October 6, 2011 – PRWEB — Inkjet printheads are the largest selling micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) devices, and the mature market should exhibit limited growth, compared to smaller segments of the MEMS market. Digital imaging is the key inkjet head driver. The global market for inkjet heads is forecast to reach $1.8 billion by 2017, according to "Inkjet Heads: A Global Strategic Business Report" from Global Industry Analysts (GIA).
Digital cameras, cameraphones, and other digital imaging devices are pushing an increased need for printing digital photos. Digital imaging is driving print quality and print speed improvements, and demanding these advances at low costs. This forces inkjet head makers to develop advanced, sophisticated technologies for new products. Consumers — small home printers, retail, digital photo printers, etc. — are the biggest user group for inkjet heads.
Demand is growing faster in the industrial sector, with 3.6% CAGR during the analysis period. Inkjet heads deposit small drops of any kind of fluid (both inks and non-inks) in a precise, well-defined, and repeatable format. These applications include printing of electronic deposition, microfabrication of three-dimensional structures, and microdispensing for biological applications.
New and emerging industrial-sector applications also grow the inkjet head market. Printed electronics are still a nascent field for inkjet heads, GIA notes, with more development work needed. This sector could evolve to produce electronics at a fraction of the cost for conventional chips and solar panels.
Other emerging applications for inkjet heads include biomedical, retail kiosk systems, and inkjet in large companies.
The US is the world’s biggest consumer of inkjet heads, GIA reports. Europe is the next largest region. The fastest growing market for these products is the Asia-Pacific region, posting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 5.0% through 2017.
Inkjet heads are produced in a highly consolidated market, with only a handful companies dominating the scene. Major players profiled in the report include Canon Inc., Eastman Kodak Company, FUJIFILM Dimatix Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, Lexmark International, Inc., Olivetti S.p.A., Ricoh Printing Systems, Seiko Epson Corp., STMicroelectronics, Xaar Plc., among others.
"Inkjet Heads: A Global Strategic Business Report" provides a comprehensive review of the Inkjet Heads markets, current market trends, key growth drivers, the Different types of Inkjet Heads available in the market, competitive scenario, recent product launches, recent industry activity, and profiles of major/niche global as well as regional market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and projections for Inkjet Heads market for the years 2009 through 2017 for the following geographic markets – US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The report also analyzes the market by the following end-use markets – Consumer market, and Industrial markets. Also, a six-year (2003-2008) historic analysis is provided for additional perspective. Obtain the report at http://www.strategyr.com/Inkjet_Heads_Market_Report.asp