Global Radio-Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) Market Outlook, 2029

RFID tags are small devices with a chip and an antenna that are used to wirelessly identify the objects they are attached to by using an RFID reader. The manufacturing productivity of all industries has grown due to rapid economic expansion and technical improvements. The industrial sector is leveraging digitization to provide high-quality, reasonably priced consumer goods. Around the world, governments are moving to encourage automation and digitalization in a number of economic sectors, such as electrical and electronics, oil and gas, machine manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and transportation. Businesses achieve this goal by employing RFID technology to manage plant assets.

Utilising RFID tags in conjunction with sensor systems is the best way to monitor and preserve the output and quality of a manufacturing process at many locations inside a production facility, including cameras, boilers, conveyors, tanks, and pipelines. To track mobile assets throughout the process, RFID tags are placed on tools, production equipment, and process components that go into a final product. Electronic toll collection (ETC) has undergone a revolution with RFID technology, which has sped up, improved efficiency, and made it more comfortable for toll operators and commuters to pay tolls on roads, bridges, and tunnels. Furthermore, the RFID industry is being driven by the explosive expansion of the e-commerce sector.

Additionally, the e-commerce sector maintains stockpiles in warehouses, and those inventories need to be regularly updated and kept. RFID technology is also used by e-commerce businesses to enable them to offer stock updates and manage the extreme volatility of their inventory. The scope of RFID applications continues to expand beyond traditional use cases such as inventory management and asset tracking.

Emerging applications include product authentication, brand protection, customer engagement, and smart packaging, driven by advancements in RFID technology and evolving business needs. The proliferation of mobile devices and wearable technology drives the development of RFID solutions that leverage smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices as RFID readers or tag carriers. Mobile RFID applications enable on-the-go inventory management, contactless payments, access control, and customer engagement in retail, events, and hospitality settings.

According to the research report, 'Global Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Market Outlook, 2029', the radio-frequency identification (RFID) market is anticipated to cross USD 30 Billion by 2029, increasing from USD 19.24 Billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at a 9.12% CAGR by 2024-29. RFID technology enhances supply chain visibility and efficiency by providing real-time tracking and tracing of goods, materials, and assets throughout the supply chain. This improves inventory management, reduces stockouts, minimises errors, and streamlines logistics operations, driving demand for RFID solutions.

RFID technology revolutionises inventory management practices by automating data capture and enabling accurate and real-time inventory tracking. Businesses utilise RFID solutions to optimise inventory levels, prevent losses, minimise manual errors, and improve inventory accuracy, leading to cost savings and operational efficiency. Standardising industry goods and frequency bands has become more of a priority as the business expands. The increasing globalisation of markets and the rise of international trade fuel demand for RFID technology to enable seamless movement of goods, ensure supply chain visibility, and comply with trade regulations.

RFID technology facilitates cross-border logistics, international shipping, and trade facilitation, driving its adoption in global trade networks. Furthermore, RFID technology generates vast amounts of data that can be leveraged for actionable insights, predictive analytics, and business intelligence. Businesses utilise RFID data analytics to optimise operations, improve decision-making, identify trends, and drive innovation, creating demand for RFID technology as a strategic asset for data-driven enterprises. As RFID technology becomes more affordable, scalable, and accessible, businesses recognise the cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) of RFID solutions.

The potential for cost savings, efficiency gains, revenue growth, and competitive advantages drives demand for RFID technology as a strategic investment to drive business success and achieve strategic objectives. RFID technology is being used by the governments of Asia-Pacific nations for military purposes. The Indian army declared in February 2022 that they had begun using RFID tags to track munitions. The use of RFID improved the productivity of all technical operations at ammunition depots and decreased the cost of carrying inventories.

RFID market expansion technology is also being used by businesses in Asia and the Pacific to lessen their carbon footprint. Bridgestone Corporation began manufacturing RFID-tagged tyres in October 2022 in an effort to increase tyre recycling for its commercial vehicle tyre line. A cloud-based system will be connected to tyres with tags in order to track their condition and performance. As a result, technological developments in the industrial sector are driving the growth of the RFID market in Asia and the Pacific.

