Microplastic Detection Market Report 2025

The microplastic detection market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $4.24 billion in 2024 to $4.69 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to heightened awareness of plastic pollution, increasing academic research on microplastics, strengthening environmental regulations, expansion of environmental testing programs, and growing public health concerns.

The microplastic detection market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.95 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The growth projected for the forecast period can be attributed to the rising demand for water quality monitoring, stricter food safety regulations, increased adoption of advanced analytical instruments, expanding government initiatives for pollution control, and growing investment in laboratory infrastructure. Key trends during this period include technological advancements in spectroscopy systems, integration of artificial intelligence in detection methods, innovations in portable and field-ready devices, increased investment in microplastic research and development, and the establishment of standardized detection protocols.

Growing awareness of environmental pollution is expected to drive the expansion of the microplastic detection market in the coming years. Environmental pollution involves the introduction of harmful substances or energy into air, water, or soil, negatively affecting ecosystems, human health, and the environment’s natural balance. This heightened awareness stems from increasing concerns for human health, as more people recognize the direct impact of contamination in air, water, and soil on respiratory issues, chronic diseases, and overall well-being. Microplastic detection plays a vital role in addressing environmental pollution by identifying and quantifying plastic particles in ecosystems, aiding contamination monitoring, source tracing, and pollution control efforts. For example, in April 2025, the US-based American Lung Association reported that 125.2 million people - 37% of the population - were exposed to dangerously high ozone levels in 2023, marking an increase of 24.6 million from 2022. Thus, growing awareness of environmental pollution is fueling the growth of the microplastic detection market.

Key players in the microplastic detection market are advancing technologies such as on-filter direct analysis to offer faster, more accurate, and automated testing solutions. On-filter direct analysis allows microplastic particles to be analyzed directly on the filter substrate, eliminating sample transfer or additional preparation, which enhances speed and consistency. For instance, in October 2022, US-based Agilent Technologies Inc. launched the enhanced 8700 LDIR Chemical Imaging System, optimized for high-speed, automated microplastic analysis in environmental samples. This system includes upgraded Clarity 1.5 software that improves spectral acquisition, transformation, and library matching accuracy, alongside an innovative on-filter sample holder for easier, more consistent sample presentation.

In February 2023, Waters Corporation, a US company specializing in analytical instruments and separation technologies, acquired Wyatt Technology for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aims to strengthen Waters’ bioanalytical characterization capabilities by integrating Wyatt’s advanced light scattering and fractionation instruments, accelerating growth in emerging areas such as large molecule analysis and cell and gene therapies. Wyatt Technology Corporation, also US-based, designs and manufactures light scattering instruments utilized in microplastic detection.

Major players in the microplastic detection market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Carl Zeiss AG, Eurofins Scientific SE, Agilent Technologies Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Intertek Group plc, Shimadzu Corporation, Bruker Corporation, Horiba Ltd., JEOL Ltd., Renishaw plc, Malvern Panalytical Ltd., Oxford Instruments plc, EMSL Analytical Inc., JASCO Corporation, Specac Ltd., Measurlabs Oy, Hooke Instruments Ltd., Ocean Diagnostics Inc., and Wasser 3 gemeinnützige GmbH.

North America was the largest region in the microplastic detection market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in microplastic detection report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the microplastic detection market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s recommendations and conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly impacting the professional services sector, particularly in legal, consulting, architectural, and engineering domains. Higher costs for imported technology, software licenses, office equipment, and digital infrastructure have raised operational expenses for firms reliant on global tools and platforms. International consulting projects are facing delays or cost overruns due to increased travel expenses and restricted access to foreign-sourced data and tools. Additionally, clients in manufacturing, construction, and logistics, heavily affected by tariffs are cutting back on outsourced services, squeezing demand for professional expertise. As a result, service providers are reevaluating pricing structures, expanding domestic supplier relationships, and investing in AI-driven solutions to sustain profitability and client engagement amid economic uncertainty.

Microplastic detection involves the identification, analysis, and quantification of microscopic plastic particles typically smaller than five millimeters found in environmental, biological, and industrial samples, using advanced analytical techniques. This process employs technologies such as spectroscopy, microscopy, and chromatography to determine the size, shape, polymer type, and concentration of microplastics for pollution monitoring, ecological risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.

The main types of microplastics detected include polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and others. Polyethylene is a lightweight, durable thermoplastic polymer produced through the polymerization of ethylene monomers and is commonly used in packaging, containers, and plastic bags. Key detection technologies include Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), flow cytometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), among others. Particle sizes are categorized as less than 1 mm, 1-3 mm, and 3-5 mm. Applications span environmental monitoring, food and beverage testing, water treatment, and more, with end users including research laboratories, government and regulatory agencies, and the industrial sector.

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

The microplastic detection market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as custom microplastic analysis, sample preparation and extraction services, contract testing services, data interpretation and reporting services, and on-site testing services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The microplastic detection market also includes sales of spectrometers, chromatography systems, filtration and sieving equipment, automated particle counters and analyzers, and thermal analysis instruments. 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.

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