Backscatter X-ray Devices Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Type, By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2021-2027

The Global Backscatter X-ray Devices Market size is expected to reach $172 million by 2027, rising at a market growth of 4.5% CAGR during the forecast period.



Backscatter X-Ray devices are defined as scanners that use a little quantity of ionizing radiation to bombard things. The radiation is transferred back to the device, where it is received and translated into an image on the screen. In addition, the images can be used by customs and border protection to scan vehicles or containers, airports to check passenger bags or cargo holds, military and defense organizations to identify explosive materials concealed inside vehicles or other areas/objects without leaving them open, and law enforcement agencies to look at content instead of concealed weapons.

Backscatter X-ray imaging is a more advanced X-ray imaging technology. By altering the x-ray intensity transmitted through the object, a typical X-ray machine detects hard and soft materials. In contrast to backscatter X-rays, X-rays that capture backscatter radiation are used. It has the potential to be utilized for non-destructive examinations and can be employed even if only one side of the target is visible. Moreover, it is one of two kinds of whole-body imaging equipment that's been used to scan airline passengers for hidden weapons, liquids, tools, narcotics, money, and other contraband.

The other sort of whole-body imaging technology is millimeter-wave scanners. This sort of airport security gadget is also known as a 'body scanner,' 'security scanner,' 'full-body imager,' or 'naked scanner.' Most passengers in industrialized countries (because of increased awareness) do not want to be scanned since they are concerned about their health and privacy. Because scanning creates outlines of a person's body, airport authorities find it very hard to persuade passengers to submit to scanning.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Manufacturing facilities for industry players are situated in North America, Europe, Asia, and the rest of the world. COVID-19 has also had an influence on their enterprises due to its far-reaching effects. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a substantial consideration of using a handheld form of backscatter X-ray. Because police operations can cause officers to exceed the 6-foot social distance rule, investing in these devices allows cops to maintain their distance. By June 2020, Viken Detection had led US-based police departments from Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and Indiana to training sessions in its Burlington facility on how to use the HBI-120 to protect the public from the crisis amid coronavirus-related challenges, based on its VALOR program.

Market Growth Factors:

Growing illegal immigration and terrorist attacks

Due to growing illegal immigration and terrorist incidents around the world, demand for security screening technologies like backscatter X-ray devices has surged in recent years. 9/11 in the United States, the London bombings in 2007, the Mumbai attack in 2008, and the Sri Lankan civil war Some of the significant terrorist attacks carried out around the world include the Easter bombing in 2019, mass shooting at a mosque in New Zealand in 2019, mass shooting in Vienna in 2020, and suicide bombing and mass shooting strikes at Kabul airport in 2019. According to the Global Terrorism Database 2020, more than 20,300 individuals were killed in terrorist incidents around the world in 2019, including 5,460 perpetrators and 14,840 victims.

Developments in X-ray technology

The developments in X-ray screening devices may make it easier to install security screening solutions in a variety of locations. In addition, X-ray imaging systems employ a variety of technologies, including standard X-ray, dual-energy, backscatter, and CT. 2D X-ray devices were previously used to screen luggage at airports. However, X-ray devices that provide a 3D picture of luggage have just been introduced. By enabling viewers/operators to zoom in and rotate the bag for a 360° view, these devices provide better and more straightforward information regarding the bag contents. The X-ray beam is transmitted through objects and detectors positioned opposite the beam in the single-view X-ray transmission mode.

Marketing Restraining Factor:

Artificial intelligence (AI) integration in security applications for digital transformation

Backscatter and CT X-ray screening technologies are widely employed for security at numerous vital locations across the world. The main disadvantage of these X-ray technologies is that they require a lot of time to screen luggage and freight. However, the Integration of modern technologies like AI and IoT can speed up screening while also ensuring accurate detection of illegal goods in luggage and cargo. Various governments have been focusing on developing new AI-based security technologies. The UK government has committed USD 2.37 million (GBP 1.8 million) to the development of AI-based airport systems.

