EMI RFI Shielding Materials Market

The global EMI and RFI shielding materials market is expected to witness high growth and register a CAGR of 6.05% during the forecast period (2018 to 2023). The prominent factors driving the market growth are increasing applications of EMI shielding in electronic devices, growing development of telecommunication infrastructure, and compliance with stringent EMC/EMI regulations. Furthermore, the growing popularity of EMI shielding in automobile applications and surging demand for smartphones in the developing/emerging economies are projected to propel the market growth during the review period.

However, the high cost associated with the EMI and RFI shielding is likely to hinder the market growth during the forecast period.

The electronic devices are both receptors and sources of EMI. The radiated interference is in the form of radio waves and is often called RFI, whereas conducted interference is due to the magnetic field generated by the current flow in the cables carrying signals and power. Electromagnetic radiations, such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, terahertz, and ultraviolet radiations, can penetrate the electronic devices, which may result in failure of the device. The devices if radiate emissions, can hamper the performance of other equipment too. In addition, the emissions radiated by electronic devices, such as desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, televisions, and personal grooming appliances, are harmful to human health. EMI and RFI shielding is the vital solution to limit the penetration of electromagnetic fields, they blocking them with a conductive material barrier. To ensure the desired performance of the electronic devices and circuits, they must be protected from the EMI. This is likely to fuel the demand for EMI and RFI shielding materials.

Plastics and polymers are steadily replacing metals in the electronic enclosure applications, due to the better design flexibility, productivity, and low cost of the material. Plastics are insulating materials and EMI waves easily pass through unshielded plastic without significant resistance. This shift from metal to plastics in electronic devices and equipment is favoring the demand for EMI shielding and is expected to increase in the coming years. Moreover, device miniaturization and rise in clock speeds of microprocessors in the computing devices are further adding to the EMI pollution. This is expected to boost demand for the product during the assessment period.

The automotive sector is witnessing a rapid shift towards manufacturing of cars equipped with advanced electronic systems, such as onboard GPS navigation systems, high-speed microprocessors, touchscreen entertainment systems, Bluetooth capabilities, and hands-free features. In addition to this, the complexity of electronic systems, such as the anti-lock braking systems (ABS), automatic distance regulation, automatic rain sensors, automatic headlamp controls, electronic stability program (ESP) across all types of vehicles has increased. These advanced systems are delivering a high level of driver convenience and are simultaneously creating challenges related to unwanted EMI. The more advanced the electronics related to the engine performance, the more important is the need for EMI shielding. Along with the increasing use of electronics in automobiles, there also has been a significant rise in the amount of interference noise created within and around the cars due to other electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, wearables, and other wireless devices. This is expected to boost the demand for the EMI shielding and propel the growth of the EMI and RFI shielding materials market in the coming years.

The demand for advanced embedded electronic systems in vehicles is expected to increase at an exponential rate with the evolving trend of introduction of autonomous and connected vehicles. This is estimated to create lucrative growth opportunities for the players operating in the global EMI and RFI shielding materials market during the assessment period.

The rising concerns regarding global warming and stringent emission regulations across the globe are the prime factors fuelling the demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. This has forced the OEMs and automotive manufacturers to shift toward the use of plastics and plastic-based components. Plastics are less resistant to EMI and RFI, hence it necessary to shield them. With the automobile companies increasingly switching toward non-metallic components, such as plastics and other polymers, the demand for shielding materials is estimated to increase at a robust rate in the years to follow.

The growth of the global EMI and RFI shielding materials market is expected to be mainly affected by the high cost of the shielding process. The EMI and RFI shielding process is finalized after determining the level of attenuation for the shield, which should comply with the EMC regulations. If the electromagnetic signal’s intensity does not fit the EMI limits, then the part needs to be coated again, which adds to the cost of the process. Majority of the manufacturers of electronics products opt for EMI shielding at the design stage. If the desired shielding properties are not achieved, they need to try different shielding solutions to meet the requirements. In addition, the costs associated with loading and unloading, cleaning, and masking processes add up to the overall cost involved in the development of EMI shielding solutions and thus, the end-product.