What Hiden Analytical does

Hiden Analytical Ltd. is a privately held UK-based manufacturer (founded 1981, headquartered in Warrington) that designs, develops, and manufactures its own quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) systems for advanced research and specialist process monitoring. The company's product portfolio spans gas analysis (QGA 2.0, HPR-20 series, HPR-40 MIMS/DEMS), dissolved gas and fermentation monitoring (pQA, QIC BioStream), catalysis and thermal analysis (CATLAB-PCS, SpaciMS, TDSLab Series), residual gas analysis (RGA Series, HAL 101X RC, HALO 201 MBE, DLS-1/2/2X/20), thin film and plasma diagnostics (HPR-30, EQP Series, ESPion), and surface analysis (SIMS Workstation, AutoSIMS, Compact SIMS, ToF-qSIMS, FIB-SIMS), complemented by a proprietary software ecosystem (MASsoft Professional, QGAsoft, EGAsoft, TPDsoft, CATLAB software, SIMS Mapper). Core technical differentiators include ultra-high mass resolution (0.006 amu in DLS-20 for hydrogen isotope separation), sub-ppb detection in dissolved species, <50 nm lateral resolution in FIB-SIMS, and <150-300 ms response times in transient event capture.

Hiden serves six primary verticals — semiconductor process monitoring, nuclear/fusion research, catalysis research, environmental monitoring, electrochemistry/energy research, and materials science — with a customer base concentrated in academic institutions, national laboratories, and industrial R&D organizations. The company operates a consultative enterprise field sales motion through direct sales from UK headquarters and a global representative network (e.g., SCINCO in Korea), supported by active participation in industry conferences and technical training events. Revenue is generated through quote-based hardware sales of configured systems with multi-year product lifecycles, after-sales service, calibration, and proprietary software, with pricing not publicly disclosed. Notable technical validations include the 2008 R&D 100 Award for SpaciMS (with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Cummins Inc.) and DAkkS accreditation of its MIMS-based groundwater analysis workflow in Germany. Hiden has been independently owned for over 40 years with no disclosed external private equity or venture capital funding.

Name

Hiden Analytical

Legal name

Hiden Analytical Ltd.

Website

https://hidenanalytical.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hiden Analytical is a UK-based, privately held manufacturer (founded 1981) that designs, develops, and produces proprietary quadrupole mass spectrometer systems for gas, surface, dissolved-species, and plasma analysis. It serves research institutions, universities, government laboratories, and industrial R&D customers across semiconductor, fusion, catalysis, environmental, electrochemistry, and materials science applications via direct and representative-based enterprise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Mass Spectrometry Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), 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)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA), Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE)

Keywords

• Mass spectrometry instruments
• Residual gas analyzers
• Surface analysis equipment
• Quadrupole mass spectrometers
• Electrochemical mass spectrometry

Headquarters

HQ city

Warrington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Scientific Instrument Sales and Service: Hiden Analytical generates revenue through the sale of quadrupole mass spectrometer systems, residual gas analysers, surface analysis instruments (SIMS), and related accessories and software. The company provides after-sales service, technical support, and calibration. Products are sold directly to research institutions, universities, government labs, and industrial customers. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year product lifecycles typical of scientific instrumentation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hiden Analytical designs, develops and manufactures quadrupole mass spectrometer systems configured for specialized application areas including residual gas analysis, gas analysis, surface analysis (SIMS), electrochemistry (DEMS/OEMS), dissolved species analysis, catalysis, and fusion fuel gas monitoring. The company provides proprietary instruments, application-specific software (MASsoft Professional, QGAsoft, EGAsoft, TPDsoft), and related accessories to research institutions, universities, government laboratories, and industrial R&D customers worldwide.

