Medical Device Link.

Advances in medical technology will help the global discrete capacitors market reach $21.5 billion by 2015, according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts Inc. (GIA; San Jose). The growth is attributed in part to technological advances in medical electronics, particularly medical imaging.

“The global capacitor market witnessed a decline in the second half of 2008, owing to the economic recession, which affected almost all end-use markets,” says GIA. However, technological advances and an increasing volume requirement of capacitors in several markets, including medical, will be key drivers of growth and will help the market rebound.

According to GIA, the global capacitors market is increasingly moving toward components with higher efficiencies in relatively compact sizes—an important consideration for medical devices that are ever decreasing in size. Advances in ceramic materials, used in devices, modules, and components, have been instrumental in reducing the size of subassemblies and components. The report points to the increase in the transistor density of integrated circuits as the main reason for the miniaturization of electronic products and systems.

GIA notes that in the medical market, capacitors are set for dynamic growth due to development of innovative imaging technologies and implants. Electronic eyes, hearing aids, and pain management are said to be the new areas of application for implants. GIA says that the largest share in the investments made in research and development will be in multilayer ceramic capacitors. Research in tantalum powder, barium titanate, and nickel powder for increasing the surface areas in chip capacitors is also under way.

The report, titled “Discrete Capacitors: A Global Strategic Business Report,” reviews world market trends and drivers, market sizing data, industry issues, and challenges. Information includes the discrete capacitors market, product overview, technological developments, new product introductions, recent industry activity, and key player profiles.

According to GIA, the key players in the discrete capacitors market include ASC Capacitors, AVX, CSI Capacitors, Epcos, Kemet, Matsuo Electric, Murata Manufacturing, NEC Tokin, Nichicon, Samsung Electro-Mechanics, SEI Capacitors, Taiyo Yuden, TDK, and Vishay Intertechnology, among others.

For more details about the report, go to www.strategyr.com/Discrete_Capacitors_Market_Report.asp.