Coriolis flowmeters continue to gain market share

About to displace magnetic flowmeters, Coriolis designs are poised to move into the number-two spot. Continuing growth says number-one is inevitable.

October 18, 2011

IMS Research forecasts that Coriolis flowmeters will overtake differential pressure flowmeters as the largest flowmeter technology market (measured in revenue) in 2014, after they replace magnetic flowmeters as the second-largest market in 2012.

Research director and report author Paul Everett comments, “It’s not surprising, nor earth shattering news, to see growth for mechanical flowmeters slowing and an ongoing shift to Coriolis and ultrasonic products. For me, the more interesting trend is the distinct difference in market growth and size between EMEA, the Americas, and Asia. Asia was found to be the smallest region for Coriolis flowmeters in 2010. However, it is forecast to surpass the Americas in 2013 and perhaps more surprising, EMEA in 2014 to become the largest market.” 

Flowmeter manufacturers strive to find added value in Coriolis flowmeter design and functionality. The main areas for advanced technological differentiation between vendors are through the inclusion of remote diagnostics and the ability to measure greater line sizes. Everett continues, “Coriolis is a much better solution for smaller pipe sizes. You then have an area between four- and eight-inch where there is a trade-off in pressure drop and rangeability of a Coriolis flowmeter and the accuracy of an ultrasonic. It’s clear that manufacturers of Coriolis flowmeters are pushing the envelope higher above eight-inch, while ultrasonic vendors are pushing below eight-inch. Ultimately, this will provide end-users with more choice, which will drive down flowmeter prices. End-users are looking beyond the upfront cost of purchasing new technologies, and have begun to assess the overall return on investment that they offer. Additionally, legislation requiring the continual inspection of flow devices will increase the need for remote diagnostic capabilities, which are more prevalent in advanced flow measurement technologies, like Coriolis and ultrasonic.”

Analysis of the flowmeter market is available from the second edition of IMS Research’s recently released World Flowmeter report.

www.imsresearch.com

Edited by Peter Welander, pwelander@cfemedia.com

Also read: Are Coriolis Flowmeters a Universal Technology?