Product overview

Hiden Analytical designs, develops and manufactures quadrupole mass spectrometers for advanced research applications and specialist process monitoring. The product portfolio includes gas analysis systems (QGA 2.0, HPR-20 R&D/TMS/EGA/OEMS, HPR-40 MIMS/DEMS), dissolved gas analysers (pQA, QIC BioStream), catalysis and thermal analysis instruments (CATLAB-PCS, SpaciMS, TDSLab Series), residual gas analysers (RGA Series, HAL 101X RC, HALO 201 MBE, DLS-1/2/20), thin films and plasma diagnostics (HPR-30, EQP Series, ESPion), surface analysis systems (SIMS Workstation, AutoSIMS, Compact SIMS, ToF-qSIMS, FIB-SIMS), and associated software (MASsoft Professional, QGAsoft, EGAsoft, TPDsoft). Products serve applications in semiconductor manufacturing, catalysis research, environmental monitoring, fusion research, electrochemistry, and materials science.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• QGA 2.0 Next generation benchtop mass spectrometer for real-time quantitative gas analysis with detection from 100 ppb to 100%, up to 1000 measurements per second, 7 decade dynamic range, <300 ms response time, weighing less than 30 kg.
• HPR-20 R&D Bench-top specialist gas analysis system for real-time evolved gas and vapour analysis with triple filter mass spectrometer and ultimate detection limit of 5 ppb.
• HPR-20 TMS Fast event transient gas analysis system with pulse ion counting detector providing sub-200 ms response to ppm/% level gas concentration changes for transient gas switching experiments.
• HPR-20 EGA Compact bench-top gas analysis system for evolved gas analysis from thermogravimetric analysers (TGA-MS) with mass range up to 510 amu.
• HPR-20 OEMS Online electrochemical mass spectrometry system for continuous analysis of evolved gases and vapours in electrochemistry with response times as fast as 300 ms.
• HPR-40 MIMS Benchtop membrane inlet mass spectrometer for analysis of gases, vapours and VOCs in liquids, sea water, sediment, and groundwater with detection to sub-ppb levels.
• HPR-40 DEMS Laboratory mass spectrometry system for in situ, real-time analysis of gases and volatile species in electrochemical research including fuel cell diagnostics, CO2 reduction, and battery research.
• pQA Portable Quadrupole Analyser Portable mass spectrometer for field analysis of dissolved gases in water, sediments, and groundwater with sub-ppb detection levels, powered by 12V supply.
• QIC BioStream Bioreactor off-gas analyser with multi-stream valve system supporting 20, 40, or 80 inlet streams for continuous fermentation/bioprocess monitoring with OPC connectivity.
• CATLAB-PCS Modular microreactor and mass spectrometer system for catalyst characterisation, reaction testing, kinetic and thermodynamic measurements at temperatures up to 1000°C with integrated CATLAB software.
• SpaciMS Spatially resolved capillary inlet mass spectrometry system for determination of intra-catalyst reactor chemistry with 16-channel multi-inlet and 3D mapping of gas composition.
• TDSLab Series Thermal desorption spectrometry systems including TDSLab-6 (hydrogen embrittlement studies, 0.01 ppm detection), TDSLab-9 (photovoltaic/semiconductor research), and TDSLab-20 (nuclear fusion, high mass resolution for isotopic species).
• RGA Series Residual gas analysers for vacuum diagnostics and process monitoring, including HALO RGA, 3F triple filter systems, and 3F PIC with pulse ion counting detection.
• HAL 101X RC Radiation-resistant RGA system for tokamak/fusion research with remote analyser mounting up to 140m, including TIMS mode for hydrogen isotope analysis.
• HALO 201 MBE High-sensitivity residual gas analyser engineered for molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and ultra-high vacuum systems with molybdenum wiring for improved lifetime; minimum detectable partial pressure to 2 x 10^-14 mbar.
• DLS-20 Ultra-high resolution quadrupole mass spectrometer with 20mm rod diameter for hydrogen and helium isotope analysis with 0.006 amu mass separation capability.
• DLS-2 / DLS-2X Dual zone mass spectrometry systems for nuclear fusion gas analysis, vacuum diagnostics, and demanding gas analysis environments.
• HPR-30 Series In-situ differentially pumped gas analysers for vacuum process gas composition, contamination monitoring, and leak detection in thin film deposition.
• EQP Series Combined mass and energy analysers for detailed plasma studies providing high sensitivity analysis of positive and negative plasma ions, neutrals and radicals.
• ESPion Advanced Langmuir probe featuring static and spatially resolved measurements of primary electrical parameters of low pressure plasma.
• FIB-SIMS High-performance bolt-on secondary ion mass spectrometry for existing focused ion beam (FIB) systems providing <50 nm lateral resolution and 3D elemental mapping down to ppm trace element detection.
• SIMS Workstation Dynamic and static SIMS analysis with dual-mode mass spectrometer for positive and negative ion detection plus SNMS detection mode.
• AutoSIMS Automated SIMS workstation for routine surface analysis, depth profiling, and 3D characterisation in enriched medical isotope target development.
• Compact SIMS User-friendly surface analysis SIMS system designed for laboratories requiring straightforward operation.
• ToF-qSIMS Workstation Time-of-flight quadrupole SIMS system for surface analysis and depth profiling of polymers, pharmaceuticals, superconductors, semiconductors, and dielectrics.
• LAS Leak Analysis System Automated high throughput leak analysis system for sealed packages including lithium ion batteries, detecting leak rates less than 1x10-7 mbar.l/s.
• MASsoft Professional Professional software package for control of instruments via USB 2.0, RS232, or Ethernet with comprehensive I/O for data output and integration; includes netMASsoft on-board web server.
• QGAsoft Application-specific software package for quantitative gas and vapour analysis providing real-time continuous analysis of up to 32 species.
• EGAsoft Complete software package for evolved gas analysis data acquisition and analysis for TG-MS and DSC-MS applications.
• TPDsoft Thermal analysis PC software for automatic control of sample temperature integrated with analyser control and TPD analysis routines.

