Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensors have gained significant traction over the recent years, due to advantages, such as accuracy and reliability, in addition to the scope for making smaller electronic devices. Industrial automation and the demand for miniaturized consumer devices, such as wearables, IoT connected devices, and others, across regions, are among the significant factors that are driving the MEMS market. The increasing demand for IoT devices across the world is spearheading the adoption rate of MEMS in these devices, owing to the miniaturization trend in the market, for connected devices. For instance, the global number of IoT devices is expected to reach 50.1 billion by 2020 from 34.8 billion devices in 2018, according to The Internet & Television Association. Such increasing demand is expected to influence the MEMS market positively. In line with this the industrial demand for IoT is expected to eclipse the consumer connected devices demand over the coming years; with the sheer number of connected devices requirement and adoption in the industrial space is on the rise, for example by 2025 the industrial connected devices are expected to be more in numbers compared to consumer connected devices, according to GSMA Intelligence. The automotive industry, which is presently experiencing a technology transition, with a major focus on increasing safety, comfort and entertainment, using electronic components, provides ample opportunities for MEMS pressure sensors. Emerging sensor-rich applications, such as in the sector of autonomous vehicles, drones, and AR/VR equipment, are further accelerating the need for MEMS sensors.

Needle coke industry is a primary raw material that finds its significant application in the production of steel, aluminum, stainless steel, silicon metals, and some other ferrous as well as non-ferrous metals. Needle coke also finds its key applications in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries that are in high demand in the automotive industry. Petroleum needle coke is mainly preferred by steel and battery manufacturers. This is because the battery and steel manufacturers working on the EAF technique only work on high-quality needle coke, ultra-high purity (UHP) for the production of lithium-ion battery anodes, and graphite electrodes. The growth of the needle coke market can be attributed to a steady surge in demand for lithium-ion battery anodes to be used in lithium-ion batteries coupled with high demand for graphite electrodes across the steel industry. The steel industry witnessed a growth rate of approximately 4% in 2018 in terms of production as compared to the previous year. Along with this, the share of electric arc furnace (EAF) route of steel production is increasing as compared to that of BOF, and this is further expected to provide impetus to the demand for graphite electrodes, thus influencing the growth of global needle coke market. The needle coke market is a very concentrated market consisting of approximately ten giant players. GrafTech International Ltd. and Phillips 66 Company are the leading manufacturers active in the needle coke market.

The global eyewear industry is propelled by the growing demands for corrective and prescription-based spectacles, especially from the geriatric population. Moreover, several clinical studies have found a strong linkage between aging and the increased risk of developing certain eye diseases that lead to low vision. Visual impairment dispropor tionately affects the elderly. With advancing age, the normal function of eye tissues decreases and there is an increased incidence of ocular pathology. The high prevalence rate of diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, owing to lifestyle conditions, is further known to aggravate the rates of blindness and visual impairment. The accelerating degradation of eyes is boosting the market sentiments of eyewear products. There is ample evidence suggesting that prolonged close-up activities, like reading, playing computer games, and deficiency of sunlight, are linked with the increased risk of shortsightedness (myopia). The increasing use of computers and smartphones have resulted in the rising cases of computer vision syndrome (CVS), which is caused by focusing the eyes on a computer or other display device for long. The global marketplace has also witnessed a significant increase in the “capture rate” among adults, indicating a higher number of eye tests, which are converted into sales of eyewear products. In developed countries, around 70% of adults require corrective lenses to achieve proper eyesight.

Wind turbines are beginning to be used for electrical generation, having previously been used for various other applications, such as sailing, agriculture, and grinding. From an emerging power source, 20 years ago, wind turbine technology has been transformed into a commercial electricity-generating technology in more than 80 countries. While the world has been harvesting energy from wind for several decades, the growing environmental concerns in the last few years have driven the deployment of renewables, globally. The usage of wind power has reached a point where it has become a noticeable contributor to the world’s energy mix. The exponential growth in the wind energy market is supported by depleting fossil fuel reserves, declining cost of wind power generation, growing sensitivity toward environmental issues, and suppor t from various governments around the world, through financial incentives.

Increasing security concerns in almost all the nations across the world is a major driving factor for long fiber in the defense sector. This, coupled with rising threats from various anti-social organizations for countries, such as the United States, India, etc., is further driving the demand for the market studied in the defense sector. Conventionally, thermoset-based composites are used as alternatives for various structural metal-based parts in military equipment manufacturing. In defense applications, fiber-reinforced thermosets are well known composite structures. However, thermoset materials have limitations, like resistance to hydrolysis and poor structural performance in fire regardless of their good flammability resistance when compared with that of thermoplastics. The above-mentioned factors are quite instrumental in impacting on the consumption of thermosets, which are ultimately going to drive the growth prospects of the thermoplastics market over the forecast period.

