This market research report was originally published at the Yole Group’s website. It is reprinted here with the permission of the Yole Group.
A new Yole Group report, Thermal Imaging & Sensing 2025, highlights regional market dynamics and unveils an exclusive event at CIOE 2025, the Yole Group Forum, focused on thermal imaging innovation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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The thermal imaging and sensing market generated more than $7 billion in 2024, supported by a diverse ecosystem.
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Chinese players produced 60% of the thermal image sensors sold worldwide in 2024. The defense & aerospace segment is projected to reach nearly $4 billion by 2030, with a significant demand for integration in light UAVs.
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Automotive market growth is driven by new U.S. AEB regulations and rising adoption of night vision in Chinese high-end cars.
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Yole Group Forum, a dedicated thermal imaging program at CIOE 2025: Register today!
Yole Group today announces the publication of its latest market & technology analysis, Thermal Imaging & Sensing 2025. This report provides a detailed review of the global infrared imaging ecosystem, its evolving applications, and the competitive environment shaped by geopolitical and regional shifts; Yole Group has been investigating imaging technologies for several years.
This new report, Thermal Imaging & Sensing 2025, is part of Yole Group’s imaging collection. Combined with SWIR, MWIR, and Cooled Infrared Imaging 2025, it provides a comprehensive overview of the infrared imaging industry.
“The infrared imaging industry is supported by a diverse ecosystem of players and technology platforms that span short-, medium-, and long-wave infrared radiation. Infrared technologies are now used across defense, surveillance, industrial, and automotive markets, making them a strategic technology heavily dependent on political decisions. Among them, uncooled long-wave infrared imaging, the focus of this last report, represented the largest volume and generated more than seven billion dollars in revenue.”
Axel Clouet, PhD
Senior Analyst for Imaging, Yole Group
While Western countries are placing strong expectations on automotive adoption, Yole Group’s analysts observe that most of the growth in volumes is coming from China, where industrial and consumer segments remain dynamic. In contrast, Western players are concentrating their efforts on defense, surveillance, and other high-value applications.
Imaging market growth: Yole Group highlights regional contrasts and strategic moves
In the new report, Thermal Imaging & Sensing 2025, Yole Group’s analysts detail market opportunities across defense, aerospace, automotive, industrial, and consumer segments.
- Defense & aerospace will reach almost $4 billion by 2030, driven by new light UAV procurement cycles and their strategic importance highlighted by ongoing conflicts.
- Automotive is on the rise, with revenues expected to hit $285 million by 2030, supported by U.S. AEB regulations and increasing deployment of night vision in Chinese high-end vehicles.
- Industrial & consumer markets are slowing in Europe and North America but remain highly attractive in China, where local manufacturers have established large production capacities.
Yole Group’s analysts also highlight the impact of regional decoupling: although Chinese players Hikmicro and Raytron expanded rapidly in 2024, Western companies faced saturated local markets. Hikmicro and Raytron will present their vision of this industry and detail their expertise with a dedicated presentation at the Yole Group Forum on September 10.
This decoupling underscores the strategic role of thermal imaging in global supply chains and its direct link to political and defense agendas.
A dedicated program at CIOE 2025, powered by Yole Group
In this dynamic context, Yole Group is pleased to announce a dedicated Thermal Imaging & Sensing program at CIOE 2025 (Shenzhen, September 10–12, 2025). Developed in partnership with CIOE, the program will bring together leading players, innovators, and analysts to discuss market dynamics, technology roadmaps, and future opportunities in thermal imaging.
Yole Group Forum at CIOE on September 10, at 2 pm
Venue: Conference Room, Hall 8, Shenzhen World
Speakers: Haley Hu, Director of Infrared Division at Raytron – Yueji Liu, President of Overseas Channel Management and Technical Support at Hikmikro – Jedrzej Mijas, Application Engineer at Vigo Photonics – Yuxuan Liu, CEO at Wuhan InRight Technology – Ruihao Li, Executive Assistant to the Chairman at Union Optech, as well as Florian Domengie, PhD. Principal Analyst, Imaging, and Axel Clouet, PhD. Senior Analyst, Imaging, at Yole Group.
This forum provides an overview of trends observed in recent years in both mature and emerging domains of infrared technologies. Invited speakers will share their vision of this industry and their latest advancements… Full program
Without a doubt, the thermal imaging and sensing industry is entering a new era of strategic importance, marked by strong growth in China, emerging opportunities in the automotive sector, and renewed defense priorities worldwide. Yole Group’s Thermal Imaging & Sensing 2025 provides an essential guide to navigating this evolving landscape. The upcoming CIOE 2025 program will further connect global leaders to exchange insights and drive innovation.
Make sure to attend the Yole Group Forum on September 10 and stay tuned on Yole Group’s website!
