Shortwave Infrared Market - By Component (Hardware, Software, Services), By Scanning Type, By Technology, By Application (Machine Vision, Thermal Imaging, Hyperspectral Imaging, Security & Surveillance, Photovoltaics), By End User & Forecast, 2024 – 2032

Shortwave Infrared Market Size

Shortwave Infrared Market was valued at over USD 170 million in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 8% between 2024 & 2032.
 

The SWIR market encompasses the technological landscape associated with capturing and utilizing shortwave infrared light. Applications spanning various industries including defense, agriculture, and industrial imaging leverage SWIR's capabilities for enhanced visibility, analysis & detection beyond the range of visible light. The market is growing due to increased product adoption in industrial imaging. SWIR's ability to penetrate specific materials, combined with its sensitivity to moisture and temperature variations, makes it useful for quality control and process monitoring in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. As industries seek more accurate and reliable imaging solutions, the demand for SWIR technology is expected to grow.
 

For instance, in September 2020, FLIR Systems, through its FLIR GF77 Gas Find IR Series, provided professionals with the flexibility to use one uncooled gas detection camera for both gas detection and thermal inspections across chemical & industrial manufacturing, electric power utilities, natural gas supply chain, food & agricultural, and public safety.
 

Growing demand in defense and security drives the shortwave infrared (SWIR) market. SWIR's ability to provide enhanced night vision, target recognition, and camouflage penetration meets defense & security requirements. Global military modernization efforts and rising security concerns are driving the adoption of SWIR technology in surveillance, reconnaissance & threat detection applications.
 

The limited supply of shortwave infrared components poses a significant barrier to market growth. Key components such as high-quality sensors & detectors face constraints in production due to material availability and manufacturing complexities. This lack of supplies can cause supply chain disruptions and limit the scalability of SWIR technology. Addressing these limitations through advancements in manufacturing processes and material sourcing is critical to realizing the SWIR market's full potential.
 

Shortwave Infrared Market Trends

The increasing use of shortwave infrared in a variety of applications is a significant market growth factor. SWIR technology has unique advantages, such as the ability to penetrate certain materials and sensitivity to moisture & temperature changes, making it useful in a variety of industries. SWIR is increasingly recognized for its versatility and effectiveness in a variety of applications including industrial imaging for quality control and process monitoring as well as defense & security applications such as night vision and surveillance. For instance, in June 2021, Teledyne FLIR Systems launched A500f/A700f cameras for fire detection and fire monitoring applications. The FLIR A500f and A700f Advanced Smart Sensor ruggedized thermal cameras feature high-temperature detection for extreme environments paired with on-camera analytics and alarm capabilities, ideal for industrial early fire detection or outdoor condition monitoring applications.
 

The growing demand for advanced imaging solutions in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and automotive drives the adoption of SWIR technology. As industries seek more accurate, dependable, and versatile imaging solutions, the demand for SWIR is expected to increase. This trend is driven by continuous advancements in SWIR technology coupled with the increasing awareness of its benefits and the growing need for enhanced sensing capabilities across various sectors.
 

Shortwave Infrared Market Analysis

Based on end user, the market is segmented into defense and military, healthcare & research, automotive, agriculture, oil and gas, and others. The defense & military segment accounted for a market share of over 30% in 2023.
 

• The defense & military segment is experiencing significant growth in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) market due to the rising demand for advanced surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting technologies. SWIR is invaluable for military applications due to its ability to operate effectively in low-light conditions including at night and penetrate certain obscurants such as smoke & haze. Military forces around the world are investing in SWIR technology to improve situational awareness, target identification, and threat detection, thereby increasing their operational capabilities.
   
• Advancements in SWIR sensors and imaging systems have resulted in more compact, lightweight & cost-effective solutions, accelerating adoption among defense and military organizations. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on border security & counterterrorism efforts and the modernization of military equipment are propelling the procurement of SWIR-based surveillance and targeting systems, contributing to the overall SWIR market growth in the defense & military sector.

