The North American pump market for sanitary applications is growing along with its food and beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical end-user segments, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan, North American Pump Market for Sanitary Applications. Adoption of advanced pump systems in the region is driven by the aim of these end-users to achieve energy efficiency, reduce overall lifecycle costs, and achieve operational excellence.
Frost & Sullivan’s research finds the North American sanitary pump market earned revenue of more than $1.00 billion in 2012, and the firm estimates it to reach $1.35 billion in 2018. The research covers centrifugal pumps, which include single-stage, multi-stage, axial and mixed-flow, circulators and sealless pumps, as well as positive displacement pumps, which include rotary, reciprocating and peristaltic pumps.
North American consumers increased spending on processed foods, which led to growth in the food and beverage sector, thereby boosting the need for sanitary pumps in the industry. Advances in technology, such as the development of single-use pump systems, have sustained the use of pumps in the pharmaceutical segment as well. Additionally, Frost says the large-scale production of low-cost, generic medicines to meet escalating healthcare demands will offer added opportunities for pump manufacturers.
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According to Frost, peristaltic pumps are gaining acceptance, especially in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, as the use of low pressure ensures shear sensitive products remain undamaged. The tubing in these pumps is replaceable after use to maintain a sterile process and decrease the downtime associated with cleaning and sterilization of a multi-use system.
Intelligent pumps that can provide real-time feedback on system performance guide operators to the location of a system glitch, and thus minimize chances of a plant breakdown or downturn, will further expand market scope. However, Frost says the installation rate of pumps slowed down as several end-user plants shifted to emerging countries to curb costs. Economic uncertainties limit investments in sanitary pump R&D, hampering the growth of niche segments.
