What Microtrac does

Microtrac, legally Microtrac Retsch GmbH and headquartered in Haan, Germany, is a manufacturer of analytical instruments for particle characterization with more than 50 years of operating history. The company offers six technology platforms covering Dynamic Image Analysis (CAMSIZER family), Dynamic Light Scattering (NANOTRAC), Laser Diffraction (SYNC, BLUEWAVE, S3500, AEROTRAC), Static Multiple Light Scattering (TURBISCAN line, integrated via the Formulaction acquisition), Gas/Vapor Adsorption and Porosimetry (BELSORP, BELCRYO, BELPORE, BELPYCNO), and Zeta Potential (STABINO ZETA), supported by dedicated software (Dimensions, TURBISOFT, BELCONTROL). Its patented TURBISCAN technology enables direct, non-destructive stability characterization on native concentrated dispersions up to 95% v/v with destabilization detection up to 1,000 times faster than visual observation, and the SYNC platform is positioned as a unique combination of laser diffraction and dynamic image analysis for simultaneous size and shape measurement.

The firm serves quality control and R&D functions across at least nine end markets, including pharmaceuticals and drug delivery systems, cosmetics and personal care, food and beverage, additive manufacturing and powder metallurgy, battery materials, paints and coatings, catalysts, and building materials. It monetizes primarily through capital-equipment hardware sales with quote-based pricing, supplemented by a recently launched structured Service Plans offering (annual maintenance, extended warranty). Distribution is global via wholly-owned daughter companies (Microtrac Inc., MicrotracBEL Corp., Formulaction S.A.S., Porotec GmbH, BEL Europe GmbH, Retsch Technology GmbH) plus trained local distributors, with sales inquiries auto-routed to regional representatives and online product demos available.

Microtrac is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Verder Group, a family-owned Dutch conglomerate, and operates within the Verder Scientific Division alongside Carbolite, ELTRA, QATM, and Retsch. The consolidated entity was formed by merging Retsch Technology, Microtrac, and MicrotracBEL under the Microtrac brand, with subsequent add-on acquisitions of Porotec GmbH (2020) and Formulaction SA. There are no public funding rounds, no reported revenue figures, and no disclosed management team biographies in the available sources; corporate ownership and growth are entirely opaque to public investors.

Name

Microtrac

Legal name

Microtrac Retsch GmbH

Website

https://microtrac.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Microtrac is a German-headquartered manufacturer of analytical instruments for particle characterization — covering size, shape, surface area, zeta potential, and dispersion stability — sold globally through daughter companies and distributors to QC and R&D labs in pharma, batteries, food, cosmetics, and advanced materials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Particle Characterization Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB), Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE), Material Characterization & Spectroscopy (NMR/FTIR/MS) (HLAGADAK)

Keywords

• Particle characterization instruments
• Particle size analysis
• Dynamic image analysis
• Laser diffraction analysis
• Gas adsorption analyzers

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomeryville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Analytical Instruments Sales: Microtrac manufactures and sells analytical instruments for particle characterization including particle size analyzers, zeta potential instruments, gas adsorption analyzers, and stability testers. Products are sold through direct sales, daughter companies, and distributor networks globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Microtrac manufactures and sells analytical instruments for particle characterization, including particle size and shape analyzers (CAMSIZER, SYNC), nanoparticle analyzers (NANOTRAC), zeta potential instruments (STABINO ZETA), gas and vapor adsorption analyzers (BELSORP, BELCRYO, BELCAT, BELPYCNO, BELPORE), and stability/shelf-life analyzers (TURBISCAN). The instruments combine five core measurement technologies—Dynamic Image Analysis, Dynamic Light Scattering, Laser Diffraction, Gas & Vapor Adsorption, and Static Multiple Light Scattering—and are supported by proprietary software for data acquisition and interpretation. Products are sold globally for quality control and R&D applications across pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food & beverage, battery, paints & coatings, catalyst, additive manufacturing, and construction material industries.

