Inductor Market

Inductor Introduction:

An inductor is an electrical component used in electronic circuits to store energy in a magnetic field. It is made of a coil of wire, often wrapped around a core made of a magnetic material, such as iron or ferrite. Inductors are used in a variety of applications, from power supplies to signal processing.

Importance of Inductor:

Inductors are an essential component of many electrical circuits. They are used to filter out unwanted signals, create voltage spikes, and store energy. Inductors are commonly used in power supplies to smooth out the output voltage and reduce ripple. They are also used in audio circuits to filter out high-frequency noise and in radio circuits to tune to a specific frequency.

Types of Inductors:

There are many types of inductors, each with their unique characteristics and applications. The most common types of inductors are air-core, iron-core, and ferrite-core inductors. Air-core inductors are used in high-frequency applications because they have a low inductance and are less likely to saturate. Iron-core inductors are used in power supplies because they have a high inductance and can handle high currents. Ferrite-core inductors are used in radio circuits because they have a high permeability and can be easily tuned.

Applications of Inductors:

Inductors are used in a wide range of applications, including power supplies, filters, transformers, and oscillators. In power supplies, inductors are used to smooth out the output voltage and reduce ripple. In filters, inductors are used to filter out unwanted signals and noise. In transformers, inductors are used to step up or step down the voltage. In oscillators, inductors are used to create a resonant circuit that oscillates at a specific frequency.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, inductors are an essential component of many electrical circuits. They are used to store energy in a magnetic field and are commonly used in power supplies, filters, transformers, and oscillators. There are many types of inductors, each with their unique characteristics and applications. Whether you are designing a power supply or a radio circuit, understanding the properties and applications of inductors is essential for creating a reliable and efficient circuit.

Inductor Market Dynamics

Driving Factor: Increasing Advancements in Consumer Electronics

The consumer electronics industry is highly competitive and constantly evolving, with technological breakthroughs and innovations playing a significant role in shaping the market landscape. These advancements and innovations are enabling consumer electronics manufacturers to enhance the features and quality of their products, thereby boosting the demand for inductors in this vertical. Power inductors are extensively used in consumer electronics due to their ability to provide large currents, low DCR characteristics, and small size. Additionally, RF inductors, air-core inductors, and multilayered inductors are also widely used in the consumer electronics sector. The growing focus of manufacturers on emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) has fueled the adoption of inductors. Furthermore, the integration of network technologies such as GSM, 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G in various electronic products has contributed to the growth of the inductor market.

Limiting Factor: Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices, Particularly Copper

Inductors are typically made using materials such as copper, iron, and ferrite, as they possess high electrical connectivity and low power losses. Copper is a widely used raw material in inductor manufacturing due to its excellent thermal and mechanical properties. However, copper prices can be volatile and affected by various factors, such as disruptions in mining operations due to natural disasters or strikes by mine workers. Moreover, fluctuations in weather, political instability, or transportation issues can impact regional supplies and cause a surge in copper pricing. It is essential to maintain a uniform metal pattern density and limited copper line width while manufacturing inductors. Any deviation in these aspects can affect the quality and performance of the inductors.

Opportunities in Inductor Market

The production of electric vehicles has experienced a sharp increase in recent years and is predicted to continue growing in the near future. The development of these vehicles has progressed rapidly, and their usage has become more widespread. As a result, the demand for electronic components such as connected cars and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) has expanded. With environmental regulations tightening, major manufacturers and new carmakers have ramped up production of electric vehicles, leading to a rise in demand for passive components. Electric vehicles are equipped with new technologies that rely on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Consequently, the growing adoption of electric vehicles is expected to drive demand for inductors in the years to come.

Challenges in Inductor Market

Products are becoming increasingly smaller while their functionalities are growing more advanced. This trend is especially evident in the market for devices such as smartwatches, wristband-type wearables, and IoT devices like sensor network devices, which require reduced size and thickness while also needing highly efficient power supply circuits for longer battery life. As the size and thickness of wearables such as smartwatches decrease, there is a greater use of higher-speed and multi-core processors to achieve higher performance and efficiency. This results in the miniaturization of all components, including inductors. In particular, multilayered chip inductors must become even smaller while maintaining high Q ratings. However, as feature sizes decrease, maintaining dimensional tolerances and long-term reliability becomes more difficult. Furthermore, wireless handsets, PDAs, and other portable electronic devices are continuing to decrease in size while increasing in complexity. This presents design challenges as the reduction in size of an inductor must not affect its original rated current (ODC) and DC resistance.

According to market forecasts, the inductor market for power applications is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The power applications segment is projected to exhibit the highest growth due to the widespread use of inductors as energy storage devices in switched-mode power supplies to generate DC currents. Additionally, power inductors are commonly utilized as filters to decrease the amount of ripple in electronic circuits, further boosting the market growth for power applications.

During the forecast period, the inductor market for ferrite core inductors is predicted to dominate the market. Ferrite core inductors are characterized by their low coercivity, which leads to reduced hysteresis loss. They also offer higher resistance when compared to other inductor core types. These inductors are widely used in various applications such as broadband transformers, noise filters, power transformers, converter and inverter transformers, and more. Additionally, they are frequently utilized in surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters and voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) circuits for telecommunication, hard disks, notebook computers, and other electronic equipment.

