Microplastics, tiny plastic particles
less than 5mm in size, have become a growing concern due to their widespread
presence in the environment. Microplastics are now found in all environmental
matrices, from the Arctic to the Antarctic seawater, sediments, rivers, soil,
and even the air we breathe. Microplastics contribute to pollution by entering
natural ecosystems through various sources, such as cosmetics, clothing,
construction, renovation, food packaging, and industrial processes. The term
"microplastics" is used to distinguish these small particles from
larger, non-microscopic plastic waste. These particles pose significant threats
to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. Detecting and analyzing
microplastics is thus crucial for assessing their impact and addressing the
pollution crisis.
What are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles
with size less than 5 millimeters. They can come from various sources,
including the breakdown of larger plastic items (like bottles, bags, and
clothing fibers) or be manufactured as small particles for use in products like
cosmetics, cleaning products, and industrial applications.
Microplastics are typically classified
into two types:
Primary microplastics: These are small plastic
particles that are manufactured to be that size. Examples include microbeads
used in personal care products or small plastic pellets used in manufacturing.
Secondary microplastics: These form when larger
plastic objects break down into smaller pieces due to exposure to sunlight,
wind, and water. For instance, plastic bottles or fishing nets breaking down
over time.
Microplastics are a concern because they
are pervasive in the environment, can be ingested by wildlife, and may
eventually enter the human food chain, raising potential health risks. They are
found in oceans, rivers, and even the air we breathe.
Individuals can take several meaningful
actions to help reduce microplastics in the environment.
Here are some steps people can take:
Cutting Back on Plastic Use: Avoid products like plastic
straws, cutlery, and plastic bags, especially sing-use plastics (reduce, reuse,
recycle, refuse).
Change Habits and Choosing Sustainable
Products: Look
for personal care and cleaning products that are free from microbeads (found in
some exfoliants, toothpastes, and scrubs). Choose products with natural
ingredients instead.
Wearing Clothing Made from Natural
Materials:
Opt for clothing made from cotton, wool, hemp, or linen rather than synthetic
fibers like polyester, nylon, or acrylic. Synthetic fabrics shed microplastics
when washed, which end up in water systems.
According to TechSci Research report “Microplastic
Detection Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and
Forecast, Segmented By Type (Synthetic Microplastics, Natural Microplastics),
By Technology (Raman Spectroscopy, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
(FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass
Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), Others), By Application (Environmental Monitoring,
Food & Beverage Testing, Marine & Aquatic Monitoring, Healthcare &
Biomedical Applications, Others), By End User Industry(Research Laboratories,
Regulatory Bodies, Industrial Facilities, Others), By Region & Competition,
2020-2030F,” the
Global Microplastic Detection Market was valued at USD 4.87 billion
in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.18 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.52%
through 2030. The market growth is driven by various factors, such as
rising
environmental awareness, stringent environmental regulations, technological advancements,
etc.
Several leading companies in the
scientific and analytical instrumentation sector are pioneering advancements in
microplastic detection. Their state-of-the-art technologies, from spectroscopy
to microscopy, are essential in identifying, quantifying, and understanding
microplastics. Below is an overview of some of the top companies leading the
charge in microplastic detection.
Top Microplastic Detection Companies:
1. Thermo Fisher Scientific
Establishment
|
1956
|
Headquarters
|
Massachusetts,
United States
|
Website
|
https://www.thermofisher.com/
|
Thermo Fisher Scientific is a leading provider
of analytical instruments and laboratory equipment. Its extensive product portfolio
comprises of advanced spectroscopy and microscopy tools such as infrared (IR)
and Raman spectroscopy, which are widely used for the identification of
microplastic particles. Their Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50 FT-IR spectrometer
and Thermo Scientific DXR3 Smart Raman microscope are critical instruments for
microplastic analysis, enabling the identification of polymer types at trace
levels in environmental samples.
2. Agilent Technologies
Establishment
|
1999
|
Headquarters
|
California,
United States
|
Website
|
https://www.agilent.com/
|
Agilent Technologies is a key player in
the field of chemical analysis and has a strong presence in environmental
testing. Agilent provides a wide range of instrumentation, including the 8700
LDIR for detailed microplastic analysis in environmental water samples, along
with GC, LC, IR, and ICP-MS solutions. Agilent’s chromatography and mass
spectrometry systems are extensively used for detecting microplastics in water,
air, and soil samples. The company’s 8800 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS (Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared)
spectroscopy instruments are useful in identifying and quantifying microplastic
particles with high sensitivity. Recent
research indicates that microplastics can break down into even smaller
particles known as 'nanoplastics,' ranging from 1 to 1000 nm. Agilent is
focusing on the study of micro- and nanoplastics and is dedicated to creating
tools to address plastic particle pollution.
3. Bruker Corporation
Establishment
|
1960
|
Headquarters
|
Karlsruhe,
Germany
|
Website
|
https://www.bruker.com/
|
Bruker is renowned for its cutting-edge
scientific instruments used in chemical analysis and materials
characterization. The company’s microplastic solutions include FT-IR
Microscopes, FT-IR Routine Spectrometers, and Raman Microscopes. The
company’s LUMOS II FT-IR Microscope is dedicated to quick and easy micro
chemical analysis and ultra-fast imaging. It is ideal for failure analysis,
particle analysis and QC troubleshooting. Bruker’s instruments, such as the
Bruker TENSOR 27 FTIR spectrometer, are pivotal in the detection and
identification of microplastic particles in environmental samples. The
advantages of Bruker FTIR spectrometer include top tier performance, quality
construction, robust and reliable results, and intuitive operation.
The company also specializes in offering
imaging tools like the Bruker BioScope Resolve AFM, which helps analyze
microplastics at high resolution, providing insights into their morphology and
structure.
4. PerkinElmer
Establishment
|
1937
|
Headquarters
|
Massachusetts,
United States
|
Website
|
https://www.perkinelmer.com/
|
PerkinElmer is a leading provider of
instrumentation for chemical analysis and environmental monitoring. The company
offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for the quantification and identification
of microplastics. The company's advanced and all-encompassing solutions
enable improved identification and quantification of microplastics, along with
the organic pollutants that can accumulate on their surfaces. These solutions
also help assess the biological impact of microplastics on marine and freshwater
ecosystems, as well as on the food chain. Their products such as the
PerkinElmer Spectrum Two FTIR spectrometer are widely used to identify
microplastics in complex environmental matrices. Spectrum Two FT-IR
spectrometers feature Dynascan interferometer, which is a fixed
mirror-pair interferometer design that does not require dynamic alignment to
compensate for errors, Atmospheric Vapor Compensation (AVC), Absolute
Virtual Instrument (AVI), and Sigma-Delta Conversion, the use of which in
the digitization of the FT-IR interferogram improves the dynamic range, reduces
spectral artifacts, and increases ordinate linearity to provide accurate,
reproducible results.
PerkinElmer’s instruments offer high
precision in microplastic identification, enabling researchers to distinguish
different plastic polymers in water, sediment, and air samples.
5. JEOL
Establishment
|
1949
|
Headquarters
|
Tokyo, Japan
|
Website
|
https://www.jeol.com/
|
JEOL is known for its high-performance
electron microscopes and other analytical instruments. JEOL, originally focused on
developing electron microscopes, offers a diverse range of instruments
utilizing electron beam, ion beam, and X-ray technologies, including
transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and scanning electron microscopes
(SEM). Their field emission scanning electron microscopes (FE-SEM) and
transmission electron microscopes (TEM) are invaluable in the analysis of
microplastics, allowing scientists to study their morphology, size
distribution, and surface characteristics. JEOL's advanced imaging capabilities
enable detailed analysis of microplastic contamination in various environmental
matrices.
6. Shimadzu
Establishment
|
1875
|
Headquarters
|
Kyoto, Japan
|
Website
|
https://www.shimadzu.com/
|
Shimadzu is another key player offering
sophisticated analytical instruments for environmental monitoring. Their
advanced technologies, such as the Shimadzu IRSpirit FT-IR spectrometer and
high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, are extensively used for
detecting and analyzing microplastics in environmental samples. Shimadzu's
instruments offer high accuracy and sensitivity, essential for the
quantification of microplastics in both water and soil. The company has 14,219 employees
as of March 31, 2024.
7. Oxford Instruments
Establishment
|
1959
|
Headquarters
|
Abingdon,
Oxfordshire, England,
|
Website
|
https://www.oxinst.com/
|
Oxford Instruments specializes in
high-performance materials characterization tools. Their X-ray fluorescence
(XRF) spectrometers and electron microscopes are pivotal in the detection of
microplastics, providing insights into their elemental composition and
structure. Oxford Instruments' technologies help researchers track and study
microplastic contamination in the environment, allowing for better pollution
management strategies.
