Scanning Electron Microscope Market

Market Overview

The global scanning electron microscope market size was valued at USD 3.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 7.2 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 8.2% during the projected period (2023–2031).

Electron microscopy is a technique for acquiring high-resolution images of biological and non-biological samples. It is utilized extensively in biomedical research to examine the intricate structure of tissues, cells, organelles, and macromolecular complexes. These images have a high resolution because of the use of electrons as the source of illumination radiation. In addition, electron microscopy uses several auxiliary techniques, such as thin sectioning, immunolabeling, and negative staining, for various research applications. Images produced by electron microscopy provide crucial information regarding the structural basis of cell function and disease.

Market Dynamics

Global Scanning Electron Microscope Market Drivers

Increasing R&D Activities in the Field of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology refers to studying materials at atomic, molecular, and macromolecular levels, requiring technologically advanced and high-resolution microscopes. As nanotechnology has applications in most of the areas of semiconductors, life sciences, and material sciences that significantly affect the economy of any nation, it promotes government organizations and other corporate enterprises to support R&D via public funding. The scanning electron microscope market is also observing higher growth because of various driving factors. It is one of the most vital devices to analyze nanomaterials at the atomic scale in many pharmaceutical industries, medical devices, and numerous industry verticals.

In addition, global researchers and scientists increasingly adopt a scanning electron microscope to study topography, composition, and naturally occurring materials. For example, the Zeiss Gemini 500 is a high-resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) that delivers nanoscale imaging from 100 mm diameter wafers to small pieces. It has excellent resolution and image quality at high and low accelerating voltages.

Furthermore, scanning electron microscopes have enabled ecologists to study more about microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, than was earlier impossible. This microscopic tool has also made an obvious growth momentum, as it is used in numerous industries, including medical devices, semiconductors, microelectronics, general manufacturing, food processing, and others. The constant rise in investments in nanotechnology is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Product Innovations

Product innovations will be a major factor in guiding the growth of the microscopes market. To develop their product portfolio and gain a better market share, market suppliers are increasingly concentrating on advancing and launching technologically enhanced and advanced microscopes. Technologically advanced microscopy products offer a competitive edge to manufacturers. The intense level of competition in the market necessitates constant technological development. Therefore, market players are increasingly focusing on software-based modification to remain competitive.

In August 2020, JEOL Ltd. announced the launch of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the JSM-IT700HR. It is used in various fields, such as semiconductors, metals, nanotechnology, medicine, ceramics, and biology. In November 2017, Olympus Corporation launched two upright FV3000 confocal laser scanning microscopes. These products utilize lasers to scan a sample marked with fluorochrome and identify the weak fluorescence emitted by the sample. The growing investments by market suppliers in R&D activities will further assist product innovations in the scanning electron microscopes market.

Global Scanning Electron Microscope Market Restraint

Complexities Associated with Sample Preparation and Instrumentation

Advanced microscopes have a very complex instrumentation and sample preparation process, which requires special techniques. Samples are either structurally altered or destroyed when viewed under these microscopes, which is expected to restrain market growth. For example, only dry and conductive samples can be viewed using an electron microscope. Biological samples must be completely dry owing to the high vacuum surroundings of the mounting chamber. Therefore, many samples comprising live cells and tissues must be chemically fixed by treatment with formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde to preserve the native structure. This restricts the viewing of hydrated biological specimens using an electron microscope.

Additionally, images captured by an electron microscope have been shown to be inaccurate representations of sample structures because of modifications made to the samples prior to microscopy. The introduction of an environmental scanning electron microscope has enabled the use of wet samples, which protects them from destruction, thereby reducing complexity in sample preparation. R&D is expected to help overcome this restraint, which is anticipated to propel the market growth over the forecast period.

Global Scanning Electron Microscope Market Opportunities

Rapidly Growing Semiconductor Industry

Semiconductor device manufacturing requires scanning electron microscopes significantly for procedures such as coating, lithography, failure analysis, and detection. The rise of the semiconductor industry at a swift pace in nations such as China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan, owing to the outsourcing of electric equipment manufacturing in the region, is a major driver of the scanning electron microscope market. According to Semiconductor Industry Association 2018, China held over 47.5 % of the world's market share for semiconductor products. Global sales in the semiconductor industry are expected to rise during the forecast period owing to the rapid growth of demand in electronic and renewable energy industries. These factors are expected to serve the market as opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Region-wise, the global market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global scanning electron microscope market shareholder, expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific includes China, Japan, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Oceanic Islands. Japan is the largest provider of state-of-the-art microscopes, with some of the top companies in the country. Japanese manufacturers have also pioneered various advancements in SEM and provided compact solutions for the varying needs of SEM in the market. The manufacturers also provide the required training and services for SEM systems' long and durable life. For instance, in November 2017, Olympus Corporation announced the two forms of upright FV3000 confocal laser scanning microscopes. These products utilize lasers for scanning a sample marked with fluorochrome and identifying the weak fluorescence released by the sample.

