Customer Experience Driven by Performance and Sensitivity of Modern X-Ray Instruments Creates New Opportunities
This research examines the global analytical X-ray instrumentation market in detail over the 2016 to 2026 period. Analytical X-ray techniques are used for the analysis of materials, including structural and engineering components. X-ray techniques include X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. XRF covers Energy Dispersive XRF (ED-XRF) and Wavelength Dispersive XRF (WD-XRF), while XRD includes Powder Diffraction XRD (PD-XRD) and Single Crystal XRD (SC-XRD).
XRD equipment may also be expanded to include instruments and accessories for visualizing an object’s internal structure. Such analytical methods provide precise qualitative and quantitative knowledge on the material composition and structure. SC-XRD used to analyze a sample’s crystal structure, is a non-destructive analytical technique that provides detailed information about the internal lattice of crystalline substances, including unit cell dimensions, bond-lengths, bond-angles, and details of site-ordering. The technique is primarily used in R&D laboratories.
XRF includes ED-XRF, total reflection (T-XRF), micro-XRF, and handheld XRF. ED-XRF is used to determine the elemental and chemical analysis of various types of solids, liquids, and powdered samples. Identification of elements and their concentration is possible. It is used to detect the element up to 100 parts per billion. The analysis is highly accurate and sensitive to be used for heavy metal analysis.
WD-XRF spectrometry is used for the elemental analysis of solids and liquids. Sample preparation of the technique is simple. WD XRF is suitable for the detection of light and rare elements.
Analytical X-ray Instrumentation manufacturers offer global services, access to the library of instruments and applications, and multiple support contract levels. Companies also offer premium support contracts to prioritize fast-track options. Asia-Pacific, including India, are growth areas due to the strong application of X-ray systems in the region’s pharmaceutical sector. Germany, France, United Kingdom, and Italy are key growth areas in the European region driven by demand for X-ray systems. Revenue is calculated through revenue estimates of manufacturers and distributors.
Research Highlights
Key trends shaping the market are as follows:
- Demand for handheld analyzers will fuel market growth.
- Manufacturers’ initiatives to improve equipment sensitivity will result in high demand for X-ray instrumentation.
- T-XRF instruments will replace ICP spectrometers for trace elemental analysis.
- Competitors offer various form factors for different requirements, including benchtop, sequential, and X-ray systems suited for heavy samples and high throughput applications.
- There is increasing customer awareness about the cost of ownership, which is better for the company’s profit than the initial cost of the system.
Key market challenges customers encounter include:
- Consolidation among X-ray manufacturers reduces product innovation in the market.
- Funding challenges in academics and university sector are expected to reduce demand for high-end analytical X-ray instrumentation.
- COVID-19 has reduced demand for XRD and XRF analyzers in cement, semiconductor, and research applications.
- The maturity of the cement and building materials market in North America and Europe will reduce the unit sales of analytical X-ray instrumentation.
Key opportunities in the market are from Latin America and Africa:
- Developing economies, including Latin American and African countries, are forecast to record strong growth in various industry verticals, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductor, cement, and academic research.
- Analytical X-ray instrumentation will be in high demand in different applications, including XRD for structural analysis in pharmaceuticals, XRF in elemental analysis of cement and building materials, and WD-XRF in the analysis of lighter elements in materials research.
- Revenues in the consumer electronics segment in Africa and Latin America are forecast to show an annual growth rate of more than 5% and 10% from 2020 to 2024, respectively.
- As the countries are expected to order high-end equipment, manufacturers should be equipped to offer customers training.
