A new report from SDi, IBO’s publisher, reveals that demand for automated systems is impacting sales of sample preparation techniques. For certain extraction techniques, the growth of automated systems is outpacing the growth rates for manual equipment approaches.

The SDi report, “Sample Preparation: NA Prep, Extraction Techniques, and Preparative Chromatography,” covers these three overarching categories of sample prep techniques. The nucleic acid preparation (NA prep) coverage consists of column- and magnetic bead-based separation. Major extraction techniques covered include SPE and sonicator-assisted extraction. The section covering preparative chromatography includes techniques such as prep HPLC and flash chromatography. (Automated systems in the report exclude general purpose liquid handling and automation platforms).

The combined market for all of the segments covered in the report is worth more than $7 billion, demonstrating the necessity of sample prep for all types of analytical testing, from chemical analysis to life science to elemental analysis. The report includes 2025–2030 CAGR estimates by technology segment as well as market breakdown by geography, sector, lab function, and product type.

Automated Extraction

Among extraction sample prep technologies covered in the report, demand for automated extraction techniques—specifically, SPE systems, accelerated solvent extraction/pressurized solvent extraction (ASE/PSE), and acid digestion—is among the fastest growing markets. Automated systems growth will exceed manual system growth in these extraction markets over the next five years due to systems’ higher price points, new products, and regulatory demands, among other factors. The aftermarket (consumables and components) and service will remain the most significant revenue streams for many technology segments, but automated systems are providing another avenue for growth. Of the three techniques discussed here, automated SPE systems exhibit the fastest growth rate and automated ASE/PSE systems the slowest.

SPE

Most of the participants in the SPE market offer aftermarket products, such as cartridges and plates, rather than automated systems. Automated systems are defined in the report as stand-alone systems, distinguishing them from online-only systems utilizing autosamplers. Stand-alone systems automate conditioning of the cartridge or disk, sample loading, washing and rinsing, drying, and elution.

Automated SPE can support PFAS testing, a fast growing application for many analytical testing techniques. For example, automation can be used for US EPA Methods 537, 537.1, and 533 for analysis of PFAS in drinking water. For the higher volume of PFAS testing demanded from regulations worldwide, automated SPE offers higher-throughput and lower chance of contamination. In fact, Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a PFAS-dedicated version of its AutoTrace 280 SPE automated system, the Dionex AutoTrace 280 PFAS. Among its distinct features are non-fluoropolymer-based tubing, valves, and filters. The automation of SPE is also part of Thermo Fisher’s aim to offer workflow solutions for PFAS testing and other markets, for example, the company also provides LC-MS, GC-MS and ion chromatography instruments.

Thermo Fisher is one of a handful of companies offering both automated SPE systems as well as aftermarket products. Other major suppliers that provide both include Biotage and Gilson. Among Biotage’s SPE systems is the Biotage Extrahera, which automates not only SPE but also supports liquid extraction (SLE), protein precipitation (PPT), and phospholipid depletion (PHD), showing a further advantage of automated sample prep. The Biotage Extrahera HV-5000, among the highest-throughput put systems on the market, supports SPE and SLE and can process as many as 48 samples in parallel. Companies specializing in automated SPE systems and less on consumables include LabTech and PromoChrom.

ASE/PSE

Unlike SPE, the ASE/PSE market is heavily instrument oriented rather than aftermarket oriented. But it is a much smaller market than SPE and other extraction techniques. Unlike SPE, which works with liquid samples, ASE/PSE works with solid and semi-solid samples, such as soil, though SPE can be used subsequent to ASE/PSE for cleanup and to concentrate the resulting liquid extract. Among the core steps of ASE/PSE that can be automated in one system are heating, pressurizing, solvent delivery, static/dynamic cycling, and in-cell cleanup, among other steps depending on the system.

Like SPE, PFAS testing is helping to expand the market for automated ASE/PSE systems. Although not specified in EPA Method 1633, which addresses matrixes such as soil and wastewater, the method can be modified to use automated ASE/PSE. CEM offers a version of its EDGE automated extraction system specifically designed for PFAS testing. Other automated ASE/PSE systems include BÜCHI Labortechnik’s SpeedExtractor E-914/E-916 and Thermo Fisher’s EXTREVA. Indicative of its speed, BÜCHI’s instrument can extract 96 samples in 24 hours, extracting six samples simultaneously per run. A company that only offers extraction systems and specializes in automated ASE systems is FMS Inc.

Acid Digestion

Acid digestion is another segment of the extraction market for which demand for automated instruments is growing faster than the demand for manual systems. In contrast to SPE and ASE/PSE, acid digestion is used in elemental analysis. Automated steps include sample handling and temperature ramp.

Key vendors include BÜCHI, C. Gerhardt, and FOSS. Their acid digestion systems prepare samples for the Kjeldahl method, with the distillation step performed on a separate instrument. FOSS’s Digestor2520 works with 20 tubes simultaneously and is designed to control as many as 23 steps, depending on the application. Each of these vendors provides both automated digestion and automated distillation/titration systems, which are sold separately. For example, C. Gerhardt sells the KJELDATHERM block digestion system and the VAPODEST 500.

In additionto Kjeldahl-method systems, there are automated block digestion systems for metal digestion. These include Environmental Express’ AutoBlock Plus, Accuscience’s Metals Digestion System Auto Block, and Questron Technologies’ Vulcan system. The Vulcan system combines extraction and work-up and can run up to 84 samples.

Acid digestion is commonly used for analysis of food and environmental samples. For example, the Kjeldahl method is well-established for the analysis of crude protein in products such as infant formula and milk. It can also be used for detection of heavy metals in food products such as meat and chocolate. For measuring nitrogen in biosolids and wastewater, the Kjeldahl method is also used. Consequently, increasing demand for food, such as nutritional testing, and environmental testing can be expected to increase the need for automated testing. This is true for both Kjeldahl analysis, a measurement of nitrogen from which quantification of protein is calculated, and for hot block digestion proceeding analysis by atomic spectroscopy.