X-Ray Detector Market

Market Overview

The global X-ray detector market size was valued at USD 5.85 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 9.97 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 6.10% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Factors such as growth in demand for digital imaging technologies and wireless X-ray Detectors, significantly drives the X-ray detector market demand by 2031.

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with high energy that can penetrate most objects, including the body. Among many applications of X-rays, such as veterinary, medical, dental, industrial, and security, it is most widely used in medical imaging to create images of tissues and structures inside the body. For medical imaging, an X-ray beam is passed through the body where a portion of X-rays is either absorbed or scattered by internal structures, and the remaining X-ray pattern is transmitted to a detector. X-ray detectors are devices that measure flux, spatial distribution, spectrum, and other properties of X-rays.

The most common methods of X-rays in medical imaging include X-ray radiography, computed tomography (CT), mammography, and angiography. X-ray radiography can detect or diagnose bone fractures, infections such as pneumonia, and calcifications, including kidney stones. Moreover, technological advancements in radiography have brought wide-scale adoption of digital radiography in all relevant industries.

Market Dynamics

What are the Factors Driving the Market Growth?

Growth in Demand for Digital Imaging Technologies

Digital imaging technologies provide significant improvements in patient care as well as better outcomes with increased efficiency. There have been significant developments in digital imaging technologies for medical radiography that helps to improve clinical decision-making. For instance, In September 2019, the US FDA approved a new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm developed by GE Healthcare. This algorithm works with portable X-rays to rapidly screen a collapsed lung or pneumothorax. Likewise, owing to the various advantages that digital imaging technologies offer, many key players in the industry have been developing X-ray imaging systems embedded with smart capabilities to cater to the demand.

For instance, Siemens Healthineers offers YSIO X.pree in its portfolio that comes with myExam Companion and AI-Rad Companion, which helps in improving the workflow. In addition, owing to the increase in security threats globally, there is a huge demand for digital X-ray scanners, which further drives the growth of the market. Therefore, an increase in demand for digital imaging technologies drives the the X-ray detector market growth.

Advantages of Digital X-rays Detectors

There has been a growth in demand for digital X-ray detectors, owing to their various advantages over conventional films. Digital detectors are known for producing high-resolution images. They also allow image enhancement by controlling the exposure of each image in real-time to make them darker or lighter on demand. In addition, digital detectors may also decrease radiation exposure. Moreover, with advancements in wireless technology, various digital detectors have been incorporated with wireless functionality that significantly helps in increasing efficiency and makes it easier to use than conventional radiography. These advantages offered by digital detectors drive the growth of the X-ray detector market.

What are the Factors Restraining the Market Growth?

High Costs

Digital radiography system has a much higher investment cost than conventional ones. Many clinics and hospitals are still equipped with computed radiography (CR) systems and conventional X-ray systems. Although digital X-ray detectors offer various advantages, the high cost associated with upgrading to digital X-ray systems might pinch the pockets. In addition, as conventional and CR systems are standard in many settings, extra training required with the newer digital X-ray systems also restrains the market. Hence, the high cost of switching to X-ray systems is expected to restrain the global X-ray detector market growth.

What are the Future Opportunities For X-Ray Detectors?

The Rise in Demand for Wireless X-ray Detectors

Advances in wireless technology have enabled wireless functionality to X-ray detectors that offer various benefits, such as greater portability and lower risk of accidents. Greater portability allows better use in a trauma center or emergency room, as practitioners can more readily move patients through an emergency area. In addition, it also simplifies the process of sterilizing a detector as it does not include any cables. Therefore, the rise in demand for wireless X-ray detectors is expected to provide significant opportunities for the growth of the X-ray detector market.

Regional Analysis

The market for X-ray detectors is divided into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America holds the largest X-ray detector market share, owing to high R&D investments by key players in the field of X-ray imaging, the presence of well-established healthcare facilities, growth in the number of medical imaging procedures, and more use of computer technology in various industries compared to other regions. The presence of major players in the region and the rise in demand for X-ray imaging procedures in medical and dental fields, as well as in several other industries, including veterinary, industry, and security across the region, boosts the market growth. Furthermore, the rise in threats of terrorism and non-destructive testing of components in security and industrial markets increases the X-ray detector market demand. The North American market is growing with a CAGR of 6.7%.