Additionally, India is the fastest-growing market in scanning electron microscopes in the Asia-Pacific due to the rapid growth of the semiconductor industry. According to India Electronics & Semiconductor Association, the Indian Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) market in the country grew by 26.7% in 2020. This growth can be attributed to the local manufacturing of telecommunication equipment by OEM and EMS companies.

North America is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. Major factors contributing to the growth of this region are the presence of major research institutes in various industries, the development of advanced devices due to high R&D spending, the growing focus on life sciences and nanotechnology, and the launch of advanced microscopy devices. In August 2020, JEOL Ltd. announced the launch of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)—JSM-IT700HR. It is used in various fields, such as semiconductors, metals, nanotechnology, medicine, ceramics, and biology. Similarly, in November 2019, Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the Thermo Scientific Phenom ParticleX desktop scanning electron microscope solution designed to offer additive manufacturing companies and automotive suppliers a quicker quality control analysis of materials used in development and production.

Furthermore, in May 2017, Hitachi High Technologies Corp. launched the Regulus series of field emission scanning electron microscopes. This series of microscopes will improve functionality with enhanced resolution and operability. The presence of major companies like Carl Zeiss AG, Bruker Corporation, Nikon Corporation, Hitachi High Technologies Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Leica Microsystems, JEOL Ltd, and Nanoscience Instruments, Inc is expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.

In Europe, increasing demand for SEM for elemental analysis and imaging, growing investments in R&D, and the local presence of major market players are expected to drive market growth. Germany and the UK continue to be the top exporters of SEM in developed Europe. Technological developments in SEM and growing business activities such as launching new products and mergers and acquisitions are major market drivers. For instance, in December 2020, ZEISS introduced three new types of field emission SEM and ZEISS Gemini 3 column. The new models, ZEISS GeminiSEM 360, 460, and 560, are designed for analytics and sub-nanometer imaging. Key players in this market are Carl Zeiss, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Danish Micro Engineering, JEOL Ltd., Leica Microsystems (Danaher Corp.), Nikon Corporation, and Olympus Corporation.

The Middle East and Africa scanning electron microscope market comprises Middle Eastern and African regions. Cost is the major hindrance to market growth in the Middle East and Africa. The customers in this region expect integrated value propositions that cover clinical and economic aspects from manufacturing companies. The cost of manufacturing and implementing SEM systems is very high, which is unaffordable for the general population. However, the Middle East market has a comparatively higher share owing to government investments in developing and promoting nanotechnology research.

Segmental Analysis

The global scanning electron microscope market is segmented into end-user.

Based on end-user, the global market is categorized into material science, nanotechnology, life science, semiconductors, and other applications. 

The Life science segment is the highest contributor to the market and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period. SEM is used in numerous fields of biological science, such as studying molecular and cell biology for investigating cell microbiology and morphology and exploring viruses and bacteria and their interactions with surfaces, other cells, and each other. SEM has been approved for investigating cell reactions to cryopreservation and developing suitable media for cryopreservation while reducing damage from rapid freezing. In addition, SEMs have been useful for exploring the effects of antibiotics on bacterial morphology and ultrastructure to enhance understanding of their mechanism of action. This microscope is used in forensic science to investigate trace evidence, such as fingerprints, gunshot residue, fibers, hair, and glass paint fragments. SEMs can be used to investigate the factors that lead to death, including analysis of the soil surrounding the damaged tissue or body.

Nanotechnology refers to studying materials at atomic, molecular, and macromolecular levels, requiring technologically advanced and high-resolution microscopes. SEM is a powerful instrument for studying nanomaterials in the material science, biomedical, and biological world. Nano-level viewing of specimens and materials can help develop new technologies to help humans in various applications. As nanotechnology has applications in most material sciences, life sciences, and semiconductors, increasing demand for nanotechnology-based research and subsequent increase in funding is predicted to propel market development over the forecast period. Furthermore, nanotechnology can solve major health problems, aid in cleaning the environment, and increase energy consumption efficiency. It can also help various industries to reduce certain costs and increase production.

The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) has become one of the most prominent instruments for materials science characterization. In materials science, SEMs are utilized for quality control, research, and failure analysis. Nanofibers, nanotubes, high mesoporous architecture, temperature superconductors, and alloy strength investigations and research rely heavily on SEMs in modern materials science. Any material science industry, including chemistry, aerospace, energy utilization, and electronics, is only viable because of SEMs.

Recent Developments

• June 2023 - Following the acquisition of London-based Odin Vision, a cloud-AI endoscopy company with a strong portfolio of commercially available computer-aided detection/diagnostic solutions and an innovation pipeline of cloud-based applications, Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people's lives healthier, safer, and more fulfilling, announced plans to establish a series of Digital Excellence Centres (DECs).
• May 2023 - Nanoscience Instruments strategically partnered with Ivium Technologies, a Dutch manufacturer of advanced potentiostats/galvanostats and battery cycling instrumentation, to distribute their products across the United States and Canada. This expansion to the portfolio of electrochemical research solutions aligns with Nanoscience Instruments' mission of connecting customers to innovative products and services that enable them to solve complex problems, leading to scientific breakthroughs.