Product overview

Microtrac is a leading manufacturer of analytical instruments for particle characterization, offering a comprehensive portfolio of optical particle analyzers and measurement systems. The product portfolio comprises five main technology platforms: (1) CAMSIZER Dynamic Image Analysis (DIA) product line including CAMSIZER S1, 3D, X2+, XL, and ONLINE for particle size and shape analysis from micrometers to millimeters; (2) NANOTRAC Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analyzers including NANOTRAC FLEX and WAVE II for nanoparticle characterization; (3) SYNC, AEROTRAC II, BLUEWAVE, and S3500 Laser Diffraction (LD) systems for efficient particle size determination; (4) TURBISCAN series (LAB, TRILAB, TOWER, AGS, DNS) using Static Multiple Light Scattering (SMLS) for stability and shelf-life analysis of emulsions, suspensions, and foams, acquired from Formulaction; (5) BELSORP gas adsorption analyzers including BELCRYO X, BELSORP MAX G/X/MINI X/MR1, BELSORP HP, BELCAT II, BELMASS II, BELPORE, BELPYCNO, and BELPREP for surface area, pore size distribution, catalyst evaluation, density measurement, and mercury porosimetry; and (6) STABINO ZETA for zeta potential measurement. Supporting software includes Dimensions, TURBISOFT, TURBISIZE, and BELCONTROL. The company, part of the VERDER Scientific division, provides solutions for quality control and R&D across industries including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and beverage, paints and coatings, batteries, and chemicals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CAMSIZER: Dynamic Image Analysis product line for particle size and shape characterization
• NANOTRAC
• BELSORP
• TURBISCAN
• SYNC
• STABINO ZETA
• BEL
• BELCAT
• Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI)

Products and services

• CAMSIZER X2+ Versatile particle size and shape analyzer with a wide measuring range, short measurement time, and advanced cameras for dynamic image analysis (DIA) of particles, used for industrial and R&D quality control.
• CAMSIZER 3D Particle size and shape analyzer measuring up to 250 images per second based on dynamic image analysis technology for high-throughput QC and R&D.
• CAMSIZER S1 Dynamic Image Analyzer focused on essentials for quality control, offering more efficient and easier operation for routine particle size and shape measurement.
• CAMSIZER XL Large particle size and shape analyzer measuring particles from 160 to 135,000 µm for accurate analysis of coarse powders and granules.
• CAMSIZER ONLINE Online 3D particle size and shape analyzer for granules that integrates into process loops with user-friendly interface for continuous production monitoring.
• SYNC Particle size and shape analyzer combining laser diffraction and dynamic image analysis for simultaneous size and shape measurement with flexible, user-focused design.
• NANOTRAC FLEX Flexible nanoparticle size analyzer based on Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) offering fast measurement and high precision for nanoparticle characterization.
• NANOTRAC WAVE II Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analyzer for particle size, zeta potential, and concentration measurement with high precision.
• STABINO ZETA System for accurate determination of zeta potential and colloidal stability with measurement range from 0.3 nm to 300 µm.
• TURBISCAN LAB Fast and sensitive identification of destabilization mechanisms using Static Multiple Light Scattering, with a temperature range up to 60°C and vial sizes from 2 ml to 20 ml.
• TURBISCAN TRILAB Stability analyzer with three independent measurement positions for stability analysis without dilution or mechanical stress, temperature range 20°C to 60°C.
• TURBISCAN TOWER 6-sample macroscopic and colloidal stability analyzer with temperature range from 4°C to 80°C using non-invasive Static Multiple Light Scattering.
• TURBISCAN AGS High-throughput stability analyzer with automated sample handling system operating 24/7, analyzing up to 54 samples with three temperature-controlled storage racks using Static Multiple Light Scattering.
• TURBISCAN DNS Analyzer for measuring dispersibility and stability with shelf-life studies, requiring no dilution on native samples, with temperature up to 60°C using SMLS.
• BELSORP MAX X High-end gas/vapor adsorption analyzer compact, low-weight, measuring up to 4 samples simultaneously for surface area and pore size distribution.
• BELSORP MAX G High-precision gas adsorption analyzer for fast and precise characterization of porous materials.
• BELSORP MINI X Compact gas adsorption analyzer with up to four independent ports for pore size and volume measurement, described as the smallest and lightest worldwide.
• BELSORP MR 1 Compact, fast gas adsorption analyzer for highly accurate measurement of porous materials with compact design without external PC.
• BELCRYO X Cryogenic gas adsorption analyzer for surface area and pore size distribution measurement.
• BELSORP HP High-pressure gas adsorption analyzer for research and industrial applications including hydrogen storage and pressure swing adsorption; product does not carry CE marking.
• BELCAT II Fully automated catalyst analyzer for comprehensive and precise catalyst evaluation with small footprint and affordable price.
• BELMASS II Quadrupole mass spectrometer for determining molecular constituents through analysis of vapors, liquids, and solids.
• BELPYCNO High-quality Gas Pycnometer for true density measurement of solid materials and powders using gas displacement.
• BELPYCNO L Gas pycnometer for analysis of volume density of powders and granulates with short measurement time and easy operation.
• BELPORE Mercury porosimeter for pore structure analysis and characterization of porous materials.
• BELPREP VAC Vacuum degasser with flow degassing option for efficient and fast sample preparation for gas sorption analysis; product carries CE marking.
• AEROTRAC II Analyzer for spray particle and spray droplet size distributions and concentrations in air with a wide range of applications.
• BLUEWAVE Laser diffraction analyzer providing accurate, reliable, and repeatable particle size analysis for diverse applications in wet and dry measurement.
• S3500 Industry-preferred Laser Diffraction Analyzer for particle characterization with highest precision and flexible use.
• Dimensions Software Software platform for particle characterization data acquisition, interpretation, and export supporting Microtrac instruments.
• TURBISOFT Software Dedicated intuitive software for the TURBISCAN range providing data acquisition, interpretation, and export with TSI algorithm for stability ranking.
• TURBISIZE Software Additional software for particle size distribution measurement following ISO13317 standards.
• BELCONTROL Software Control software for BEL series gas adsorption analyzers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Accelerated destabilization detection up to 1,000 times faster than visual observation
• +2 more outcomes