Type Outlook

Based on Type, the market is segmented into Non-handheld and Handheld. In 2020, the Non-handheld segment acquired the largest revenue share of the Backscatter X-ray Devices Market. This is because non-Handheld devices are used in applications such as scanning cars or containers by customs and border protection, airports for checking passenger luggage or cargo holds, and other areas/objects without opening them. In addition, the other potential application of this device involves law enforcement agencies inspecting content rather than concealed weapons.

Application Outlook

Based on Application, the market is segmented into Customs & Border Protection, Airport/Aviation, Military & Defense, Law Enforcement, and Others. The Airport/Aviation segment obtained a significant revenue share of the Backscatter X-ray Devices Market in 2020. This is because Backscatter x-ray devices are commonly employed in airport security to detect explosive materials. In addition, these machines can be seen at the airport security gate, where passengers must pass through soon before taking off. Moreover, if a person is suspected of having metal or explosives on them, they may be recognized using this technology or machine, which needs them to stand between two boxes.

Regional Outlook

Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. In 2020, North America emerged as the leading region in the overall Backscatter X-ray Devices Market by collecting the largest revenue share. In addition, the regional market is set to showcase a similar kind of trend even during the forecast years. The massive growth of the regional market is attributed to the fact that this device is heavily used/adopted by law enforcement and cross-border security. Moreover, vendors in the region have been increasingly active, in keeping with the proclivity to adopt.

The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Nuctech Company, Ltd. (Tsinghua Tongfang Co., Ltd.), Tek84, Inc., Autoclear LLC, Scanna MSC, LAURUS Systems, Inc., Viken Detection, and OSI Systems, Inc.

• Dec 2021: Tek84 took over Strategic Stake in Videray Technologies, a powerful, user-friendly, and portable Handheld Backscatter X-ray Imager provider. Following the acquisition, the company aimed to expand its high-tech security solutions for border control and law enforcement with Videray's patented, handheld x-ray scanning devices.
• Jul 2021: Viken Detection introduced FOXHOUND-HNA. Viken's handheld narcotics analyzer is geared for drug interdiction and intended for widespread use in law enforcement operations, with tri-mode capability and design. In addition, users can use FOXHOUND-HNA to assess if narcotics are present or have been present, as well as identify those substances.
• Nov 2020: Viken Detection released multi-tiered X-ray series, a new line of X-ray scanners that include handheld devices to vehicle-focused drive-over scanners. The new products is expected to provide law enforcement and others the possibility of higher flexibility and capability in contraband detection, including the possibility to see through lead.
• Jun 2019: Viken Detection unveiled its Broadwing-LADTM accessory for the HBI-120 handheld x-ray imager. The HBI-120's detachable, lightweight, large-area detector improves vehicle inspection capabilities for drug interdiction and opens up additional HBI-120 applications such as building searches, tactical raids, and counter-surveillance.
• Sep 2020: American Science & Engineering, a subsidiary of OSI Systems, took over substantially all of the assets of Nucsafe, a leading developer of technologies in radiation monitoring and nuclear materials detection utilizing, among other methods, gamma-ray and neutron detection, as well as backscatter X-ray. Following the acquisition of Nucsafe, the AS&E obtains a prominent offering of radiation monitoring and nuclear detection technologies.

Scope of the Study

Market Segments Covered in the Report:

By Type

• Non-handheld
• Handheld

By Application

• Customs & Border Protection
• Airport/Aviation
• Military & Defense
• Law Enforcement
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• US
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America
• Europe
• Germany
• UK
• France
• Russia
• Spain
• Italy
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• LAMEA
• Brazil
• Argentina
• UAE
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Rest of LAMEA

Key Market Players

List of Companies Profiled in the Report:

• Nuctech Company, Ltd. (Tsinghua Tongfang Co., Ltd.)
• Tek84, Inc.
• Autoclear LLC
• Scanna MSC
• LAURUS Systems, Inc.
• Viken Detection
• OSI Systems, Inc.

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