Recession hit semiconductor microscopy hardest but semi nanotech are driving recovery

February 9, 2011 — GIA released a comprehensive global report on microscopes markets. The global market for microscopes is forecast to exceed US$2.4 billion. Key factors driving market growth include technological advancements, increasing end-user demand for premium quality imaging, and surging demand from industrial and biological sectors. Further, advancements in material sciences have also helped propel the use of microscopes.

Over the years, the global market for microscopes has largely been driven by the increased demand from the industrial and biological sectors. Developments in areas involving semiconductors, micro electrical mechanical systems (MEMS), nanotechnology and other material sciences have also helped propel the use of microscopes. Increased demand for high-quality, precision imaging from various end-user sectors further boosted the demand for advanced microscopes such as electron microscopes, and SPMs.

However, during 2008-2009 the global market for microscope reeled under the impact of recession that hampered the growth of the market to a significant extent. Among the various types of microscopes, scanning-probe and charged particle microscopes were severely hit by the recession, as the microscopes are largely used in semiconductor industry. Nevertheless, the rapidly evolving imaging technologies and growing requirements of the researchers, advancements in confocal and electron microscopy, cytometry, laser scanning, and the developments in the quantum dots area are expected to play a major role in boosting the demand for microscopes in the near future.

Geographical consumption

The US constitutes the largest regional market for microscopes worldwide, as stated by the new market research report on microscopes. Japan represents the other major market for microscopes, and the two countries collectively account for a major share of the total world microscopes market. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing regional market for microscopes, with a CAGR of more than 3.0% over the analysis period. Rapid expansion of biomedical research and growth in the electronics and semiconductor production sectors are driving microscopes’ growth in the region.

Microscopes by type

Charged particle microscopes constitute the largest microscopes segment. Going forwards, demand for charged particle microscopes is likely to be driven by the advancements in material sciences and research and development fields, and increased substitution of optical microscopes by electron and other sophisticated microscopes in various applications. On the other hand, registering a CAGR of 2.6% over the analysis period, scanning probe microscopes represents the fastest growing product segment in the global microscopes market. Revival in demand of scanning probe microbes is heavily depended on the resurgence of semiconductor industry and growth in nanotechnology sector including various nanaoscale applications. Other major factors that are likely to bolster the demand for scanning probe and electron probe microscopes include increased complexities as well as performance levels of the devices that find use in electronic products, decreasing geometries, growing yields, and growing demand for enhanced failure analysis processes and techniques. Demand for optical microscopes, the other principal product segment, is likely to depend on the trends in the infrared spectroscopy sector, research and development in the life sciences sector, and spending on the material-science and educational equipment.

Digital imaging

A key trend in the microscopy industry in recent years has been the integration of digital imaging in microscopes. Image analysis has become the criterion for shaping the design of microscopes. Standard laboratory microscopes are constantly being replaced by integrated digital image-analysis microscope systems in academic research. Responding to the growing market demand, the market is bundled with microscopes, equipped with advanced image analysis features. The market offers sophisticated microscopes, integrated with digital cameras and software.

More information

Major players profiled in the report include Bruker Corporation, Carl Zeiss AG, FEI Company, Hitachi High Technologies America Inc, Jeol USA Inc, Leica Microsystems GmbH, Nikon Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, among others.

The research report, "Microscopes: A Global Strategic Business Report" announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of the microscopes markets, impact of recession on the markets, current market trends, key growth drivers, recent product introductions, recent industry activity, and profiles of major/niche global as well as regional market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and projections for Microscopes market for the years 2007 through 2015 for the following geographic markets – US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Latin America. Key segments analyzed include Optical Microscopes, Charged Particle Microscopes and Scanning Probe Microscopes. The global market is also analyzed by the following end-use applications – Semiconductor Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Materials, Nanotechnology, and Others. Also, a seven-year (2000-2006) historic analysis is provided for additional perspective. For more details about this comprehensive market research report, visit http://www.strategyr.com/Microscopes_Market_Report.asp

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