Market Drivers

• Requirement of the Accurate Data Unit: The demand for accurate data units drives the adoption of RFID technology across industries. RFID enables precise identification, tracking, and management of items, assets, or individuals, ensuring data accuracy throughout various processes. In sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management, accurate data units are crucial for inventory management, order fulfilment, and operational efficiency. RFID tags attached to items facilitate automatic data capture, minimising errors and improving data integrity. This need for accurate data units fuels the demand for RFID technology and contributes to its widespread adoption globally.
• Need for Effective Store Handling: Efficient store handling processes are essential for retail operations, driving the adoption of RFID technology in the retail industry. RFID technology revolutionises store handling by enabling automated inventory management, stock replenishment, and customer service. RFID tags embedded in merchandise facilitate automatic inventory counts, real-time stock visibility, and shelf restocking, reducing manual labour and improving store efficiency. RFID-enabled systems streamline store handling operations, accelerate checkout processes, minimise out-of-stock situations, and enhance the overall shopping experience for customers. The need for effective store handling solutions propels the demand for RFID technology in the retail sector worldwide.

Market Challenges

• Cost: The cost of RFID technology remains a significant challenge for widespread adoption across industries. While the cost of RFID components, such as tags, readers, and antennas, has decreased over the years, the initial investment for deploying RFID systems can still be prohibitive, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, the total cost of ownership includes expenses beyond hardware, such as software integration, infrastructure upgrades, training, and ongoing maintenance. To overcome this challenge, RFID vendors and solution providers are exploring cost-effective solutions, offering scalable deployment options, and demonstrating the long-term return on investment (ROI) of RFID technology through case studies and pilot projects.
• Environmental Factors: Environmental factors pose challenges to the performance and reliability of RFID technology in various operating environments. Interference from other electronic devices, signal attenuation due to physical barriers, and read range limitations can impact the effectiveness of RFID systems, particularly in complex or harsh environments such as warehouses, manufacturing plants, or outdoor settings. Moreover, environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and exposure to dust, moisture, or chemicals can affect the durability and longevity of RFID tags and readers. Addressing these environmental challenges requires careful planning, site assessment, and optimisation of RFID system components to ensure robust performance under varying conditions. Innovative solutions, such as ruggedized tags, antenna designs, and signal processing algorithms, are being developed to mitigate the impact of environmental factors on RFID technology and enhance its reliability in challenging operating environments.

Market Trends

• Integration with IoT and Industry 4.0: The integration of RFID technology with the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0 initiatives represents a significant trend in the global RFID market. RFID systems are becoming key components of IoT ecosystems, enabling seamless connectivity and data exchange between physical objects and digital systems. By combining RFID tags and readers with sensors, actuators, and cloud-based platforms, organizations can create intelligent, interconnected environments where real-time data from RFID-enabled assets and products drives automation, optimization, and predictive analytics. In the context of Industry 4.0, RFID technology plays a crucial role in digitising and optimising manufacturing processes, supply chains, and logistics operations. RFID-enabled smart factories leverage IoT connectivity to monitor and control production equipment, track work-in-progress, and manage inventory levels in real-time.
• Mobile and Wearable RFID Solutions: The proliferation of mobile devices and wearable technology has led to the development of mobile and wearable RFID solutions that extend the reach and functionality of RFID technology beyond traditional fixed readers and infrastructure. Mobile RFID applications leverage smartphones, tablets, and handheld devices equipped with RFID readers to enable on-the-go inventory management, asset tracking, and customer engagement. These solutions empower workers to access RFID data and perform RFID-related tasks directly from their mobile devices, enhancing productivity and flexibility in various industries such as retail, logistics, and field services. Additionally, wearable RFID solutions incorporate RFID tags or readers into wearable devices such as smartwatches, wristbands, or clothing, enabling hands-free operation and seamless integration with existing workflows. The adoption of mobile and wearable RFID solutions is driven by the need for mobility, agility, and real-time data access in dynamic work environments, positioning RFID technology as a versatile tool for modernizing business processes and empowering frontline workers.

COVID-19 Impact

The shutdown caused by COVID-19 has had a detrimental effect on the worldwide market for RFID tags, as it has interrupted the supply chain and decreased demand for retail goods. Many organisations have experienced a halt in operations during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of government restrictions, lockdowns, and workplace standards. Diminish worldwide demand for pricey retail goods in addition to disruptions in the supply chain, which are said to have impeded the growth of the RFID tag industry.

But, by integrating RFID innovation with industrial automation companies, agreements were restored more quickly than anticipated in the near future. Moreover, it is expected that RFID tags will be essential in detecting issues throughout the healthcare supply chain. Furthermore, the economic uncertainty and business disruptions caused by the pandemic led many organisations to postpone or cancel RFID projects and deployments. Budget constraints, shifting priorities, and uncertainty about future market conditions prompted businesses to delay investments in RFID technology, impacting the growth and expansion of the RFID market in the short term.