Based on scanning type, the market is segmented into line scan and area scan. The area scan segment is estimated to register a significant CAGR of over 7% during the forecast period of 2024-2032.
 

• Area scan, as a scanning type, is experiencing significant growth in the shortwave infrared industry due to its suitability for a wide range of applications requiring extensive imaging and inspection. In industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and security, there is an increasing demand for high-resolution imaging over large areas to monitor processes, detect anomalies, and ensure quality control. Advancements in SWIR sensor technology have resulted in the development of area scan cameras, which can capture detailed images across large surfaces with greater speed and accuracy. These cameras are highly sensitive to SWIR wavelengths, allowing them to detect subtle variations in temperature, moisture, and material composition.
   
• Area scan cameras are versatile enough to be integrated into existing imaging systems and automation processes, further driving their adoption. As industries seek efficient and dependable imaging solutions for large-scale applications, the demand for area scan technology in the SWIR market is expected to increase significantly.

North America held a significant share of over 30% in the global shortwave infrared market in 2023. The region has a strong presence of key market players and a solid infrastructure for technological innovation. Furthermore, growing investments in defense & security applications as well as industrial automation and surveillance are fueling demand for SWIR technology. Furthermore, the growing adoption of SWIR in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and automotive is driving growth in North America, establishing the region as a major contributor to market expansion.
 

Shortwave Infrared Market Share

FLIR Systems, Inc. holds a significant share in the shortwave infrared industry. FLIR Systems, Inc. is a major provider of SWIR imaging solutions. The company’s product line includes high-performance SWIR cameras and sensors designed specifically for defense, industrial & scientific applications. FLIR Systems is known for its advanced thermal imaging technology, which includes innovative SWIR products with improved sensitivity and image quality. The products have made a significant impact on the SWIR market, providing dependable and cutting-edge imaging solutions to a wide range of industries.
 

Major players, such as FLIR Systems, Inc., Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Teledyne DALSA, and Sofradir, are also constantly implementing strategic measures such as geographical expansion, acquisition, mergers, collaborations, partnerships, and product or service launches to gain market shares.
 

Shortwave Infrared Market Companies

Major players operating in the shortwave infrared industry are:

• Allied Vision Technologies GmbH
• FLAC Systems, Inc.
• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
• InfraTec GmbH
• IRCameras LLC
• New Imaging Technologies (NIT)
• NITROSYS GmbH
• Photon etc.
• Princeton Infrared Technologies, Inc.
• Raptor Photonics Ltd.
• Sensors Unlimited, Inc. (a part of Collins Aerospace)
• Sierra-Olympic Technologies, Inc.
• Sofradir
• Teledyne DALSA
• Xenics
   

Shortwave Infrared Industry News

• In October 2022, infratec launched SWIR infrared cameras: ImageIR 8100 and ImageIR 9100. These cameras are specially developed for thermographic measurement tasks, which are characterized by very high temperatures and challenging materials. Both thermography systems work in the Short-Wave Infrared Range (SWIR), thereby expanding the company’s portfolio for thermographic temperature measurement.
   
• In May 2020, Teledyne DALSA, a Teledyne Technologies company and global leader in machine vision technology, launched its first Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) line scan camera for machine vision. The new Linea SWIR features a cutting-edge InGaAs sensor in a compact package suitable for a variety of applications including food & packaged goods inspection, recycling, mineral sorting, and solar & silicon wafer inspection.
   

The shortwave infrared (SWIR) market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Component

• Hardware
• Software
• Services

Market, By Scanning Type

• Line Scan
• Area Scan

Market, By Technology

• Cooled
• Uncooled

Market, By Application

• Machine Vision, 
• Thermal Imaging,
• Hyperspectral Imaging,
• Security & Surveillance,
• Photovoltaics
• Others

Market, By End User

• Defense and Military
• Healthcare & Research
• Automotive
• Agriculture
• Oil and Gas
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA