Real-time or continuous process analysis instruments are a major trend in the market, as end users can use them to obtain real-time information on process stream quality. Industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals and petrochemicals are moving to real-time monitoring, as it eliminates additional production work in laboratories and increases the profit margin of the company. Industrialization and urbanization, combined with population growth, are expected to lead to increasing demand for process analyzers due to the rising need for safe and clean water. This article discusses key trends in the process analytical industry sector.
Maximizing efficiency
There is a growing need to measure water quality parameters in process industries such as water and wastewater, oil and gas, petrochemicals, power, and pharmaceuticals. This has created a huge demand for process analyzers, leading to the growth of this market.
Process control through real-time process monitoring has been a key trend in industries such as water and wastewater treatment, oil and gas, and petrochemicals to improve process efficiency and reduce labor costs. Industries are able to monitor the process continuously, detect problems, and take decisions in real time.
Mergers and acquisitions to expand product span
Market participants are collaborating to strengthen their position in the process analytical technology sector. With a key trend of moving from laboratory to process/online technology, laboratory or process instrument manufacturers are merging with medium-scale participants to enter the new technological space that is in high demand from customers. For example, Buchi Corporation acquired NIR-Online GmbH in 2014 to enter process analytical technology involved in food testing. Buchi, being a strong participant in Near Infrared (NIR) chemical analysis testing, entered into online testing to capture a position in the rapidly growing market space. Similarly, Endress Hauser, a strong market participant in the liquid analysis sector, entered into gas analysis with the acquisition of SpectraSensors.
Emerging process analytical technologies
A key trend in the market includes entrance into new process analytical technology with low maintenance. Customers face pressure from high operating cost and seek technology that improves their productivity. Analyzers, which can be up and running with low downtime and require little manual intervention, can lead to improved productivity. For example, the tunable diode laser spectroscopy (TDLS) analyzer and the quantum cascade laser (QCL) analyzer reduce the operating cost for customers. Emerson Process Management and ABB introduced TDLS and QCL in recent years to meet customer demand.
Compliance with environmental and safety standards
Governments, health organizations, and regulatory authorities impose stringent water quality regulations to monitor water quality for water conservation and for the preparation of fresh water. To meet stringent regulations, huge opportunities exist for advanced instruments and associated technologies. This, in turn, is driving the growth of the process analyzer market in the water and wastewater industry. For example, the oil and gas and chemical/petrochemical industries are among the largest sources of emissions of volatile organic compounds, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, linked to a wide range of health concerns. Emissions of air toxins such as benzene, ethylbenzene, and n-hexane also come from these industries. Environmental regulations and rising consumer awareness about health and the environment are expected to drive the process analyzer market.
These are a few examples of common trends in the process analytical instrument market. The market is gaining momentum and attention from industry participants, as it is expected to be a high-growth segment of the analytical instrumentation market in the coming years. Participants that understand these requirements and cater to them can penetrate the market strongly.
