A ceramic tungsten electrode is a type of tungsten electrode that contains about 2% cerium oxide, also known as ceria. The market for cerium tungsten electrode has witnessed significant growth due to rising demand from various applications such as TIG welding, plasma welding, plasma cutting and thermal spray. The major factors driving the growth of market include increasing demand of readily available, non-radioactive alternative to thorium tungsten electrodes for short welding cycles across end use industries.

Market Dynamics

The increase in demand for tungsten electrodes that exhibit a reduced rate of vaporization or burn-off, provide ease of use at low amps and are efficient for DC welding have led to the growth of cerium tungsten electrode market globally. Increased use of cerium tungsten electrode in electronics and manufacturing sector is expected to change the dynamics of market in near future. However, growing opportunities across Asia-Pacific market; as well as growing semiconductor and printed circuit board industry is the major opportunity area for the market. The major challenges can be attributed to the limitation when used for AC welding and inability to be used for higher ampere applications.

Market Classification and Overview

The cerium tungsten electrode market is bifurcated on the basis of type, application, end use industry, and geography. The different types of cerium tungsten electrode include burnishing and polishing among others. Burnished is the largest and fastest growing type of application owing to its ability to produce a smoothed and hardened surface in comparison to the polished type of cerium tungsten electrode. Based on application, the market is segmented into TIG welding, plasma welding, plasma cutting and thermal spray among others. Plasma welding is the fastest growing application owing to the increasing demand of heat and rust resistant, non-radioactive and environment friendly electrodes. Based on end use industry, the market is further segmented into manufacturing, automotive, electronic, food & beverage, consumer and others. Manufacturing accounts for majority of the global consumption of cerium tungsten electrodes and led the global cerium tungsten electrode market growth followed by electronic and automotive segments. Electronic is the fastest growing market owing to the growing demand for smart household appliances, mobile phones and smart TVs globally.

Regional Overview

The market for cerium tungsten electrode is segmented into regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle-East and Africa (MEA). North America was the major contributors to the growth of cerium tungsten electrode market in 2015. Europe was the second biggest market followed by North America. The market for cerium tungsten electrode in Asia-Pacific is further projected to witness highest growth in coming years owing to the rapidly changing lifestyles and fast growth of automotive and electronic industries in the region. The Europe market for cerium tungsten electrode is likely to grow at a significant rate owing to the increase in demand from TIG and plasma welding applications.

Report Coverage

Market Participants

Diamond Ground Products, Astaras, Inc., Weldstone, Winner Tungsten Products Co. Ltd., Huntingdon Fusion Techniques, Wolfram Industrie, BGRIMM, SUNRAIN Tungsten, and ATTL Advanced Materials are the key players in the cerium tungsten electrode market.

Market Segmentation

Market By Type

·         Burnishing

·         Polishing

·         Others

Market By Application

·         TIG Welding

·         Plasma Welding

·         Plasma Cutting

·         Thermal Spray

·         Others

Market By End-Use Industry

·         Manufacturing

·         Automotive

·         Electronics

·         Food & Beverage

·         Consumer

·         Others

Market By Geography

·         North America

o   US

o   Canada

o   Mexico

·         Europe

o   UK

o   Germany

o   France

o   Rest of Europe

·         Asia-Pacific

o   China

o   Japan

o   India

o   Australia

o   Rest of Asia-Pacific

·         Latin America

o   Brazil

o   Rest of Latin America

·         Middle East and Africa (MEA)

o   South Africa

o   Saudi Arabia

o   Rest of MEA