Quantifiable outcome

• DLS-20 achieves 0.006 amu mass separation in real time, enabling separation of D2O and Ne at nominal 20 amu with mass separation of 0.03 amu
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Oak Ridge National LaboratoryflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOak Ridge National Laboratory researchers originally conceived and developed the SpaciMS inlet system to study diesel catalysis. Hiden Analytical licensed and commercialised the technology, which subsequently won the R&D 100 Award in 2008. The partnership established Hiden as the sole commercial supplier of SpaciMS technology.
• Cummins Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCummins Inc. collaborated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers on the original development of SpaciMS for diesel catalysis studies. Cummins participated in the R&D 100 Award alongside Hiden Analytical, ORNL, CenTACat, and Y-12 National Security Complex.
• CenTACatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership contributed to the R&D 100 Award for SpaciMS technology alongside Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Cummins Inc., and Y-12 National Security Complex.
• Y-12 National Security ComplexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerY-12 National Security Complex was part of the collaborative team that won the R&D 100 Award for SpaciMS alongside Hiden Analytical, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Cummins Inc., and CenTACat.
• AQS Schwerin (Aqua Service Schwerin)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAQS Schwerin used the Hiden HPR-40 MIMS within a DAkkS-accredited N2/Ar groundwater analysis method, achieving official accreditation for groundwater monitoring in Germany. This validated mass spectrometry-based analysis as meeting regulatory standards, establishing Hiden's technology in accredited environmental monitoring workflows.
• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImperial College London conducts Isothermal Desorption Spectroscopy (ITDS) research using Hiden's TPD Workstation, advancing measurement techniques for hydrogen diffusivity in collaboration with Hiden's instrumentation capabilities.
• SCINCOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCINCO is Hiden Analytical's representative in Korea, actively promoting and supporting Hiden's products in the Korean market. SCINCO represented Hiden at the 39th Catalysis Symposium in Yangpyeong, Korea (June 2026).
• University of California, Berkeley LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearchers at UC Berkeley (Ezra L. Clark and Prof. Alexis T. Bell) developed a novel DEMS cell coupled with Hiden's differentially pumped mass spectrometer system for in-situ mass resolved determination of gaseous electrochemical reaction intermediates and products in real time.
• Brookhaven National Laboratory (NSLS-II)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNL's NSLS-II synchrotron facility uses Hiden RGA systems for UHV vacuum quality monitoring on beam lines. Hiden's EPICS interface integration with NSLS-II control systems represents a technical partnership for beamline vacuum diagnostics.
• National Science Foundation (NSF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF Sustainable Chemistry Center uses Hiden mass spectrometry to transform electronics manufacturing research. Hiden instruments support NSF-funded research programs in materials science and chemistry.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Agilent Technologies: Agilent offers GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS, and other mass spectrometry solutions across pharma, environmental, and chemical analysis. A large incumbent with comparable end markets and overlapping quadrupole and gas-analysis capabilities.
• MKS Instruments: MKS supplies vacuum, gas analysis, and process instrumentation including mass spectrometry products. A larger incumbent with overlapping residual-gas-analysis and process-monitoring capabilities, but focused on broader equipment portfolios.
• Waters Corporation: Waters manufactures mass spectrometry and chromatography systems, with quadrupole MS products serving pharma and academic research. Comparable end customers and a shared footprint in the analytical laboratory market.
• Shimadzu Scientific Instruments: Shimadzu provides GC-MS, LC-MS, and a broad analytical instrument portfolio, including quadrupole mass spectrometers for environmental and pharma labs. A large incumbent with overlapping technology and customer base.
• Ametek Process & Analytical Instruments: Ametek (including its process analytical division) supplies mass spectrometers and gas analyzers for industrial process monitoring. Comparable in the process gas analysis space but with a much broader industrial instrumentation portfolio.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher is a major analytical instrument manufacturer with a broad mass spectrometry portfolio (Orbitrap, quadrupole, ICP-MS) serving pharma, environmental, and materials research. Significantly larger than Hiden, with overlapping end markets but a much wider product scope.
• HORIBA Scientific: HORIBA supplies analytical and scientific instruments, including mass spectrometry and gas analysis systems, for environmental, research, and industrial markets. A larger established player with comparable quadrupole MS and gas analysis offerings.

Regional players

• ULVAC: ULVAC is a Japan-based manufacturer of vacuum and thin-film equipment, including mass spectrometry and RGA products serving semiconductor and display manufacturing. Comparable in residual gas analysis for vacuum processes, but primarily Asia-Pacific focused.

Direct peers

• Extrel CMS: Extrel manufactures quadrupole mass spectrometry systems and components, including the MAX series. Directly comparable to Hiden in the core QMS technology stack, serving similar research and process monitoring customers.
• Pfeiffer Vacuum: Pfeiffer Vacuum offers PrismaPlus and HiQuad quadrupole mass spectrometers for residual gas analysis and leak detection. Closely aligned with Hiden's RGA and vacuum-process monitoring product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HidenAnalytical
• Facebookfacebook.com/HidenAnalytical
• Instagraminstagram.com/hidenanalytical
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hiden-analytical-limited

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Hiden Analytical