[With its annual industrial networking market analysis, HMS Networks aims to assess the penetration of new connected nodes by type and protocol within factory automation. The latest study shows that the market for industrial networks continues to expand, with an expected growth of 7% in 2024. Industrial Ethernet continues to dominate with a 71% share of all newly installed nodes, compared to 68% in the previous year. The share of fieldbuses has fallen from 24% to 22%, while the share of wireless technologies has fallen slightly from 8% to 7%. In the network ranking, Profinet is in the lead with a 23% share of newly installed nodes, closely followed by EtherNet/IP with 21% and EtherCAT with 16%.

Industrial Ethernet with steady growth

With growth of 12%, Industrial Ethernet is accelerating its growth and continuing to capture market share. Industrial Ethernet now has a 71% share of the global market for newly installed nodes in factory automation. Profinet is the most widespread with a market share of 23%, surpassing EtherNet/IP, which accounts for 21% of new nodes. The popularity of EtherCAT remains high and is securely in third place with a market share of 16%.

Fieldbuses with expected decline

Conventional serial fieldbus installations are increasingly losing momentum. Although fieldbus installations still account for a significant proportion of new nodes, annual growth is expected to decline by -2% in 2024. Profibus leads the fieldbus ranking with a market share of 7%, followed by an even distribution among other well-known fieldbus protocols.

Together, fieldbuses will account for 22% of the market in 2024. Despite the decline in new fieldbus nodes, it can be assumed that the proven and reliable fieldbuses will continue to be used in many devices, machines and factories in the coming years.

Wireless technologies with a constant presence

Wireless technologies have seen steady growth in recent years, even if the pace of growth has now slowed slightly. Wireless solutions still account for 7% of the total share by type. More and more products supporting industrial wireless solutions are being introduced to the market and the acceptance of wireless solutions in factory environments is increasing. Typical use cases include cable replacement applications, wireless machine access and the integration of mobile devices into industrial networks.