The general analytical techniques (GAT) market is a collection of the most basic lab instruments, including electrochemistry systems, lab balances, radioactivity systems, dissolution testing equipment, and continuous flow (CF) and discrete analyzers. While these technologies are fundamentally different from each other, they share similar market characteristics. These instruments are somewhat low-end technologies and market demand is generated primarily from replacement sales. Due to the simplicity of these instruments, the service segment, in most cases, is negligible. In addition, the commodity nature of these technologies offers a very low barrier to entry. However, many of these technologies are found in labs across the world and are an essential part of the instrument market.

In 2013, the GAT market grew about $20 million to reach $2.0 billion for about a 1% increase. The 2014 growth rate is expected to be higher, with growth of around 3.8%. The market will reach $2.1 billion in 2014 and nearly $2.2 billion in 2015 for a growth rate of about 3% from the beginning of 2014 to the end of 2015. Environmental applications and pharmaceutical industry demand are expected to be the biggest growth influences in the next two years. Mettler-Toledo and Sartorius are the two leading GAT vendors, with a combined market share of more than one third.

The electrochemistry segment, which includes a wide array of methods ranging from pH meters to titrators, is the largest and the third-fastest growing technology category of the GAT market. The electrochemistry market totaled $815 million, or 40% of the market, in 2013, and is expected to grow 4.5% this year. Environmental applications are the primary growth contributors for this market. Metrohm and Xylem are the leading electrochemistry companies. Xylem, a spin-off of ITT (see IBO 1/15/11), offers a wide array of electrochemistry brands, such as SI Analytics, WTW, Schott and YSI. Other competitors in the electrochemistry market include Hach (Danaher), Thermo Fisher Scientific and Hanna Instruments.

Laboratory balances is the second major technology market for GAT, with a 2013 market share of 38%. In fact, the top two GAT segments, electrochemistry and lab balances, combine for nearly 80% of GAT demand. Lab balances demand is expected to grow more slowly than the overall GAT market. Mettler-Toledo is the leader in this market, with nearly a 50% market share. Sartorius is the second-largest supplier. Other vendors include Japan’s A&D Weighing and Shimadzu.

The market for radioactivity systems continues to be stagnant due to saturation and the lack of innovation and is expected to grow only 1.5% in 2014. The little growth that exists in this technology segment continues to be driven by replacement and aftermarket sales. PerkinElmer and Canberra (Areva) are the two leading vendors in radioactivity. PerkinElmer is dominant in the liquid scintillation market.

Dissolution testing equipment is the second smallest segment of the GAT market with a 2013 market worth $171 million. It is also the second fastest growing segment due to pharmaceutical industry demand. It is expected to grow 6.8% in 2014 and 6.4% in 2015. Used predominantly in pharmaceutical quality assurance and control labs, dissolution testing equipment is heavily regulated. Due to the systems’ many moving parts, the service segment is more significant in this market than other GAT segments. Agilent Technologies and SOTAX dominate this market, with Agilent being the leader. SOTAX has a very strong European presence and, in certain regions, leads in dissolution testing market share.

CF and discrete analyzers account for the smallest segment of the GAT market. However, this technology segment is also the fastest growing, with an expected 2014 growth rate of 8%. Thermo Fisher Scientific and Seal Analytical (Porvair) are the top two manufacturers. OI (Xylem) and Lachat (Danaher) are also major competitors in the market.