HMS Networks has now presented its annual industrial networking market analysis, focusing on newly installed factory automation nodes worldwide. As an independent provider of industrial information and communication technology solutions, HMS has a comprehensive insight into the industrial networking market. The study for the year 2022 contains estimated market shares and growth rates for fieldbus, industrial Ethernet and wireless technologies.

In the study, HMS concludes that the industrial networking market continues to grow and expects overall market growth of an estimated +8% in 2022, confirming the continued importance of network connectivity in factories.

Industrial Ethernet is growing steadily

With growth of 10%, Industrial Ethernet continues to gain market share. Industrial Ethernet now accounts for 66% of newly installed nodes in factory automation worldwide (compared to 65% last year). EtherNet/IP and Profinet share first place with a market share of 17% each. Ethercat is catching up strongly and has reached a double-digit market share for the first time with 11%. Modbus TCP is also developing well and has achieved a market share of 6%.

Fieldbuses on the rise again

The market share of fieldbuses is 27%, compared to 28% last year. Nevertheless, HMS concludes that despite the loss of one percent market share, the actual number of newly installed fieldbus nodes will increase by 4% in 2022 compared to the previous year, after several years of decline. The reason for this is assumed to be that the manufacturing industry prefers established industrial network solutions in uncertain times like these, due to the effects of coronavirus and the difficult component situation.

Profibus remains the most frequently installed fieldbus with a 7% market share, followed by Modbus-RTU with 5% and CC-Link with 4%. Interestingly, Modbus TCP and RTU technologies are still widely used in modern factories and will together account for 11% of the market in 2022.

Wireless use cases are emerging

Wireless networks are growing by 8%, in line with the general growth rate of the network market, and remain at a market share of 7%. Wireless applications are typically used as a cable replacement, for machine access via radio or for connecting mobile devices. The market is still waiting for the widespread introduction and impact of 5G in next-generation factory automation.

Regional differences

EtherNet/IP and Profinet are the leading networks in Europe and the Middle East, followed by Profibus and Ethercat. Other popular networks are Modbus (RTU/TCP) and Ethernet Powerlink. The US market is dominated by EtherNet/IP, although Ethercat is developing strongly there and gaining market share. Profinet leads the fragmented Asian market, followed by EtherNet/IP and the equally strong networks CC-Link/CC-Link IE Field, Ethercat, Profibus and Modbus (RTU/TCP).