The retail sector, a significant end-user of RFID technology, experienced reduced activity due to lockdowns, store closures, and decreased consumer spending during the pandemic. Retailers faced challenges such as reduced foot traffic, inventory imbalances, and shifting consumer preferences, which affected their demand for RFID solutions. The decline in retail activity resulted in lower demand for RFID tags and systems, impacting the revenue and growth prospects of RFID vendors and solution providers.

Based on the product types, readers will contribute the highest market share in 2023, as they are essential components in RFID systems as they facilitate communication between RFID tags and the backend systems.

RFID readers serve as the primary interface between RFID tags and the backend systems. They emit radio frequency signals to power RFID tags and capture data stored on them. Without RFID readers, RFID tags would remain dormant, and the data they carry would be inaccessible, rendering RFID systems ineffective. As such, RFID readers are indispensable components of RFID systems, driving their widespread adoption and market dominance. RFID readers find applications across diverse industries and sectors, including retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and more.

They are used for inventory management, asset tracking, access control, supply chain visibility, authentication, and process automation, among other purposes. The versatility and adaptability of RFID readers make them essential for addressing various business challenges and requirements, leading to their widespread adoption and market dominance. RFID reader technology has evolved significantly over the years, with advancements in performance, functionality, and connectivity. Modern RFID readers offer features such as extended read range, multiple frequency support, high-speed data capture, and network connectivity (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet), enhancing their capabilities and suitability for diverse applications.

Technological innovations in RFID readers drive market growth by enabling organisations to deploy more efficient and effective RFID solutions. In today's competitive business environment, organisations increasingly seek solutions that provide real-time visibility, operational insights, and process efficiencies. RFID readers enable organisations to capture and analyse data from RFID tags, empowering them with actionable insights for decision-making, optimisation, and innovation. The growing demand for visibility, efficiency, and competitiveness across industries drives the adoption of RFID readers as organisations strive to stay ahead of the curve.

In terms of the tag types, active and passive, active RFID tags are a growing market.

Active RFID tags are equipped with their own power source, typically a battery, which enables them to transmit signals over longer distances compared to passive RFID tags. This extended read range makes active RFID technology suitable for tracking high-value assets, vehicles, and equipment across large areas such as warehouses, yards, and outdoor environments. Active RFID tags continuously transmit signals, allowing for real-time tracking and monitoring of assets. This capability is particularly valuable in scenarios where real-time visibility and situational awareness are crucial, such as supply chain logistics, fleet management, and security applications.

Active RFID systems provide organisations with up-to-date information about the location, status, and condition of their assets, enabling proactive decision-making and efficient operations. Active RFID tags can store and transmit additional data beyond just identification numbers, such as sensor data (e.g., temperature, humidity, motion) or environmental conditions. This ability to collect and transmit rich data sets enables organisations to gain deeper insights into asset conditions, performance, and utilisation, supporting various applications such as cold chain management, equipment maintenance, and environmental monitoring.

Active RFID systems can be integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) platforms and sensor networks, enabling seamless connectivity and interoperability with other smart devices and systems. By combining active RFID technology with sensors, actuators, and cloud-based platforms, organizations can create intelligent, interconnected environments where data from RFID tags contributes to broader IoT ecosystems and enables advanced analytics, automation, and optimization.

According to the frequency, it is segmented into low frequency, high frequency, and ultra-high frequency.

On a global level, high frequency is leading the RFID market. HF RFID technology is versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications across industries. It is commonly used in access control, contactless payment systems, public transportation ticketing, library management, asset tracking, and supply chain management, among other applications. The versatility of HF RFID technology makes it attractive to organisations seeking solutions for various use cases and requirements. RFID technology offers a moderate read range, typically up to 1 metre, making it suitable for applications where proximity-based identification is sufficient.

The moderate read range is advantageous for applications such as access control, where precise identification of individuals or objects within close proximity is required. Additionally, HF RFID technology provides fast data transfer speeds, enabling rapid identification and processing of RFID tags. RFID technology offers advanced security features compared to lower-frequency RFID systems. HF RFID tags and readers often support encryption and authentication protocols, enhancing data security and preventing unauthorised access or tampering.

