The European market for pneumatic components grew by 3.5% last year to reach €2.5bn, slowing slightly from the previous two years when it recorded growth rates above 4%. A new report from IMS Research suggests that one factor affecting the market is the increasing use of electromechanical components in applications where pneumatic parts would previously have been used.

A related factor is that some suppliers have cut the prices of standard components, such as directional control valves and cylinders, in response to pressure from suppliers of electromechanical components and other low-cost substitutes.
 
“However, some areas will continue to drive market growth” suggests the report’s author, Daniel Welch. “There is ever-increasing demand for components that can be used in industrial networks, including valve islands with fieldbus and multi-pole connectivity.

“Also,” he adds, “components that can be designed and configured to meet the specific needs of the end-user will be purchased in increasing volumes over the next few years”.