Motor market driven by demand for higher efficiency

Zurich, Switzerland – The market for low-voltage motors will grow to more than $23 billion by 2017, driven by regulatory requirements that stipulate higher motor efficiencies, according to a report from information and analytics provider IHS.

In The World Market for Low Voltage Motors 2013 Edition, IHS reports that in 2012, the market size was $14.6 billion, with more than 48 million units shipped.

Since the acquisition of Baldor in 2011, when it became a market leader, ABB has improved its market position by continuous investments in the development of high-efficiency motors and improvements in customer service. Over the past two years, ABB increased its sales of low-voltage motors by more than 26%.

“The strengthening of our market position reflects the successful integration of Baldor in our total offering,” says Ulrich Spiesshofer, head of ABB’s Discrete Automation and Motion division. “We are now realizing the synergies that were created by this deal.”

Recently, ABB introduced so-called synchronous reluctance motors that can achieve IE4 levels of efficiency without the use of permanent magnets. Compared with an IE2 motor, the energy losses are reduced by up to 40%.