Metal And Ceramic Injection Molding Market Size
Metal And Ceramic Injection Molding Market size was over USD 2.5 billion in 2017 and will grow at a CAGR over 6% over the projected period.
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Imagine taking the best of both worlds - the strength and flexibility of metals with the intricate shapes made possible by molding. That's what powder injection molding (PIM) is all about. It combines metal injection molding (MIM) and ceramic injection molding (CIM) to create incredibly durable and sophisticated parts with smooth, high-quality surfaces. PIM uses a blend of metal or ceramic powders and plastic-like binders. When these are mixed together, it's like creating a dough that can be shaped into any design you want. The final parts maintain the toughness of metal or the delicate features of ceramics, while being incredibly strong and able to withstand wear and tear. Unlike traditional molding methods, PIM allows for more complex shapes and intricate details. It's perfect for creating parts that require both precision and durability, like gears, medical implants, and cutting-edge aerospace components.
Picture thissmaller and more complex parts are in high demand, especially in industries like automotive, aerospace, and healthcare. To keep up, the metal and ceramic injection molding market is set to explode in the coming years. Why? Because this method lets us create tiny parts that are both durable and precise, using materials like silicone and stainless steel. These parts are perfect for everything from car engines to aircraft components, pacemakers to surgical tools. Plus, the healthcare industry is going crazy for these PIM (powder injection molding) parts. They're used in everything from IV therapy to drug delivery systems. And here's the kickermajor players in the industry are getting certified left and right, ensuring top-notch quality and timely deliveries. That's why the metal and ceramic injection molding market is expected to soar even higher. Finally, let's not forget the firearms industry in the U.S. The demand for their products is only going up, which means even more growth for this exciting market.
Metal And Ceramic Injection Molding Market Report Attributes
Report Attribute |
Details |
Base Year |
2017 |
Metal And Ceramic Injection Molding Market Size in 2017 |
2.5 Billion (USD) |
Forecast Period |
2018 to 2025 |
Forecast Period 2018 to 2025 CAGR |
6% |
2025 Value Projection |
4 Billion (USD) |
Historical Data for |
2013 to 2017 |
No. of Pages |
500 |
Tables, Charts & Figures |
642 |
Segments covered |
Product, Application and Region |
What are the growth opportunities in this market?
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The metal injection molding (MIM) industry is facing some challenges that are holding it back. One big issue is that the parts made using MIM are often too heavy and bulky. Another problem is that the materials used in MIM are expensive. The size of MIM parts is limited because of the furnaces used in the process. Most MIM furnaces are only big enough to hold parts that are 10-15 mm in size. This means that larger parts can't be made using MIM, which limits the market for these products. The materials used in MIM are also a challenge. MIM parts are made from a mixture of metal powder and binder. Both of these materials are expensive, which drives up the cost of MIM parts. This makes MIM parts less competitive with other manufacturing methods.
Metal And Ceramic Injection Molding Market Analysis
The metal injection molding market has been segmented by type into iron & steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and others. Stainless steel for metal injection molding led the global MCIM market, with a share of over 40% in 2017. The demand for stainless steel molded products in automotive, aerospace, and general industrial end-users is significantly increasing due to the high strength of the metal, thereby driving their product demand from the past few years. The demand for these products is expected to rise significantly over the coming years.
The ceramic injection molding market has been segmented by type into alumina, zirconia, others which included products such as ferrites, piezoelectric ceramics, etc. Alumina products offer high strength, less machinability, and flexibility compared to other materials, thus preferred more by the end-users compared to other materials. Alumina products in the ceramic injection molding market are predicted to show their significance till the end of the forecast period. Increasing demand for alumina molded products in automotive, electronics, and general industrial end-users is expected to boost the global MCIM market significantly over the forecast period.
Metal and ceramic injection market for automotive end-users held the largest share of the global market in 2017, and this will continue to show its dominance till the end of the forecast period. The demand for molded miniature products is increasing the automotive industry, due to their high strength and complexity in their structures. Complex and important components in engines, electronic systems, and locking mechanisms are majorly manufactured by injection molding processes, which is a significant driver to the growth of metal and ceramic injection molding market over the forecast period.
Defense & aerospace, medical, and electronics end-users also held significant shares in MCIM market by the end of 2017. The demand for metal and ceramic injection molded products in these end-users is also predicted to drive the global metal and ceramic injection molding market till the end of 2025.
The Asia Pacific region has been dominating the global market for metal and ceramic injection molding, both in terms of quantity and sales. This dominance is expected to continue throughout the forecasted period. Numerous manufacturers are driving this growth in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in automotive, aerospace, medical, and electronics industries. As of 2013, Asia Pacific commanded over 40% of the global market and is projected to maintain its lead in the coming years. This is primarily driven by the flourishing industrialization in countries like China, India, and Japan. The region's burgeoning automotive production is another key factor fueling the growth of metal and ceramic injection molding.
Europe, and North America are also predicted to increase their usage of metal and ceramic injection molding, while Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a higher CAGR in the coming years.
Metal Injection Molding Market Share
Key companies in the global MCIM market are
- Advanced Materials Technologies Pte. Ltd
- Form Technologies Company
- CN Innovations Holdings Ltd
- Akron Porcelain & Plastics Co
- ARC Group Worldwide, Inc
- Kinetics Climax Inc
- CMG Technologies
- PSM Industries
- Nippon Piston Ring Co Ltd
The key players in the market are developing new products to meet the increasing market demand and consumer expectations. Recently, in April 2018, Sweden’s Hoganas AB announced the development of new product area to meet rising market demands within additive manufacturing and metal injection molding. The company also going through some acquisitions to become a leader in the market. For instance, the company acquired of Metasphere Technology and H.C. Starck Surface Technology and Ceramic Powder, which helps them to improve their position in the market.
Industry Background
The metal and ceramic injection molding industry has been on a roll lately, growing at an impressive pace. China remains a powerhouse in this market, and its dominance is expected to continue until 2025. Not to be left behind, Japan and China are stepping up their molding game, which will further fuel demand for these materials. Despite the current limitations in cost and size, researchers are working hard to find solutions. This has the potential to open up even more opportunities for metal and ceramic injection molding. The Middle East is also emerging as a hot spot for this technology, thanks to its growing automotive industry.