NEWS n THE NUMBER OF NEW industrial networking nodes installed around the world dropped by 10-11% in 2024, compared to 2023, according HMS Networks’ latest annual analysis of the global industrial networking market. It attributes the dip – which follows an “exceptional” surge in 2023 – to a more challenging economic environment, political and other uncertainties, and excess production capacity in highly automated sectors such as automotive and manufacturing, especially in Europe. Despite the overall slowdown, the study confirms that industrial Ethernet continues to strengthen its grip on the market, accounting for 76% of new nodes installed during 2024, up from 71% in 2023. Traditional fieldbus technologies are declining at an accelerating pace and now represent just 17% of new nodes, down from 22% in 2023. During the previous two years, component shortages sustained the demand for serial-based fieldbus systems. However, with components now being more readily available and economic pressures mounting, the focus has shifted toward more costefficient and scalable Ethernet-based communications. HMS’ latest analysis shows that Profinet strengthened its global lead among Ethernet-based industrial networks from 23% in 2023 up to at 27% in 2024. EtherNet/IP also increased its market share from 21% to at 23%, while EtherCat grew slightly from 16% to 17%. Modbus TCP, Powerlink, CC-Link IE and other Ethernet networks remained stable, each with 4% or less of the market. In the fieldbus segment, Profibus remains the leader, but the number of nodes installed dropped from 7% in 2023 to 5% in 2024. DeviceNet, CC-Link, and Modbus RTU each declined by about 1%, while CAN/CANopen held steady at 2%. Other fieldbus protocols together make up 4% of the market. Wireless technologies accounted for 7% of new node installations in 2024, remaining at a similar level to 2023. Wireless continues to be an important complement for non-real-time critical communications, mainly for applications requiring mobility or flexible networking, or for hard-to-reach areas. Take-up of 5G wireless technology is still slow. HMS says this is due to the complexity of infrastructure management, high implementation costs, and challenges in achieving affordable realtime performance in cellular chips. However, despite these barriers, early industrial deployments are already underway, particularly in Asia, and “the technology holds exciting potential for the future of industrial communication”. HMS predicts that, following the slowdown in 2024, the industrial network market will return to growth, averaging 7.7% over the coming five years, despite short-term political and economic uncertainties and upcoming cybersecurity regulations that will force automation companies to rethink the way they connect automation systems. Industrial networking installations dropped by more than 10% in 2024 HMS Networks analysis of the industrial networking market reveals the growing dominance of industrial Ethernet technologies, and the decline of traditional fieldbuses
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