8. Endress+Hauser Group Services
Establishment
|
1953
|
Headquarters
|
Reinach,
Basel-Country, Switzerland
|
Website
|
https://www.endress.com/en
|
Endress+Hauser is a global leader in industrial
process measurement and automation, and they also support environmental
monitoring with their expertise in sensors and analytical instruments. While
they are more known for industrial applications, their sensor technologies for
measuring particulate matter in the environment, including microplastics, offer
significant contributions to environmental research. Endress+Hauser’s process
and environmental monitoring systems provide real-time data to assist in the
detection of microplastics in water and wastewater systems.
9. Danaher Corporation
Establishment
|
1969
|
Headquarters
|
Washington,
DC, United States.
|
Website
|
https://www.danaher.com/
|
Danaher is a leading science and
technology company with a strong portfolio in analytical instrumentation.
Through its subsidiary brands like Beckman Coulter and Leica Microsystems,
Danaher offers a wide range of instruments suited for microplastic detection,
including high-resolution microscopes and particle analyzers. Their tools are
essential in environmental studies and monitoring microplastic pollution in
water, sediment, and other media.
10. Mettler Toledo
Establishment
|
1945
|
Headquarters
|
Columbus,
Ohio, United States
|
Website
|
https://www.mt.com/
|
Mettler Toledo provides precision
instruments for laboratory analysis, and their solutions are highly effective
in microplastic research. Their laboratory balances and moisture analyzers are
frequently used in environmental studies to quantify microplastics in water and
soil samples. Additionally, their Raman spectroscopy technology enables
researchers to identify and analyze the composition of microplastics in various
environments.
Pros and Cons of Microplastic Detection:
Microplastic detection has become an
important area of research due to the environmental and health concerns
associated with microplastics.
Here are some of the pros and cons of
microplastic detection:
Pros:
- Environmental
Protection:
- Early
detection of microplastics in water, soil, and air allows for prompt
action to prevent or reduce contamination.
- Understanding
the sources and distribution of microplastics can lead to more effective
policies for pollution control.
- Health
and Safety Monitoring:
- Microplastic
detection can help assess potential risks to human health and ecosystems.
Since microplastics can accumulate in organisms, monitoring helps
identify potential toxic effects.
- Scientific
Research:
- The
detection techniques are important for research into the impacts of
microplastics on biodiversity, marine life, and ecological systems.
- Waste
Management Improvement:
- Identifying
microplastic contamination is useful in supporting better waste
management strategies and promoting recycling efforts to reduce plastic
pollution at the source.
- Advancement
in Technology:
- The
development of new detection technologies can drive innovation in the
field of environmental monitoring, leading to more precise and efficient
methods.
Cons:
- High
Costs:
- Spectroscopy
and chromatography are advanced detection methods, and can be expensive
and require specialized equipment, making large-scale monitoring costly.
- Complexity
of Detection:
- Microplastics
are often diverse in size, shape, and material type, which makes it
difficult to detect them. Moreover, this complexity can lead to
inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Detection
often requires specialized knowledge and training, which may limit
widespread adoption in some regions.
- Time-Consuming:
- Some
detection methods can be slow, especially when dealing with large samples
or environmental surveys. This can delay efforts to mitigate
contamination.
- Inability
to Quantify All Types:
- Some
microplastics are difficult to detect or quantify due to their small size
and the fact that they may be mixed with other substances, such as
organic matter or sediment.
- Environmental
Impact of Detection Methods:
- Some
detection methods may involve processes that could disturb the
environment or contribute to further contamination, such as chemical use
in sample processing.
- Limited
Detection in Remote Areas:
- Microplastic
detection is often difficult in remote or hard-to-reach areas, which
limits the ability to assess widespread environmental contamination.
Thus, while microplastic detection is
crucial for understanding and addressing plastic pollution, it comes with
challenges related to cost, accuracy, and accessibility. Continued research and
innovation in detection methods will be essential to overcoming these limitations.
Conclusion:
As microplastic pollution continues to
grow as a global concern, these companies are at the forefront of technological
innovation, providing the tools necessary for accurate detection and analysis
of microplastics in environmental samples. By utilizing a wide range of
advanced instruments, from spectrometers and microscopes to chromatographs and
sensors, these companies are enabling researchers and environmentalists to
better understand the scope of microplastic contamination. This collective
effort is critical for devising effective solutions to mitigate the harmful
impact of microplastics on our ecosystems and human health.
Whether through the precision of Thermo
Fisher Scientific’s FT-IR systems, or the comprehensive environmental
monitoring solutions of Endress+Hauser, these companies are making significant
contributions to the battle against plastic pollution, ensuring a cleaner and
more sustainable planet for future generations.