Atomic spectroscopy instruments generally provide information about the elemental composition of a sample, based on some form of light used to probe the sample. IBO identifies nine specific subtechnologies in this market, and each has its pluses and minuses for particular applications. The total market demand for atomic spectroscopy instruments is forecast to grow to nearly $3.5 billion in 2013. This represents growth of about 3% for the year, an increase over the somewhat troubled market last year, which experienced only very small gains. While some markets experienced small decreases in sales last year, 2013 should usher in growth for all of the product segments in atomic spectroscopy.

X-ray diffraction (XRD) is forecast to be the fastest growing technique. Unlike most atomic spectroscopy techniques, XRD is not primarily used for elemental composition; rather, it is used to determine or identify molecular structures. XRD has strong research applications in academia and government, as well as industrial applications in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Although budget constraints are affecting those markets, XRD continues to evolve as a technique with more automation and larger, faster detectors offering better performance, boosting both the price and demand for new systems.

The next most rapidly growing markets are inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and ICP-MS. Both are standard elemental analysis techniques for environmental testing and many other uses. ICP-MS has the distinction of being the more sensitive technique, enabling detection of some trace elements at part per quadrillion concentrations. ICP is a workhorse environmental technique, while ICP-MS is gaining ground due not only to increasingly strict environmental regulations, but also more interest in the effects of trace elements on health.

The remaining atomic spectroscopy techniques are forecast to experience growth only in the low single digits. Some techniques, like atomic absorbance (AA), are very standard and generally do not provide much growth. Others, like arc-spark and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), are hindered by continuing uncertainties in the global economy and, in particular, weaknesses in the metals and consumer electronics markets. Looking further on to 2014, IBO expects the economic and industrial situation to improve markedly. Growth for all segments should accelerate through this year and into next year, when growth for the sector is forecast at 5.2%.

While no one vendor dominates this market, several have very strong positions in closely related technologies. PANalytical, Bruker, Rigaku and Thermo Fisher Scientific are strong in the X-ray technologies. Given that these are the largest markets, these four vendors are among the top six for all of atomic spectroscopy. Thermo is at the top of the list due to its involvement in virtually all of these technologies, while the other three firms are more concentrated. Perkin­Elmer and Agilent are major players in AA, ICP and ICP-MS. LECO is a major player in the elemental analyzer market, while Spectro Analytical (AMETEK) leads the arc-spark market. Hitachi High-Technologies was a relatively minor player in AA and elemental analysis, but has recently become a more significant competitor following its acquisition of SII Nanotechnologies (see IBO 12/15/12), which will add ICP, ICP-MS and XRF to Hitachi’s atomic spectroscopy portfolio.

 Pie Chart: 2012 Atomic Spectroscopy Market by Product Type

 Initial Systems   65%

 Aftermarket       19%

 Service           16%

 Atomic Spectroscopy Market Leaders

 XRF           PANalytical (Spectris), Thermo 

 AA            PerkinElmer, Agilent

 ICP           PerkinElmer, Thermo 

 Elemental Analyzers    

   Organic     LECO, PerkinElmer

   Inorganic   LECO, HORIBA

 TOC           Shimadzu, GE

 XRD           Rigaku, Bruker

 ICP-MS        Agilent, PerkinElmer

 Arc-Spark     Spectro (AMETEK), Thermo

 Bar Graph: 2011–2014 Total Atomic Spectroscopy Market

               2011     2012     2013     2014

 $ Millions   3,345    3,396    3,495    3,677

 Pie Chart: 2012 Atomic Spectroscopy Suppliers’ Market Shares

 Thermo                  14%

 PerkinElmer             10%

 PANalytical (Spectris)  10%

 Rigaku                   8%

 Bruker                   8%

 Agilent                  8%

 Other                   42%

 Atomic Spectroscopy 2012–2013

                                2012 Market Share    2013 Growth Rate

 XRF                               28.8%                   1.9%

 XRD                               16.9%                   4.7%

 AA                                12.2%                   2.6%

 ICP                               12.4%                   4.1%

 ICP-MS                            10.6%                   4.2%

 Arc-Spark OES                      6.9%                   1.1%

 Elemental Analyzers (Inorganic)    6.2%                   1.3%

 Sum Parameters                     3.9%                   2.4%

 Elemental Analyzers (Organic)      1.8%                   1.5%

 Total                            100.0%                   2.9%