According to a report on businessweekly.co.uk, the surge in orders for RFID in 2009 will create a 5% percent rise in the global RFID market this year to $5.56 billion. The report found that the US, China, Japan and the UK have been the most active in pursuing RFID projects in 2009. The report looks at alll types of RFID projects, from payments cards and e-passports to those used for shipping and logistics.
The two biggest orders of the year so far have been the UK’s $570 e-passport upgrade and the US Army’s $428 million RFID III program. These figures seem puny when compared to last year’s whopping $6 billion China National ID card project, yet overall the industry is growing as the technology becomes more widespread globally. For instance, in 2009 both Lithuania and Trinidad placed multi-million dollar orders for RFID.
This year’s growth can also be attributed to RFID making its way into new industries. IDTechEX staff members touring China found RFID technology applied in unconventional contexts, such as in checks and on high-speed fishing boats to prevent collisions.
Further analysis of other emerging markets, such as the postal sector, will take place at the RFID Europe conference in Cambridge September 29-30.