Optoelectronics, sensors, discretes rebound in 2010

This is according to IC Insights Inc.'s 2010 O-S-D Report, which stated that sales of optoelectronics are projected to increase 27 percent to $23.3 billion, while sensor/actuator revenue is expected to increase 33 percent to $6.8 billion. Sales of discrete semiconductors are expected to grow 29 percent to $19.7 billion in 2010, according to the report.

Within the sensors/actuators market segment, sales of devices made with MEMS technology are projected to grow 34 percent to $5.6 billion in 2010 after declining 5 in 2009 to $4.2 billion, IC Insights said.

Sales of optoelectronics and sensor device semiconductor declined by 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively in 2009, a modest decrease that could have been much worse based on the way the year began. Discrete semiconductor and actuator devices also recovered later in 2009, but still declined 16 percent and 12 percent, respectively, overall, the report said.

The turnaround in 2009 was mostly driven by replenishment of semiconductor inventories at systems manufacturers once their markets stabilized following the sharp falloff in product demand that occurred in the depth of the 2008-2009 economic recession.

In 2010, sales growth in optoelectronics, sensors/actuators and discretes will be driven by the ongoing recovery in demand for portable electronics, consumer products, high-speed networks, notebook PCs, cellphones, industrial and medical equipment, and automotive systems, according to the IC Insights report.

- EE Times