Spectroscopy

Report Highlights

• The total U.S. market for spectroscopic instruments was more than $3.6 billion in 2005. At an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 7.7%, this market will cross $5.2 billion by 2010
• Molecular spectroscopy, the science of analysis of molecules, consists of infrared (IR), ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis or UV/Vis), Raman, and nuclear and electron spin resonance (NMR/ESR) spectroscopy. This is a large market that in 2005 BCC Research estimates to be about $1.2 billion, growing at an AAGR of 7.2% to almost $1.7 billion in 2010.
• Atomic spectroscopy, concerned more with the determination and analysis of individual atoms, consists of atomic absorption (AA), X-ray, arc/spark, and plasma spectroscopy. This total market in the United States was about $942 million in 2005 and should grow at an AAGR of 6.6% to almost $1.3 billion in 2010.

INTRODUCTION

Spectroscopy is the science of measurement and interpretation of electromagnetic spectra. Emissions and absorption of such spectra can be measured and used in a number of different ways to identify and determine physical characteristics of materials. Thus, this is an important commercial as well as academic science, and the market for spectroscopic instruments is a multibillion dollar one in the United States, and even larger worldwide.

This is an update of an April 2003 BCC Research report on the subject, written by another author with a somewhat different approach to this exciting and highly technical subject. BCC Research's goal in conducting this study is to provide an overview of the science of spectroscopy and of the wide-ranging market for spectroscopic instruments.

This market certainly is not new, but it is very enduring. One of the main objectives is to examine present and future trends of the instruments manufactured. The study was conducted to define the different spectroscopy types and their instruments, and to determine, estimate and forecast the different market sizes, both by the various types of spectroscopy and by their primary markets.

It begins with some basic principles that underlie these technologies and estimates and forecast their markets for instruments over a 5-year period from 2005 to 2010. The goal is to describe the products and markets for instruments used in spectroscopy, the factors affecting their markets and how those markets are likely to change.

In addition, there is a discussion the industry in general and the companies that make and sell these products. A key objective of this study is to present a comprehensive analysis of the current spectroscopic instrumentation market and its future direction, with emphasis on newer techniques and products.

As previously noted, spectroscopy is highly technical, and its products and markets are large and diverse. The industries and applications that are covered are discussed below in "Scope."

SCOPE OF STUDY

This report contains

• Information about the global markets for chemicals and materials for the electronics industry with market forecasts to 2010

• An analysis of the market by end-use products (semiconductors and printed circuit boards in the electronic industry) and also major types of chemicals and materials used in the electronic industry

• Discussion of emerging trends in these industries and technological developments including some of the recent patents in the field

• The important regulatory roles governing the industry and some of the initiatives taken by the user industries and manufacturer

• Profiles of the major companies involved in the industry.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Searches were made of literature and the Internet, including many of the leading trade publications and patents, as well as technical compendia and government publications. Much product and market information was derived, whenever possible, from the companies involved. Information for corporate profiles primarily came from the companies themselves, especially the larger publicly owned firms. Other sources included directories, articles, and Internet sites.

AUTHOR'S CREDENTIALS

Dr. Charles Forman has over 50 years of chemical engineering and business experience, in private business, the healthcare industry and at a major not-for-profit educational association. He is an expert on the worldwide chemical process industries, with specialization in healthcare, petroleum and petrochemicals, specialty and agrichemicals, plastics, and packaging. He has written many market research reports for BCC Research on subjects including polymers and plastic packaging, petroleum processing, healthcare policy and products, food and feed additives, chemicals/petrochemicals/specialty chemicals, pesticides, and biotechnology.