Inductor Market Trends

Higher CAGR Expected for Surface-Mount Inductors During Forecast Period

Surface-mount power inductors are primarily used in power converters to power supplies. These inductors are available in smaller sizes and come in various shapes such as pot cores (round), RM (square pot cores), and custom shapes. Their applications include filtering EMI currents at low inductance loss, DC-to-DC and AC-DC converters, storing energy, and switching regulated power supplies. The market for surface-mount inductors is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Expected to Lead Growth in Inductor Market

The Asia Pacific region plays a crucial role in the development of the electrical and electronics industry. Several leading inductor manufacturing companies, including TDK, Murata Manufacturing, Taiyo Yuden, Chilisin Electronics, Delta Electronics, Panasonic, ABC Taiwan Electronics, Shenzhen Sunlord Electronics, and Sumida, are based in Asia Pacific. The demand for labor-intensive tasks in segments such as passive electronic components and semiconductor assembly and testing operations is high, leading many electronic manufacturing companies in other regions to outsource their production to low-cost countries in Asia. With lower labor costs in the Asia Pacific, most inductors are manufactured in this region and exported to various regions. The significant growth toward manufacturing and the potential of China, Japan, and India largely contribute to this growth trend. The increasing demand for power, coupled with the need for power management, is accelerating the demand for inductors in Asia Pacific. The inductor market in this region is estimated to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period.

Key Market Players in Inductor Market

• MURATA MANUFACTURING
• TDK
• VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY
• TAIYO YUDEN
• CHILISIN ELECTRONICS
• DELTA ELECTRONICS
• PANASONIC
• ABC TAIWAN ELECTRONICS
• PULSE ELECTRONICS
• COILCRAFT
• SHENZHEN SUNLORD ELECTRONICS
• BOURNS
• SUMIDA
• ICE COMPONENTS
• KYOCERA AVX
• BEL FUSE
• FALCO ELECTRONICS
• GCI TECHNOLOGIES
• WÜRTH ELEKTRONIK
• SAMSUNG-ELECTRO MECHANICS (SEMCO)
• INDUCTOR SUPPLY, INC.
• GOWANDA ELECTRONICS
• LITTELFUSE
• TOKEN ELECTRONICS
• TT ELECTRONICS
• LAIRD TECHNOLOGIES
• JOHANSON TECHNOLOGY
• ZHENHUA ELECTRONICS

Recent Developments in Inductor Market

The inductor market has seen some recent developments, including new product releases from TDK, Vishay Intertechnology, and Murata Manufacturing.

In March 2022, TDK launched its PCM120T series of shielded surface-mount technology (SMT) power inductors. These inductors have been optimized for high saturation currents and low DC resistance, making them ideal for a wide range of applications.

Also in March 2022, Vishay Intertechnology expanded its IHLE series of low-profile, high-current inductors. These new devices feature integrated E-field shields that help to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). They come in both commercial and Automotive Grade versions and are available in a 5 mm by 5 mm by 3.4 mm 2020 case size.

In December 2021, Murata Manufacturing announced the release of its DFE21CCN_EL series of power inductors designed specifically for 5G smartphones. These inductors boast a 20% increase in saturation current and a 50% reduction in DC resistance compared to their predecessors. This improved performance helps to enhance operational efficiency and enables system designs to be downsized.

The inductor market has been witnessing significant growth in recent years due to the increasing demand for inductors in various electronic applications such as power supplies, automotive electronics, and consumer electronics. The market has also been witnessing a shift towards miniaturization and increased efficiency in inductor technology, which has resulted in the development of new materials and designs.

One of the recent developments in the inductor market is the use of nanocrystalline and amorphous magnetic materials. These materials have higher saturation flux density, lower core losses, and better thermal stability than traditional magnetic materials such as ferrite. This makes them ideal for use in high-frequency applications where smaller inductors with higher power density are required.

Another development in the inductor market is the use of 3D printing technology for the fabrication of inductors. 3D printing allows for the rapid prototyping and production of inductors with complex geometries and precise dimensions, which can be customized for specific applications. This technology also allows for the production of inductors with unique shapes and sizes, which can help to improve overall system efficiency.

The demand for inductors with higher power density and lower resistance has also led to the development of new winding technologies. For example, flat wire winding technology allows for the creation of inductors with a larger surface area, which results in lower resistance and higher power density. This technology is particularly useful in applications where space is limited, such as in portable electronic devices.

Another trend in the inductor market is the increasing use of inductors in automotive electronics. With the growing demand for electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems, inductors are becoming an integral part of automotive electronics. The development of inductors with higher power density and greater thermal stability is critical for the success of these applications.

In conclusion, the inductor market is undergoing significant developments in materials, design, and manufacturing processes. The use of nanocrystalline and amorphous magnetic materials, 3D printing technology, advanced winding techniques, and the increasing use of inductors in automotive electronics are some of the recent developments in the inductor market. These developments are helping to improve the performance and efficiency of electronic devices and systems, and are expected to continue driving growth in the inductor market in the coming years.