Europe holds the second highest market share of the global X-ray detector industry and is growing with a CAGR of 6.4%. The market is expected to witness substantial growth in the future, owing to an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, accidents and injuries, cancer prevalence, and a rise in the geriatric population.

The presence of major players such as Agfa-Gevaert Group, YXLON International GmbH, Detection Technology Plc, and Koninklijke Philips N.V. in the region boosts the growth of the market. Further, the UK and Spain are expected to register the highest CAGR, owing to a rise in demand in the security field, as there is a surge in the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and explosives in the region. In addition, the rise in demand for X-ray imaging procedures among patients, the large number of elderly populations in the region, and the growth in the prevalence of chronic diseases further boost the growth of the market. Moreover, the rise in demand for pet insurance and growth in expenditure on animal health in the country drives the growth of the market.

Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest growth rate of 8.4% in the X-ray detector market, majorly owing to an increase in healthcare expenditure and a surge in the availability of improved healthcare services. Moreover, the global market is driven owing to the growth of the elderly population in the region. Growth in medical tourism is also expected to provide remunerative opportunities for market growth in Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, high-security threats in the region and an increase in the adoption of security scanning equipment is also expected to provide significant opportunities for the growth of the X-ray detector industry.

LAMEA is an emerging market as healthcare expenditure is anticipated to improve during the forecast period, which creates lucrative growth opportunities for the market players. In addition, the surge in disposable income of the population drives the growth of the market. In addition, high-security threat in the region also drives growth in the adoption of X-ray detectors in security scanning. Moreover, the X-ray detector industry is also driven by the presence of key players in the region including Canon Inc., Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Agfa-Gevaert Group, and Konica Minolta Holdings Inc.

Furthermore, the surge in the geriatric population also provides significant opportunities for the growth of the market. Brazil has the largest share and is anticipated to maintain its dominance during the forecast period, owing to an increase in healthcare expenditure and a surge in the availability of improved healthcare services. In addition, South Africa is expected to register the highest CAGR, owing to a surge in the adoption of digital imaging in the country.

Segmental Analysis

The global X-ray detector market is segmented into type, application, and region.

By type, the market is segmented into flat panel detectors (FPDs), charge-coupled device detectors (CCDs), line scan detectors, and computed radiography plates/cassettes.

The flat panel detectors (FPDs) segment dominates the market, registering a CAGR of 6.3%. They are used in digital radiography by using two conversion methods such as direct and indirect. Flat panel X-ray detector (FPDs) technology and digital radiography have developed rapidly in the last decade. These detectors have proved very successful for high-exposure interventional procedures. Moreover, the benefits of FPD image quality include a uniform response across the field of view, little or no veiling glare, no geometric distortion, and better ergonomics with improved patient access. In addition, better detective quantum efficiency, which reduces radiation dosage during X-rays, further boosts the market growth.

By application, the market is segmented into medical, veterinary, security, dental, and industrial.

The medical segment is the largest revenue contributor and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.9%. Medical X-ray imaging supports improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of several medical conditions in adults, pediatrics, and neonatal. Many types of medical X-ray imaging procedures are based on different technologies and techniques, such as computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, and radiography. All these procedures use ionizing radiation to produce images of the body. Further, the invention of X-rays and computed tomography denoted major advances in medicine, and X-ray imaging is considered a valuable medical tool for a wide variety of examinations and procedures.

Recent Developments

• August 2022- GE Healthcare introduced the next-generation Definium 656 HD X-ray system. The company designed the next-generation X-ray platform to deliver consistent, highly automated, and efficient exams that provide clinical confidence and a streamlined workflow to improve consistency and reduce errors, thereby keeping radiology departments operational.
• October 2022- Smiths Detection introduced an x-ray scanner with dual views. The HI-SCAN 7555 DV has been designed to provide superior image quality and automatic detection of explosives with a small footprint. Eliminating the need to reposition or rescan objects also increases operational efficiency. The effectiveness of the new scanner is bolstered by the incorporation of intelligent display functions, which facilitate the accurate and rapid differentiation of substances.