North American sanitary pump market to hit $1.35bn in 2018
The figures, highlighted in a report by Frost & Sullivan, claims consumers in this region are spending more money on processed foods, which has led to a growth in the F&B sector, boosting the need for sanitary pumps.
Advances in technology, such as the development of single-use pump systems, has also led to usage in the pharmaceutical segment, where a large-scale production of low-cost, generic medicines to meet escalating healthcare demands, will create more opportunities for pump manufacturers.
According to Dr Sobana Pandian, industrial automation and process control research analyst, Frost & Sullivan, adoption of advanced pump systems is driven by end-users wanting energy efficiency, a reduction in overall lifecycle costs and operational excellence.
Pumps with 'real-time' feedback
She said pump manufacturers must constantly evolve to meet market requirements focusing on niche applications, energy efficiency and product optimization. For example, pumps with real-time feedback that can point to the location of a system glitch, minimizing the chance of a plant breakdown or downturn, will expand the market scope.
David Caldwell, product manager, Xylem, a pump manufacturer serving the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industry said his company is noticing the same trends highlighted in the report.
He said he agrees, pump manufactures need to continue to develop advance technologies and disposable pump technology is an increasing trend in the pharmaceutical industry, slowly moving towards the food and beverage markets.
“There are a number of reasons for this advancement but mainly due to production cost and maintaining a sterile production processes is why disposable technology is on the rise,” he added.
“We are seeing increased growth coming from the food and beverage markets where this trend should continue for the next several years.
“Our perspective of this increased growth is viewed on a global scale showing that China and India are taking the lead although the US still continues to present increased growth in both food and beverage.”
Slow installation rate
But, one factor to note is the installation rate of pumps has slowed down as several end-user plants shifted to emerging countries to curb costs and economic uncertainties limit investments in sanitary pump R&D, hampering the growth of niche segments.
Dr Pandian’s research covers centrifugal pumps, which include single-stage, multi-stage, axial and mixed-flow, circulators and sealless pumps, and positive displacement pumps, which include rotary, reciprocating and peristaltic pumps.
"Benefits such as the minimization of leaks, product damage, and product loss, in addition to improved quality, popularized pump systems in sanitary applications," she said.
"The large replacement market in North America will continue to aid market growth."
The report found peristaltic pumps are gaining acceptance in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors because low pressure usage means shear sensitive products are not damaged. The tubing in these pumps is replaceable to maintain a sterile process and decrease the downtime associated with cleaning and sterilization of a multi-use system.
