Explosive Trace Detection Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Handheld, Portable/Movable, Fixed), By Technology (Chemiluminescence, Thermo-redox, Amplifying fluorescent polymer, Mass spectrometry, Ion mobility spectrometry, Colorimetrics automated colorimetric), By End Use (Commercial, Defense, and Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 11.55 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.67%
Fastest Growing Segment	Handheld
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 19.02 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Explosive Trace Detection Market will grow from USD 11.55 Billion in 2025 to USD 19.02 Billion by 2031 at a 8.67% CAGR. Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) systems are security technologies designed to identify microscopic residues of explosive materials on luggage, personnel, or cargo through sampling techniques such as swabbing or vapor analysis. The market is primarily supported by the implementation of stringent aviation security regulations and the rising volume of global travelers, which necessitates the deployment of efficient screening infrastructure at airports and border control points. This demand is substantiated by recent traffic figures; according to the 'International Air Transport Association', in '2025', 'total full-year passenger traffic for 2024 rose by 10.4% compared to 2023'. This surge in traffic compels authorities to procure additional detection units to maintain security standards without compromising processing speed.

However, a significant challenge hindering market expansion is the trade-off between detection sensitivity and operational throughput. High false alarm rates in trace detectors can lead to substantial delays and increased labor requirements for secondary screening, prompting some end-users to hesitate in upgrading equipment or expanding deployment footprints due to concerns over operational efficiency.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating Global Terrorism and Improvised Explosive Device Threats is a primary catalyst propelling the Global Explosive Trace Detection Market. As asymmetric warfare tactics evolve, security agencies are compelled to upgrade screening capabilities to counter complex threats, particularly in volatile regions and critical infrastructure hubs. This heightened risk landscape drives the procurement of advanced detection systems capable of identifying minute volatile compounds associated with improvised devices. The urgency of this requirement is highlighted by the intensifying lethality of recent attacks; according to the Institute for Economics & Peace, February 2024, in the 'Global Terrorism Index 2024', total deaths caused by terrorism increased by 22% to 8,352 in 2023, the highest level since 2017. This resurgence in fatalities underscores the operational necessity for governments to fortify preventive measures, thereby sustaining demand for reliable trace detectors across both military and civilian sectors.

The Implementation of Stringent Aviation Security and Air Cargo Screening Mandates further amplifies market growth, necessitating the integration of next-generation screening technologies. Regulatory bodies are enforcing stricter compliance standards that require airports and logistics providers to adopt automated detection solutions to manage growing volumes without creating bottlenecks. Supporting this modernization effort, the Transportation Security Administration, March 2024, in the 'Fiscal Year 2025 Budget', allocated $89.6 million to procure additional units within the Checkpoint Property Screening System program to address capability gaps. Furthermore, the expansion of the air logistics sector creates a parallel stream of demand; according to the International Air Transport Association, October 2024, global air cargo demand rose by 11.4% in August 2024 compared to the previous year. This robust growth in cargo traffic forces operators to scale their screening infrastructure, ensuring that commerce velocity does not compromise safety protocols.

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Key Market Challenges

The operational trade-off between detection sensitivity and throughput poses a substantial barrier to the Global Explosive Trace Detection Market. When trace detectors exhibit high false alarm rates, security checkpoints experience frequent stoppages for secondary screening. This necessity for manual intervention increases labor costs and significantly slows passenger processing times. As a result, facility operators often postpone upgrading to newer models, fearing that increased detection capabilities will come at the cost of operational speed and efficiency.

This reluctance is particularly acute given the immense pressure on airport infrastructure to handle rising traveler volumes. According to 'Airports Council International', in '2024', 'global passenger traffic is projected to reach 9.7 billion, exceeding 2019 levels'. With such high throughput requirements, airports cannot afford the congestion caused by sensitive equipment prone to false positives. Consequently, the inability to balance precise detection with rapid clearance times directly discourages procurement, limiting the market expansion of trace detection systems in high-traffic environments.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is reshaping the Global Explosive Trace Detection Market by addressing the critical balance between sensitivity and operational speed. Advanced algorithms are now being deployed to analyze spectrometric data with greater precision, distinguishing actual explosive markers from benign interferents more effectively than traditional rule-based software. This technological shift reduces the frequency of false positives that cause checkpoint bottlenecks, thereby enhancing overall security throughput without compromising detection standards. The industry's commitment to this digital transformation is evident in recent investment priorities; according to SITA, February 2025, in the '2024 Air Transport IT Insights' report, 81% of airlines have prioritized the implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning for threat detection and analysis to optimize their security operations.

