Sales of smart linear conveyors are heading above $1bn
16 October 2024 
Global sales of smart linear conveyor systems will expand rapidly with a CAGR of 19.1% over the coming five years, reaching $1.1bn by 2029, according to a new report from Interact Analysis. The study also looks at the newer planar conveyor technologies which, it predicts, will expand with a CAGR of 28.1% from 2023-2029, to exceed $80m by the end of this period.
The markets for both linear and planar smart conveyance technologies (SCTs) are evolving rapidly, driven by industry demands, the benefits of the technologies, and the emergence of new markets.
A major driver is the increasing demand for precision movements and rapid throughput in manufacturing processes. Integrating SCTs into smart factories can enhance the efficiency and flexibility of production lines.
However, the technologies also face significant barriers such as the global economic slowdown, and reduced investment by the machinery industry. In addition, the high initial investment required for smart conveyance systems compared to traditional conveyors presents a challenge.
The SCT market is being shaped by advances in digitalisation and automation. As industries increasingly adopt smart manufacturing practices, integrating smart conveyor systems into production lines is becoming more widespread. These systems offer enhanced precision and flexibility, allowing manufacturers to optimise their operations and improve efficiency. This trend is particularly evident in sectors such as automotive, electronics and pharmaceuticals, where the demand for high-speed, accurate material-handling is critical.
Interact’s data shows that sales of linear smart conveyance systems surged by 27% in 2021, 32% in 2022 and 23% in 2023, driven largely by demand from the battery manufacturing industry. But the market is expected to shrink by 2.3% this year, due to sluggish machinery production and reduced spending by the battery sector.
Beckhoff Automation was one of the pioneers of smart conveyor technologies with its XTS linear motion system, and it has since entered the planar conveyor market as wellThe newer planar conveyance technologies are still in a trial phase, with low levels of customer awareness and trust, compared to the linear systems In 2023, sales of planar SCTs grew by 27%, to exceed $18m. But because of the weakness in the machinery industry, Interact expects the planar market to grow by just 7.9% in 2024, before returning to rapid expansion from 2025.
The biggest demand for SCTs is coming from the Asia-Pacific region – in particular, China, Japan and South Korea – driven by the region’s battery and semiconductor industries. In the EMEA region, there is significant interest from the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage sectors. In the Americas, the warehousing sector was the largest buyer of linear smart conveyor systems in 2023, and growth prospects are said to be “promising”, despite a short-term decline.
“The long-term outlook for smart conveyance technology remains robust, with substantial opportunities across various industries, particularly in battery manufacturing and electronics,” says Interact’s senior research director, Tim Dawson. “Our latest comprehensive analysis highlights in detail the transformative potential of both linear and planar systems, underscoring their critical role in the future of industrial automation.”
