Particle Counter Market Segmentation by Product Type: Airborne Particle Counters, Liquid Particle Counters; Technology: Online Particle Counters, Offline Particle Counters; Modularity: Portable Particle Counters, Remote Particle Counters, Handheld Particle Counters; End-User: Medical Device Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry, Research Laboratories - Forecast to 2032

Particle Counter Market Synopsis

Particle Counter Market Size was valued at USD 420.35 Billion in 2023. The Global Particle Counter industry is projected to grow from USD 458.86 Billion in 2024 to USD 938.71 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.36% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).

A particle counter is a tool for monitoring indoor air quality to understand the concentration of particles in the air in cleanrooms and workplaces. This device would not identify specifically what kinds of dust particulates are present in the air, but it will identify how many airborne particles of a certain size are present in the environment.

The growing pharmaceutical sector along with stringent regulatory policies are driving the particle counter market growth. Additionally, increasing numbers of growth strategies adopted by major players are further driving the market growth globally. For instance, in June 2019, TSI launched the AeroTrak+ Remote Airborne Particle Counters for monitoring manufacturing cleanrooms.

Market Influencer

Rising production by the pharmaceutical industry and stringent regulations are likely to impact the growth of the particle counter industry positively.

Particle Counter Market Drivers

• The growing pharmaceutical industry will support the growth of the particle counter market during the forecast period.

• Rising research & development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry to cater to rising needs for treatments of various chronic diseases is driving the growth of the particle counter market. For instance, according to a recent survey, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in the US spent a total of USD 102 billion on research & development in 2015. Additionally, according to the National Institute for Health Research, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) invested over USD 4.46 billion just in the UK on R&D, looking for breakthroughs for conditions such as cancer, dementia, and rare genetic diseases.

• Stringent government regulations regarding the quality of air in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.

• Rising product launches and product advancements by major market players.

Market Restraints

• The high cost of particle counters and technical limitations of particle counters is hampering the growth of the particle counter market.

Particle Counter Market Segmentation

By Product Type

• Airborne Particle Counters: Airborne particle counters are widely used to monitor signs of cleanroom air contamination, and, in most cases, the particle count data is used to make critical process decisions regarding cleanroom certifications. These airborne particle counters, work on a light scattering principle. They utilize a very bright light source to illuminate the particles.

• Liquid Particle Counters: Liquid particle counting is used to measure the size and distribution of particles in a liquid or on solid samples. This particle counter works by irradiating a liquid sample with a laser diode and detecting the scattered light. The properties of the scattered light are related to the particle size. The particle size is then measured, and the number of particles present in each size range is determined. Aviation & space exploration, heavy machinery, and automobile manufacturing are the fields where particle control in hydraulic systems plays an important role.

By Technology

• Online Particle Counters: Online/Inline measuring systems are designed to mount directly to stationary systems for continuous or periodic monitoring or can be used as mobile monitoring solutions in hydraulic and lubricating systems.

• Offline Particle Counters: Offline particle counters use mineral as the operating fluid, and their portable size makes them most suitable for on-site applications. These particle counters are widely used for automatically measuring & displaying particulate contamination, moisture & temperature levels in various hydraulic fluids.

By Modularity

• Portable Particle Counters: The portable particle counter holds the majority share in the modularity segment attributing to the high adoption rate of these systems across the globe. Portable particle counters are easy to handle and are designed to save time and money. Demand for portable particle counters is rapidly growing in aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, and food & beverage industries.

• Remote Particle Counters: Remote Particle counters are perfect for monitoring large cleanrooms or critical environments. Their small size, flexible power options, and wireless capabilities make them a preferred option for large clean rooms.

• Handheld Particle Counters: These particle counters being lightweight and easy to carry, well-suited for cost-effective spot-checking. They are ideal for checking sources of contamination and perform indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations for consistently meeting the air quality parameters.

By End-User

• Medical Device Industry: In 2018, the medical device industry held the largest share in the market due to increased R&D expenditure and the establishment of new manufacturing facilities by global pharmaceutical giants in newer geographies. Additionally, increasing infections arising due to contaminated devices and the implementation of stringent regulations to maintain air quality is driving the market growth.

• Pharmaceutical Industry: Pharmaceutical industry accounted for the second-largest market share due to the growing volume of compounds to be detected for the presence of impurities in pharmaceutical samples and stringent safety regulations. Effective sterilization processes are vital within the pharmaceutical industries, and the safety of process units and final products depends on the highest quality of hygienic practice, as well as strict controls and regulatory compliance. Air quality rules and regulations need to be complied to ensure that the product remains sterile. This leads to a rise in the particle counter market as pharmaceutical firms are emphasizing on the use of particle counter methods to ensure air quality.

• Research Laboratories: Particle countering is a key factor of air quality monitoring in laboratories where products or processes are sensitive to environmental contamination.

• Others: Others include hospitals, specialty centers, diagnostic centers.

Particle Counter Market By Region

• Americas: The Americas held the largest regional market share in 2018. This is owing to the high adoption rate of particle counters and stringent regulations by the FDA. Additionally, product launches and product advancements by major market players are driving the growth in the Americas region.

For instance, in February 2018, Particle Plus launched Particles Plus 2000 series in four size channels—0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 µm.

• Europe: The need for particle counter is high in this region due to growth in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. Additionally, increasing support from governments, the presence of a huge geriatric population, and rising healthcare spending are driving the market growth.

• Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region accounted for the third-largest market share due to presence of a large number of research organizations, low manufacturing cost and labor cost, developing healthcare infrastructure, and increased investments by the American and European market giants in Asian countries such as China and India

• Middle East & Africa: It is estimated to account for the least share of the particle counter market due to the limited development of healthcare facilities.

Particle Counter Market Key Players

• Particle Measuring Systems, Inc. (A Spectris Company)


• Beckman Coulter (A Danaher Corporation Company)


• Rion Co., Ltd.


• Lighthouse Worldwide Solutions, Inc.


• TSI Incorporated


• Climet Instruments Company


• Setra Systems


• Met One Instruments, Inc.


• Chemtrac, Inc.