safety and atmospheric gas toxicity levels. Safety concerns in the residential, medical, and commercial sectors have triggered the growth of gas detection equipment sales.
Gas detectors are used to detect flammable, combustible, and toxic gases. These can also monitor the depleting levels of oxygen. The detectors come with advanced sensors such as ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, semiconductor sensors, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, catalytic sensors, and electrochemical gas sensors. Applications can be found in refineries, industrial plants, automobiles, wastewater treatment facilities, and household activities. Traditionally, gas detectors have been of the fixed type. However, over the years, portable gas detectors have been developed, and the industry has found these to be immensely useful.
Battery-operated portable devices monitor the atmosphere around workers and transmit warnings using audible and visual signals.
The portable gas detectors available these days are highly advanced wireless devices, which makes them attractive. Wireless devices can detect gas breaks and explosives from a safe distance and measure gas concentrations in hard-to-reach environments. The latest advanced portable gas detectors can be installed easily in difficult environments and are capable of detecting a host of poisonous gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. Hence, wireless gas detectors are suitable for the remote sensing of flammable and toxic gases in hazardous environments.
Technological advances such as the Internet of Things (IOT), cloud-based solutions, and artificial intelligence (AI) are promoting growth of smart gas detection devices. Smart gas detectors are easy to install, easy to use, require low maintenance, can be connected to a smartphone or tablet, and provide real-time alerts. Such features are beneficial for the customers and, hence, smart detectors are increasingly finding greater acceptance across industrial and commercial applications. Wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are majorly used for smart connectivity. A smartphone or tablet operates the smart gas detector through an app installed on the device, and an alert notification is sent to the app. This system also notifies other important stakeholders in industrial applications, and friends and family in the case of domestic usage.
Detector manufacturers are expected to witness growth from oil and gas, chemicals and petrochemicals, and mining sectors. Major demand is expected from the United States, driven by increasing replacement due to occupational safety regulations. Increased shale gas production in the US will also continue to boost the gas detectors market. Countries such as Russia, Iran, Qatar, Canada, China, Norway, and Saudi Arabia with their increased shale gas production will drive the gas detector equipment market. Emerging markets in Latin America and Asia-Pacific (APAC) will also drive sales due to increased operations and investments in oil and gas, chemicals, petrochemicals, and manufacturing.
With the increasing interest in the residential and commercial markets, gas detector manufacturers are adopting new business models to reach out to a larger pool of customers with their products and solutions. They are collaborating with insurance providers and offering pocket-friendly price points to customers. Insurance companies are offering discounts on insurance policies for homes and cars that have gas detectors installed. This trend of continuous change in business models and sales strategy will continue in the future to suit customer requirements better.
Another trend that the gas detectors market is witnessing is consolidation, as large and global companies are acquiring smaller and mid-sized companies that have highly advanced product portfolios and a strong brand value. The trend is likely to continue with the market witnessing further consolidation in the middle to long term.
As the industries need to adhere to operational and safety measures to prevent worker injuries and hefty penalties due to noncompliance with the regulatory norms set by OSHA; and given the growing awareness among residential and commercial buyers on health hazards posed by the rising levels of harmful gases and depleting oxygen levels indoors, the outlook for gas detector companies remains positive for industrial as well as residential and commercial sectors.
