Explosive Detection Technologies Market Analysis

Market Insight-Global Explosive Detection Technologies Market

Market Overview

Explosive detection technologies refer to a system or equipment that is used for destructive identification of explosive materials. Explosive detection is commonly used at ports, airports, and border control. There are two types of explosive detection equipment namely trace detection and bulk detection. Different technologies are used in explosive X-ray, infrared, biosensors, optical, non-optical, etc. Several types of machines are used to detect trace signatures of explosive materials, in which ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is the most common technology used, especially at the U.S. airports. Furthermore, gas chromatography (GC) is also used for detection, in order to separate molecules before detection.

The global explosive detection technologies market is estimated to account for US$  6,462.1 Mn in terms of value by the end of 2019.

Market Dynamics- Driver

1. Growing use of explosive detection equipment in aviation security is expected to drive growth of the global explosive detection technologies market during the forecast period

Increasing incidence of terrorist attacks has compelled security forces and other agencies to implement various security measures to counter this. In March 2016, a terror attack took place at Brussels Airport, while the suicide bombing took place in June 2016 at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Various government agencies across the globe are focused on improving their existing security establishments at airports. For instance, in August 2016, the Government of India mandated security audits to all airports in the country. In May 2012, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandated 100% cargo screening at all airports in the U.S. Moreover, in August 2013, the European Commission (EC) mandated risk-based screening for cargo. These factors are expected to drive growth of the global explosive detection technologies market over the forecast period. Furthermore, increasing passenger volume across international airports is expected to boost the market growth in the near future. According to the International Air Transpiration Association (IATA), in 2015, global passenger volume was pegged at 3.8 billion.

2. Rising geopolitical unrest is expected to propel the global explosive detection technologies market growth over the forecast period

Increasing pressure caused by withdrawal of defense forces in Afghanistan and Iraq has resulted in strengthening of military and police forces by providing advanced explosive detection equipment. Moreover, use of hidden explosives and improvised explosive device (IED) are constant threat for land-based military. Therefore, various government is allotting to fund for research and development laboratories for sensitive, reliable and selecting technology for detecting explosives. For instance, the University of Queensland, Australia receives grants of US$ 100,000 annually for research and development of explosive detection technologies, based on detection of chemical vapor. These factors are expected to boost the market growth in the near future.

North America region dominated the global explosive detection technologies market in 2018, accounting for 34% share in terms of volume, followed by Western Europe and Latin America, respectively.

Source: Coherent Market Insights

Market Dynamics-Restraints

1. Labor intensive process involved in explosive detection is expected to restrain growth of the global explosive detection technologies market over the forecast period

Various border checks are performed on vehicles, luggage, passengers, and containers at border security. This detection is done either with bulk detection or trace detection technologies. In case of chemical trace detection, ion mobility spectroscopy technique is utilized. If small quantity residue of explosives is left on hands, laptops and other items then it is detected by swabbing. In this test, sample is vaporized and chemical ions are separated. If sample is detected, an alarm is triggered. However, this process is labor intensive and becomes slow for large quantity. Furthermore, the explosive trace detection is majorly used at busy places, thus detection needs to be swift enough to process large number of screenings at short time. These factors are expected to hinder the market growth in the near future.

2. Growing use IEDs is expected to hinder the global explosive detection technologies market during the forecast period

Terrorists are increasingly using improvised explosive device (IED) that can kill civilians and military personnel and destroy infrastructure. The IEDs can be in different forms and can be delivered to targets in numerous ways, which makes it challenging to trace by explosive detection technologies. This, in turn, is expected to hamper the market growth over the forecast period.

Market Opportunity

1. Commercialization of low-cost devices is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunity for market players

Increasing use of IEDs has led to use of chemical explosives instead of metal. Therefore, dogs and physical methods such as gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer and electronic detection systems have become more sensitive, selective, and expensive. Development of portable and miniaturized units is expected to reduce cost of equipment. This, in turn, is expected to pose business opportunity for market players to develop low-cost devices to detect chemical explosives.

2. Use of graphene-based spaser is expected to provide excellent business opportunity

 Spaser is a nanoplasmonic part similar to laser. It is a quantum generator and nano-amplifier, in which an intense optical field is generated. Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon nano-material made from graphite, and has various beneficial material properties. It is one of the strongest, thinnest, and stiffest impermeable materials on Earth, and has good thermal and electrical conductivity and is very energy efficient. Therefore, graphene-based spaser can easily detect toxic chemicals, explosive materials and other organic compounds by molecule’s characteristic vibrational transitions. Thus, commercialization of graphene is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for market players in the near future. 

Source: Coherent Market Insights

Global Explosive Detection Technologies Market was valued at US$ 6044.9MN in 2018 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 11445.23MN by 2027 at a CAGR of 7.0% between 2019 and 2027

Market Trends

1. Frequent launch of products is expected is a major trend in the market

Key companies in the market are focused on product development and launches, in order to expand their product portfolio and gain competitive edge in the market. For instance, in June 2016, Morpho Detection LLC introduce ‘Remote Connect’ for its latest generation ‘Itemiser' explosive trace detector (ETD) for airport security. In November 2015, Smiths Detection unveiled ‘TRACE-PRO’, a revolutionary detector for fast identification and evidence collection. Moreover, in June 2015, L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. introduced ‘ClearScan’ explosive detection system for screening cabin bags at airport.

2. Mergers and acquisition among key players

Key companies in the market are focused on strategic activities such as mergers and acquisitions, in order to expand their market presence. For instance, in July 2016, Implant Sciences, Inc. acquired Zapata Industries SAS of Marseilles, a France-based manufacturer company of commercial, defense and homeland security solution products. Furthermore, in April 2016, Smith Detection acquired Morpho Detection, a U.S.-based detection and security company, from Paris-based Safran S.A. in order to provide services to maintain and upgrade its installed base equipment and related products.

Segment information:

In Global Explosive Detection Technologies Market, by technology segment, the bulk detection segment dominated the global market in 2018, accounting for 57.0% share in terms of value, followed by trace detection.

Value Chain Analysis

Competitive Section

Key companies operating in the global explosive detection technologies market are

Global players: Elbit Systems Ltd., Safran SA, Smiths Group plc, Implant Sciences Inc., Chemring Group PLC, L-3 Communications Holdings Inc., Kromek Group plc, and OSI Systems Inc.

China Players: Guangzhou Skyscanner Electronic Equipment Co. Ltd, Tongfang Weishi Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai WeiEn Security Equipment Co., Ltd., Security Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd, Suzhou Aoteng Electron Technology Co., Ltd., and Kunshan Sanxun Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

Key Developments

1. Key companies in the marker are focused on mergers and acquisitions, in order to gain competitive edge in the market. For instance, in January 2017, L3 Technologies, formerly L-3 Communications Holdings Inc., acquired Implant Science Corporation.
2. Key players in the market are involved in gaining contract, in order to expand their market presence. For instance, in February 2019, Kromek Group plc entered into contract with an OEM customer to supply CZT detectors for the use in the nuclear security market.