The market for RFID tags is split into two categories: passive tags which get all their energy from the transmission field for short distance applications such as barcode replacement for library books and supermarket goods; and active tags which contain a small battery that enables the tag to transmit over long distances for tracking higher value items such as livestock and pharmaceuticals. The market for tags as a bar code replacement offers the highest volume opportunity with manufactures are still striving to cost reduce and optimise this label tagging technology. Future Horizons predicts that the advent of polymer electronics will be the catalyst for this market segment. Future Horizons reports that the market for non-label tags was 300 million units in 2003, rising to a forecasted 1 billion units in 2004, whilst the market for label tags was 300 million units in 2003, rising to a forecast 65 billion units in 2010. Future Horizons reports that the market for RFID is being driven by retailers who are demanding that suppliers deliver RFID tagged products for certain products lines, with an inability to comply resulting in the product line no longer being carried. The 2004 Key Market Drivers Report reports on the opportunity that RFID technology offers electronics manufactures in antenna, integrated circuit, packaging and assembly, and predicts the volume ramp-up on a year-by-year basis through to 2010 for both label and non-label tags. The annual analysis and forecast of the worldwide semiconductor key application markets is available from Future Horizons priced £1,150.
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