Abstract
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
The global market for microscopes and accessories was worth about $2.4 billion
in 2008. In the midst of a global economic decline, sales are projected to
fall to $2.1 billion in 2009, but are expected to rise to $3.6 billion in
2014, for a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%. The microscopes segment
makes up the bulk of the market, with sales of $2 billion in 2008. Sales are
projected to fall in 2009 to $1.7 billion, but rebound by 2014 to $3.1
billion, for a CAGR of 12.4%. Accessories and supplies make up the remainder
of the market with sales in 2008 of $360 million, increasing slightly in 2009
to about $374 million, and reaching $513 million in 2014, for a CAGR of 6.5%.
INTRODUCTION
STUDY BACKGROUND
The field of microscopy has undergone an enormous evolution since the earliest
optical microscopes were developed in the 1600s. The optical microscope has
been refined continuously since its introduction, resulting in today' s superb
scientific instruments. However, the optical microscope is ultimately limited
in the minimum size and nature of the features it can resolve by
manufacturability constraints and, ultimately, the physics of light itself.
New microscopy technologies have been developed to overcome these limitations,
such as electron, scanning probe, and focused ion beam microscopy. The field
of microscopy continues to evolve rapidly, as new requirements and imaging
technologies are developed. While optical microscopes once accounted for the
bulk of all microscopes sold in the world today, they are in the minority
today.
While microscopes today are a billion-dollar industry, their true importance
lies in the activities they make possible, such as life-sciences research,
microelectronics, and advanced-materials science. Microscopy is particularly
important to the expanding field of nanotechnology.
STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of this study is to provide the reader with an understanding of
developments in microscopy technologies and applications that will influence
the future size and structure of the market for various types of microscope
and microscope accessories. Specific objectives include identifying segments
of the microscopy market with the greatest commercial potential in the near to
mid-term (2009 to 2014), identifying and, where possible, quantifying the key
demand drivers, projecting future demand for different types of microscope,
and evaluating the technical and other challenges that must be overcome for
the market to realize its full potential
INTENDED AUDIENCE
The report is intended especially for manufacturers and vendors of microscopes
and related accessories. Other readers who should find it particularly useful
include entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists and other readers with a
need to know where the microscopy market is headed over the next 5 years. The
report should also be of interest to end-users such as nanotechnology
companies, whose technology road maps may make critical assumptions about the
availability and performance of different materials characterization
technologies, including microscopes. Other potential readers include members
of technical and professional organizations such as ASM International and the
American Society for Nondestructive Testing.
SCOPE OF REPORT
The report addresses the global market for microscopes and microscope
accessories over the period from 2008 through 2014, including:
- Optical (light) microscopes
- Electron microscopes
- Scanning probe microscopes
- Other types of microscope (e.g., focused ion beam, confocal)
- Microscope accessories.
The report includes the following major elements:
- Executive summary
- Definitions
- Brief history of microscopy
- Microscope technologies
- Patent analysis
- Major end-uses and applications
- Global market trends by type of instrument, end-user segment, geographical
region
- Technology trends, limits and; challenges
- Industry structure (e.g., firm size and financial performance, ownership,
market shares).
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
The findings and conclusions of this report are based on information gathered
from industry sources, including microscope manufacturers and users.
Interview data were combined with information gathered through an extensive
review of secondary sources, such as trade publications, trade associations,
company literature, and online databases to produce the projections contained
in this report.
The base year for analysis and projection is 2008. With 2008 as a baseline,
market projections were developed for 2009 to 2014. These projections are
based on a combination of a consensus among the primary contacts combined with
our understanding of the key market drivers and their impact from a historical
and analytical perspective. The analytical methodologies used to generate the
market estimates are described in detail in the section on Detailed Market
Projections.
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