Simultaneously, the Miniaturization of Detectors for Enhanced Portability is driving market adoption beyond fixed checkpoints, enabling flexible screening in dynamic environments such as air cargo facilities and mass transit hubs. Manufacturers are increasingly utilizing high-pressure mass spectrometry and non-radioactive ionization sources to engineer handheld units that deliver accurate analysis in the field. This capability allows security personnel to bring detection directly to suspicious items or freight, rather than transporting them to a central screening location, thus streamlining workflows in high-volume settings. This demand for mobile solutions is reflected in financial performance; according to 908 Devices Inc., March 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results', revenue from handheld detection devices increased by 22% year-over-year to $46.1 million in 2024.

Segmental Insights

The Handheld segment represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Explosive Trace Detection Market, driven by an escalating demand for flexible and mobile security solutions. This surge is attributed to the ability of lightweight devices to perform rapid screenings at diverse locations, including border crossings, cargo facilities, and temporary checkpoints where stationary equipment is unfeasible. Additionally, rigid safety protocols enforced by agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) increasingly mandate the adoption of versatile detection tools, ensuring comprehensive coverage against evolving security threats across aviation and critical infrastructure sectors.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global explosive trace detection market, driven primarily by stringent regulatory standards and substantial investments in homeland security. The Transportation Security Administration mandates rigorous screening protocols at airports, ensuring consistent demand for detection systems to monitor passenger and cargo safety. Additionally, high government expenditure on defense infrastructure and border protection facilitates the widespread deployment of these technologies. This focus on securing critical entry points and public spaces reinforces the region's status as the primary market for explosive trace detection solutions.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, Teledyne FLIR Defense reported the receipt of an order from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 15 units of its Griffin G510x portable chemical detectors. These systems are designed to analyze and identify trace amounts of explosives and narcotics, such as fentanyl and nitazenes, within minutes. The technology enables field agents to confirm the identity of threats quickly, supporting efforts to interdict illegal substances and maintain border security. The Griffin G510x utilizes gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to provide laboratory-quality analysis in a rugged, portable format suitable for challenging operational environments.
• In March 2025, 908 Devices Inc. announced that it had received a purchase order worth $1.7 million from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine for its handheld mass spectrometry devices. The order specifically included the MX908 system equipped with an Aero module, intended for deployment in post-conflict environmental testing kits. These devices utilize high-pressure mass spectrometry to detect and identify trace levels of hazardous substances, including chemical warfare agents and explosives. The technology allows response teams to rapidly analyze solid, liquid, vapor, and aerosol samples in the field to ensure public safety in hazardous areas.
• In April 2024, GreyScan Detection achieved a milestone when its ETD-100 Inorganic Explosives Trace Detector was selected by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Innovation Task Force for demonstration planning. This acceptance followed the company's successful submission to the TSA’s Innovative Demonstrations for Enterprise Advancement program. The ETD-100 is specifically engineered to detect inorganic explosive compositions, addressing a critical gap in traditional security screening which often focuses on organic threats. This collaboration aims to enhance checkpoint security capabilities by identifying homemade explosive materials that are increasingly used in asymmetric threats against public infrastructure.
• In March 2024, OSI Systems, Inc. secured a significant contract valued at approximately $27 million to supply its advanced explosive trace detection technology to a major European airport. The agreement involved the delivery of Itemiser 5X systems, which are expressly designed for the secondary screening of passengers and carry-on baggage at critical security checkpoints. Along with the detection units, the contract encompassed the provision of related consumables and ongoing service support. The Itemiser 5X utilizes a non-radioactive ionization source and is optimized for detecting nanogram-level trace amounts of explosives and narcotics, reinforcing security measures in high-traffic aviation environments.

Key Market Players

• Analogic Corporation
• Autoclear LLC
• Bruker Corporation
• Leidos, Inc
• OSI Systems, Inc
• Smiths Detection Group Ltd
• Teledyne Technologies Incorporated
• DetectaChem, Inc.
• RS DYNAMICS LLC
• Morphix Technologies

By Product	By Technology	By End Use	By Region
Handheld Portable/Movable Fixed	Chemiluminescence Thermo-redox Amplifying fluorescent polymer Mass spectrometry Ion mobility spectrometry Colorimetrics automated colorimetric	Commercial Defense Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Explosive Trace Detection Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Explosive Trace Detection Market, By Product:

• Handheld
• Portable/Movable
• Fixed

• Explosive Trace Detection Market, By Technology:

• Chemiluminescence
• Thermo-redox
• Amplifying fluorescent polymer
• Mass spectrometry
• Ion mobility spectrometry
• Colorimetrics automated colorimetric

• Explosive Trace Detection Market, By End Use:

• Commercial
• Defense
• Others

• Explosive Trace Detection Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE