When considering the best approach to interacting with any market, the business strategy should include an analysis of all facts and factors on a periodic basis. The major driving factors should be continuously assessed. The SSFC market, specifically, will be shaped by several major factors while individual niche markets within this industry will be shaped by thousands of facts and factors.
By Robert McIlvaine, President & Founder, The McIlvaine Company
Primary Factors to Consider
The following is an overview of some of the most relevant factors to consider for the SSFC market, refer to Figure 1.
IIOT + AI
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are powerful factors that could boost SSFC company revenues by over 6%. However, if the SSFC companies are not proactive it could reduce the market. Purchasers want solutions which lower costs. The combination of SSFC and intelligent controls is a winner. The question is whether the control or SSFC manufacturer captures the additional revenues.
IIoT and AI solutions revenue potential is even bigger in biopharmaceutical and semiconductor cleanrooms. There is a real advantage to assembling the valves, tubing, and other flow products in a cleanroom as they can be delivered to the customer in a clean state and ready to operate.
The cost of assembly in the customer’s cleanroom is very high. If the SSCF manufacturer rather than the tubing or other supplier is the solutions provider, revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) can be increased.
This trend is also being observed in many non-clean applications. The advantages of pre assembled SSFC systems are significant.
Consumers
The consumer is another big factor to consider. As the world population continues to grow, and the interest in specific commodities grows with it, a bigger investment in SSCF will be required. In general, the SSCF requirements increase with the increase in consumer goods expenditures.
Wind and solar will make steady inroads against technologies which use SSCF. However, over the next 15 years, the impact will not be immense. Offshore wind has a large potential due to the proximity. The problem with onshore wind and solar is the distance between the source and user and the necessity of the transmission lines. For a homeowner, the construction of a transmission line nearby is a game-stopper.
Single-Use
The biopharmaceutical industry is rapidly adopting single-use technologies which eliminate the use of stainless steel. The trend will increase flow control revenues in total but reduce the stainless revenues. The cleaning interval and various safety requirements for biopharmaceuticals cost manufacturers millions of dollars per month; this cost far exceeds the single-use option.
For single-use applications, valves are made of plastic materials and are usually assembled in a cleanroom offsite. The assembly typically includes the tubing and possibly bottles or bags. Some valve suppliers offer complete packages. McIlvaine estimates the single-use assembly market by 2027 will exceed USD $1 billion in the U.S. and USD $3 billion worldwide.
Hydrogen
The SSFC potential for hydrogen extends to the manufacture of the hydrogen and then to its use to generate power or electricity. The near-term focus is on electrolyzes using renewable energy in remote locations. Wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro are all sources being utilized. Most of the hydrogen currently in use is used by industry, but in the long term, the hydrogen fuel cell could be a major source of mobile and stationary power. Direct firing of hydrogen in gas turbines is already being conducted.
Net Zero
The goal to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 imposes potentially negative consequences which could be eliminated by a more flexible approach. One of the risks is the closure of coal-fired power plants and the removal of equipment and structures which could be used for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). This is the one cost-effective carbon-negative technology. A carbon-negative technology can reduce CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.
The net-zero goal does not focus on the concentration in 2050. Once net zero is reached the concentration will slowly be reduced by natural forces. With carbon-negative technology, there is the argument that by waiting until 2060 and then using carbon-negative technology, 500 ppm could be accomplished.
Carbon Capture and Sequestration
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) can be carbon neutral or carbon negative. The Yara approach to using fossil fuels to create ammonia and then sequester the resultant CO2 is carbon neutral. Ammonia transport is a cost-efficient way of moving hydrogen from Australia to power plants in Japan.
BECCS is carbon negative. Forests in the S.E. U.S. take the CO2 out of the air and produce wood used to make millions of tons of pellets. They are shipped to the 4,000 MW Drax plant in the UK. BECCS could be widely used in S.E. Asia where many coal plants are presently under construction.
China
The largest negative factor to consider is Chinese aggression. An attack on Taiwan would destroy 80% of the world’s advanced chip manufacturing capability.
Many international SSCF companies operate in China, while many others depend on Chinese suppliers. China is also a large market for severe service and critical valves. It is in the interest of both nations to restore trade relationships.
Summary
There are several major factors that will continue to impact the SSFC market. Business strategy should be adjusted from month to month based on the latest assessment. The magnitude and likelihood of change are too great to ignore for any length of time.
Reference:
- Stainless Steel Flow Control Facts, Factors, Forecasts published by the McIlvaine Company