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Formulaction S.A.S.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerVERDER Group acquired French company Formulaction SA. Formulaction integrated into Microtrac as part of the group's Scientific Division. TURBISCAN product line for dispersion stability and shelf-life analysis added to portfolio. Creates comprehensive suite of instrumentation for materials characterization practitioners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• HORIBA Scientific: Direct peer in particle characterization (laser diffraction, DLS, Raman). Competes with Microtrac in academic, pharma, and industrial materials labs.
• Malvern Panalytical: Direct peer in particle characterization (laser diffraction, DLS, image analysis). Both serve QC/R&D labs in pharma, materials, and food with overlapping instrument portfolios.
• Sympatec: Direct German peer specializing in laser diffraction and image-analysis particle sizing, often used in cement, mining, and pharma. Closely comparable in technology and customer overlap.
• Anton Paar: Direct peer offering laser diffraction particle sizing, surface area, and rheology instruments. Overlaps with Microtrac across QC, pharma, and battery applications.

Broad incumbents

• Beckman Coulter Life Sciences: Broad lab-instrument incumbent (part of Danaher) with particle sizing/counting in its portfolio. Competes with Microtrac in life-sciences QC and biopharma workflows at much larger scale.
• Shimadzu Scientific Instruments: Broad analytical-instrument incumbent with particle sizing in its portfolio. Larger R&D and service network but a more diversified offering than Microtrac.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Broad analytical-instrument incumbent serving pharma, materials, and food with particle characterization within a much larger portfolio. Sets the standard for enterprise lab bundling.

Emerging players

• TSI Incorporated: EMERGING_PLAYER with overlapping aerosol, spray, and particle measurement technologies (AEROTRAC II overlap). Comparable use cases in sprays, powders, and inhalation research.
• Bettersize Instruments: Emerging Chinese peer in laser diffraction and DLS particle sizing. Competitively priced alternative challenging Western incumbents including Microtrac in Asian markets.

Regional players

• Fritsch GmbH: Regional German peer offering laser diffraction particle sizers (ANALYSETTE 22). Comparable technology stack and overlap with academic and industrial European customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MicrotracParticleCharacterization
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/microtrac
• Xx.com/Microtrac
• Facebookfacebook.com/Microtrac

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Microtrac