The growing preference for figure skates in sports and recreational activities, coupled with a rising number of figure skating events and sponsorships, is expected to propel the demand for ice skates in general and figure skates in particular The increasing influence of celebrity endorsement, along with the growing media coverage for such events, is expected to further fuel the market growth. Further, there are various governing bodies, such as The International Skating Union ( International Skating Union of America ( and UK Sport, which promote figure skating events, such as the Olympic and the Paralympics. For instance, UK Sport funded GBP 1 236 million into figure skating for the Olympic winter games held in PyeonChang in 2018 compared to GBP 0 174 million in the Olympic winter games held in Sochi in 2014 This encouraged the involvement of consumers in various figure skating activities in the United Kingdom. Similarly, during 2015 2016 the US Figure Skating spent more than USD 15 million for athlete funding and assistance, sending athletes to international competitions, athlete programs, collegiate skating programs, synchronized skating programs, and awarding performance bonuses In fact, more than 1 700 events, including shows, exhibitions, and competitions, are sanctioned by US Figure Skating each year

The NPWT market is currently being driven by factors, such as the rising prevalence of chronic wounds and growing diabetic population. This leads to a higher number of diabetic foot ulcers and increase in the geriatric population across the world. Few factors are hindering the market growth, which includes the high cost of the NPWT therapy, and complications associated with NPWT devices. The market is witnessing continuous advancements in the products and technologies used. Companies, such as 3M (Acelity LP Inc.), Smith & Nephew, and ConvaTec Group PLC, hold large market shares, in the NPWT devices. Single-use NPWT products are gaining popularity over traditional products in the area of wound care treatment. For example, key players, like Smith & Nephew, have launched a single-use NPWT, PICO, which has gained tremendous popularity, worldwide. Fur ther, ConvaTec Inc. launched the Avelle™ Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (“NPWT”) system. It is the first and only device of this technology, combining negative pressure with the advantages of Hydrofiber® technology. Thus, advancements in technology in negative pressure wound therapy products may drive the market growth, during the forecast period.

The location-based services (hereafter referred to as LBS) have emerged during the past few years, whether used for locating the nearest restaurant, or adver tising deals to those shoppers who are in close proximity to retail stores. LBS provide the users access to relevant and up-to-date information about their surroundings and allow businesses to provide updates to their customers regarding their orders. All these applications of LBS offer a dynamic user experience, providing a convenient method for the interaction of business enterprises with the customers.  The fastest developing positioning methods are based on a combination of mobile positioning and satellite-based GPS. With more popular methods, like cell global identity (CGICTA) and enhanced observed time difference (E-OTD), the practical precision falls in the range of 50–1000 m. These technologies create opportunities for the end users, based on the accuracy needed for the location identification for specific applications.  Location can be determined using E-OTD, observed timed difference of arrival (OTDOA), wirelessassisted GNSS (A-GNSS), and hybrid technologies, which combine A-GNSS with other standard techniques. Better location and accurate speculated time of arrival in real-time can be offered to the commuters and service seekers, with the use of location-based services that track the vehicular movement. This is expected to gain a significant market base, along with the countries across the world trying to achieve their transportation goals as a part of their smart city projects. These developments are expected to create increased opportunities, particularly in the Latin American and Asia-Pacific markets, over the forecast period.

The benefits of total laboratory automation include reduction of human errors in specimen handling, enhancements in overall process control, and faster turn-around-times (TAT) from specimen collection to test result reporting. Across various industries, laboratories are a vital part of manufacturing and scientific research organizations. The primary goal of research and diagnostic labs is to provide high quality and reliable information, which fulfills the industry needs. The use of manual systems hampers data quality during the transferring process. Currently, technological advancements and increasing pressure to deliver results have led to the use of automated systems in laboratories. The adoption rate of automated systems is increasing, due to its accuracy, advanced data management capacity and reduced repetitiveness, and ultimately reducing the human intervention, and thereby, increasing throughput and accuracy. Many core labs are looking to enhance testing efficiency and better manage resources by upgrading to total laboratory automation (TLA). Although total lab automation can be challenging to plan and implement, it is particularly suited to laboratories that conduct a broad spectrum of highly automated testing coupled with sophisticated laboratory information systems. TLA avoids the duplication, delays, and waste that can occur with task targeted automation.

Mechanization in the agricultural sector played a vital role in terms of transformation, especially in the high income countries Additionally, in the emerging markets (such as African countries, ASEAN countries, and other developing countries), the adoption rate of mechanization in the agricultural sector has been gradually increasing, since the past few years Some of the major factors driving the demand for mechanization are rapid urbanization, growth of medium sized farms, and rising rural wages, along with seasonal labor shortages The rising demand for mechanization, along with an increasing number of medium scale farmers, is driving the adoption of tractor hiring in Ghana and other African countries, majorly in the south of Sahara This is expected to allow tractor owners to fully utilize their machines, while providing services to farmers who cannot afford their own tractors. In October 2018 FAO and the African Union launched a new framework that aims to increase agricultural efficiency, while reducing hard work and labor, by helping countries in Africa to develop strategies for sustainable farm mechanization