Ion Milling System Global Market Report 2024

The ion milling system market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.32 billion in 2023 to $2.56 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to several factors, including the initial adoption of ion milling for material processing, the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing, a rising demand for nanotechnology, growth in the electronics industry, increased demand for precision machining, and a surge in the demand for high-performance materials.

The ion milling system market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.69 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to several factors, including an increased demand for miniaturization in electronics, the expansion of research in material science, the adoption of ion milling in emerging industries, a heightened focus on high-precision manufacturing, and the integration of ion milling in semiconductor fabrication processes. Prominent trends expected in the forecast period encompass the integration of in-situ monitoring and control features, the customization of ion milling processes tailored for specific materials, a rise in demand for ion beam-assisted deposition systems, the increasing use of cryogenic ion milling for improved results, and the adoption of environmentally friendly ion milling technologies.

The growth of the ion milling system market is anticipated to be driven by the increasing adoption of automation. Automation involves utilizing technology to manufacture goods and provide services with minimal human involvement. The ion milling processes, characterized by high-quality and high throughput, benefit significantly from automation, leading to an increased demand for ion milling systems. As reported in October 2021 by the International Federation of Robotics, a Germany-based organization for robotics research, global robot installations saw a 13% increase to 435,000 units in 2021. The total number of industrial robots operating globally in factories reached 3 million. Hence, the growth of the ion milling system market is propelled by the widespread adoption of automation.

The ion milling system market is expected to experience growth due to the rising consumer awareness of environmental issues. Increasing environmental awareness involves a gradual understanding of environmental issues and recognizing the interconnectedness between human actions, development, sustainability, and human responsibility. Ion milling systems play a vital role in addressing environmental concerns through their unique capabilities in sample preparation and analysis. For instance, ion milling can be utilized to prepare cross-sections of air filters, water filters, and soil samples, revealing the types and distribution of pollutants trapped within. According to a study conducted by Mastercard International in April 2021, 58% of adults in 24 countries are more aware of their environmental impact, and 85% are willing to take personal action to address environmental and sustainability concerns. Hence, the growing consumer awareness of environmental issues is a significant driver for the ion milling system market.

An emerging trend in the ion milling system market is the focus on product innovations by major companies to sustain their market positions. Notably, JEOL, a US-based manufacturer in the sector, introduced the Cross-Section Polisher (CP) in February 2021, which represents a new configuration of its popular broad ion beam milling tool. This enhanced setup includes air-isolated transfer for specimens sensitive to the atmosphere, high-speed milling, sputter coating, and cryo preparation. It is designed to prepare clean samples for scanning electron microscope (SEM) high-resolution imaging and elemental analysis.

Major companies operating in the ion milling system market are strategically forming partnerships. A strategic partnership involves a commercial collaboration between two or more businesses, often established through one or more business contracts. For example, in March 2022, Coxem, a South Korea-based manufacturer of scanning electron microscopes, partnered with JH Technologies, a US-based company providing ion milling systems. The collaboration aims to leverage COXEM's SEM expertise to create new options for JH Technologies, offering substantial benefits to its existing customer base.

In August 2022, Naprotek, a US-based manufacturing company, acquired MicroFab for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition enables Naprotek to expand its manufacturing processes and products, enhancing its comprehensive offering in RF products, services, and solutions. MicroFab, a US-based company specializing in fabrication and micro-machining services, provides ion beam etching, plating, dicing, and micro-machining services, catering to the defense, medical, and telecom industries.

Major companies operating in the ion milling system market report are Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, JEOL Ltd., Leica Microsystems GmbH, Veeco Instruments Inc., Oxford Instruments PLC, Plasma-Therm LLC, Gatan Inc., Denton Vacuum, AJA International Inc., Nordiko Technical Services Ltd., Technoorg Linda Co. Ltd., scia Systems GmbH, Intlvac Thin Film Corporation, 4Wave Inc., Quorum Technologies Ltd., Agar Scientific, Nano-Master Inc., Scientific Vacuum Systems Ltd., EDEN Instruments, Y.A.C. Beam Co. Ltd., Canon Anelva Corp, Fischione Instruments Inc., Ted Pella Inc., ULVAC-RIKO Inc., Unicam Systems.

North America was the largest region in the ion milling system market in 2023. The regions covered in the ion milling system market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the ion milling system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The primary types of ion milling systems are cross-section milling and flat surface milling. Cross-section milling is a technique used to reveal the structure of a region of interest perpendicular to a reference surface. Various types of electron microscopy, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and focused ion beam (FIB), are employed for this purpose. The diverse range of sample materials encompasses ceramics, polymers, composites, metals, and others, and these materials find applications in various fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, geological institutes, forensic laboratories, medical research institutes, food analysis, among others.

The ion milling systems market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides ion milling systems market statistics, including ion milling systems industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an ion milling systems market share, detailed ion milling systems market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the ion milling systems industry. This ion milling systems market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.


The ion milling system market consists of sales of flat milling and cross-section milling. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.