Together, world metal and ceramic injection molding market is forecast to reach $ 3.7 billion by the year 2017. In post recession period, refocus on increased productivity and capacity requirements in key end-use markets will push demand for MIM and CIM parts as manufacturers begin channeling investments for global competitiveness.

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Ceramic Injection Molding (CIM), a part of Powder Injection Molding (PIM) industry are manufacturing technologies used for producing near net-shape components and parts. As a metal-forming process, powder metal injection molding brings together the design flexibility of plastic molding and material flexibility of powder metallurgy. A key advantage of part production by powder metallurgical process is that even intricate shaped parts require just minor finishing treatments. MIM process offers economical cost solutions for several applications compared to investment casting or machining, and improved mechanical properties in comparison to other net-shaping techniques such as zinc or aluminum die casting. In addition to being cost-effective, there are several advantages stacked in the favor of MIM, including, high-volume production, part to part consistency, high performance, excellent surface finish, weight savings, close porosity, surface finish, and high final density, among others. With properties better than or at least comparable, to those of wrought steel, the MIM process is best suited to produce complex design features such as dovetails, undercuts, slots, and threads with excellent mechanical properties.

According to Global Industry Analysts, business prospects of the metal and ceramic injection molding industry is closely tied to the health of consumer, telecommunications, electronics, dental, medical, automotive and aerospace industries, among others. The industry flourished in the developed nations of the US and Europe early in the decade, and scripted a success story, before being cut short by a string of unsavory events such as economic recession, global reduction in manufacturing output, and volatility in end use markets. Periods of economic downturn, which hamper growth in the manufacturing industry, typically tend to echo downstream into the metal forming industry, as metal forming technologies are largely application driven, and depend heavily on the net output of the manufacturing industry. Falling cost of ordering and stocking MIM parts, and pricing pressures have brought down profit margins for market participants.

Information technology, mechanical, and medical/healthcare industry, which traditionally has been the hot bed for metal fabricators, has significantly cooled down as a result of the recession, thus hurting players in this space. The slumping automotive industry, with specific reference to the United States, has impacted opportunities in this application market in North America. Pressure from the recession, which severely impacted most industrial sectors has forced growth to slow down in the medical/healthcare industry, which was once widely opined to be recession resilient. Also, the MIM/CIM industry will continue to witness challenges manifested in the form of rapidly evolving needs in key application industries like consumer electronics and automotives.

Despite challenges in store, the growing trend towards miniaturization, and design engineers quest for developing newer components with greater mechanical strength, opportunities galore for technologies such as MIM and CIM. In the upcoming years, growth in the metal injection molding industry will stem largely from developing markets such as, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico and India, among others. The rapid pace of industrialization represents the prime factor turbo-charging growth in these markets.

Europe and Asia-Pacific accounts for a major share of the revenue in the global Metal Injection Molding market. On other hand, United States is the largest market for Ceramic Injection Molding. Rapid technological advancements and industrial development in Asian countries provide a fertile environment for growth of metal and ceramic injection molding parts in the upcoming years. Less impacted level of economic activity in developing countries has propped up the manufacturing sector at large. For instance, automobile production in China and India registered a quick recovery following a temporary deceleration in growth. In terms of end-use, Automotive represents the largest contributor to global market revenues of metal injection molding.

Major players in the global marketplace include Advanced Materials Technologies Pte. Ltd., Egide UK, Epson Atmix Corp, FloMet LLC, Megamet Solid Metals Inc, Parmatech Corporation, Phillips Plastics Corporation, Polymer Technologies Inc, Remington Arms Company Inc, Smith Metal Products, SSI-Sintered Specialties, World Class Technology, among others.

The research report titled Metal and Ceramic Injection Molding: A Global Strategic Business Report by Global Industry Analysts provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, company profiles, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The report provides market estimates and projections (in US$ Millions) for major geographic markets including the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World. The report provides market estimates and projections (in US$ Millions) separately for Metal Injection Molding and Ceramic Injection Molding. Market for Metal Injection Molding is analyzed by the following end use applications - Automotive, Consumer, Medical/Healthcare, Mechanical, and Information Technology. Global Industry Analysts

Full Report Details: http://www.companiesandmarkets.com/r.ashx?id=B2IP0BF4I692794