Every year HMS Networks analyses the industrial network market to estimate the distribution of new connected nodes in factory automation. This year’s study indicates that the industrial network market is expected to grow by 7% in 2023. Industrial Ethernet is expected to show the highest growth, accounting for 68% of all new installed nodes (66% last year). Fieldbuses are expected to decline to 24% (27% last year) and wireless will see further growth to 8% market share (7% last year). PROFINET and EtherNet/IP share first place in the network rankings, each with 18% market share, followed by EtherCAT, a strong contender, now at 12%.
In the industrial network market, HMS anticipates continuing growth for Industrial Ethernet and wireless networks.
HMS Networks’ annual analysis of the industrial network market focuses on new installed nodes in factory automation globally. As an independent supplier of solutions within Industrial ICT (information and communications technology), HMS has sound insight into the industrial network market. The 2023 study presents estimated market shares and growth rates for fieldbuses, Industrial Ethernet and wireless technologies, noting that the importance of network connectivity continues to grow as factories, globally, move to automation.
Industrial Ethernet growing steadily
Growing by 10%, Industrial Ethernet continues to take market share. It now holds 68% of the global market of new installed nodes in factory automation (compared to 66% last year). The competition between PROFINET and EtherNet/IP continues as they lead the 2023 network rankings with 18% market share each. EtherCAT also continues to grow strongly and now holds 12% market share.
Fieldbuses decreasing
Last year’s growth for Fieldbuses was temporary as new fieldbus installations decline by -5% in 2023. PROFIBUS leads the fieldbus rankings with 6% market share and Modbus-RTU follows closely at 5%. Altogether, fieldbuses account for 24% (27%) of the market in 2023. Although the number of new fieldbus nodes is declining, a lot of devices, machines and factories will rely on the well-proven fieldbuses for years to come.
Wireless growing fastest
Wireless growth accelerates to +22% in 2023, as more wireless industrial networking solutions are introduced in factory automation. Typical use cases include cable replacement applications, wireless machine access and connectivity to mobile industrial equipment.
Productivity and sustainability in manufacturing
“Sound industrial network connectivity is key to achieve the manufacturing uptime needed to reach productivity and sustainability objectives in factory automation,” says Magnus Jansson, Product Marketing Director at HMS Networks Business Unit, Anybus. “Quality, security, safety, and gaining insights through device and machine data, are the main drivers we see for the continued expansion of industrial networking.”
There are regional variations in network preferences. EtherNet/IP, PROFINET and EtherCAT are the leading networks in Europe and the Middle East, with PROFIBUS and Modbus-TCP following. The US market is dominated by EtherNet/IP with EtherCAT developing strongly and gaining market share. PROFINET leads a fragmented Asian market, followed by EtherNet/IP, and CC-Link/CC-Link IE Field, EtherCAT, PROFIBUS, and Modbus (RTU/TCP) are all strong contenders.
Scope
The study includes HMS Networks’ estimation for 2023 based on the number of new installed nodes in factory automation. A node is defined as a machine or device connected to an industrial field network. The figures represent HMS’ consolidated view, considering insights from colleagues in the industry, its own sales statistics and overall perception of the market.
For more information visit: www.hms-networks.com