These security features make HF RFID technology suitable for applications requiring secure and reliable identification and data transfer, such as contactless payment systems and secure access control. A wide range of HF RFID tags, readers, and components are readily available on the market from various vendors and manufacturers. The availability of compatible RFID hardware and components simplifies the procurement and deployment process for organisations implementing HF RFID solutions, reducing implementation time and costs.

Based on the end user, they are bifurcated into Retail, Healthcare, Logistics & Supply Chain, Transportation, Aerospace & Defence, Animal Tracking/Agriculture, Commercial, Security & Access Control, and Others.

The healthcare sector significantly contributes to the market. RFID technology enhances patient safety and care by enabling accurate identification, tracking, and monitoring of patients, staff, and medical assets. RFID-enabled patient wristbands or tags can contain vital information such as medical history, allergies, and treatment plans, allowing healthcare providers to deliver personalised care and medication administration. RFID also helps prevent medication errors, ensure timely treatment, and improve overall patient outcomes.

Healthcare facilities utilise RFID technology to track and manage medical equipment, devices, and supplies. RFID tags attached to assets enable real-time visibility into their location, status, and usage, reducing the loss, theft, and misplacement of valuable medical assets. Asset tracking with RFID improves inventory management, equipment utilisation, maintenance scheduling, and regulatory compliance, leading to cost savings and operational efficiency. RFID technology helps healthcare facilities optimise patient flow and workflow efficiency by providing real-time location data and insights.

RFID-enabled systems track patients' movement throughout the healthcare facility, from admission to discharge, enabling staff to streamline workflows, reduce wait times, and allocate resources more effectively. RFID-enabled patient tracking systems also enhance operational efficiency in emergency departments, operating rooms, and outpatient clinics.

The North American region accounted for the largest market share, as the region contributes significantly due to highly developed technological infrastructure, including robust telecommunications networks in countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

North America has been at the forefront of RFID technology adoption and innovation. The region has a history of early adoption of new technologies and has been quick to recognise the potential benefits of RFID across various industries. This proactive approach has led to the development of advanced RFID solutions, the deployment of large-scale RFID projects, and the establishment of a robust ecosystem of RFID vendors, integrators, and service providers in North America. North America is home to a diverse range of industries that heavily rely on RFID technology for various applications. These industries include retail, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, automotive, aerospace, and defense.

The region's strong industrial base provides fertile ground for the adoption and growth of RFID technology, driving demand for RFID solutions and services. The retail sector in North America has been a pioneer in adopting RFID technology to improve inventory management, enhance supply chain visibility, and deliver better customer experiences. Major retailers and brands in North America have implemented RFID-enabled solutions for item-level tracking, omnichannel retailing, loss prevention, and counterfeit detection.

The widespread adoption of RFID technology in the retail sector has significantly contributed to North America's leadership in the global RFID market. North America is home to leading technology companies, research institutions, and innovation hubs that drive advancements in RFID technology. The region benefits from a robust infrastructure of telecommunications networks, data centres, and cloud computing services, which support the deployment and integration of RFID solutions. Technological innovation, coupled with a conducive business environment, fosters the growth and expansion of the RFID market in North America.

The RFID market is characterised by a diverse range of companies, each contributing uniquely to the industry's landscape. There are many companies that are operating segments of the RFID market, including Zebra Technologies Corporation, Avery Dennison Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Impinj, Inc., Assa Abloy AB, NXP Semiconductors N.V., Datalogic S.p.A., Invengo Information Technology Co., Ltd., ORBCOMM Inc., CCL Industries Inc., and many more.

• Avery Dennison: in 2022, With the introduction of the AD Minidose U9 RAIN RFID inlay for pharmaceutical applications, Avery Dennison Smartrac opened up significant RFID value for laboratory asset management, pharmacies, and healthcare. The DoseID industry consortium has approved the usage of the AD Minidose U9, making it one of the smallest devices available on the market to gain ARC certification (Spec S) from Auburn University's RFID Lab.

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• RFID market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product type

• Tags
• Readers
• Software & Services

By Tag Type

• Passive
• Active

By Frequency

• Low Frequency (30 KHz to 300 KHz)
• High Frequency (3 to 30 MHz)
• Ultra-High Frequency (300 MHz to 3GHz)

By Application

• Healthcare
• Logistics & Supply Chain
• Transportation
• Aerospace & Defence
• Animal Tracking/Agriculture
• Commercial
• Security and Access Control
• Others (Apparel, Food, Sports, Ticketing, etc.)

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the RFID industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.


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