Micro Computed Tomography Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Micro Computed Tomography Market is projected to expand from a valuation of USD 309.75 Million in 2025 to USD 459.92 Million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.81%. Micro computed tomography functions as a specialized, non-destructive imaging modality that utilizes X-rays to produce intricate three-dimensional reconstructions of the internal morphology of small specimens at a sub-micron scale. The growth of this market is fundamentally underpinned by the escalating demand for precise failure analysis within the semiconductor industry and the critical requirement for high-fidelity bone and tissue visualization in the life sciences. In 2024, the sector's commercial vitality was evident when the Radiological Society of North America hosted 702 technical exhibits at its annual meeting, underscoring the significant industrial engagement and investment in advanced imaging technologies.

However, a major obstacle limiting broader market penetration is the steep financial cost associated with acquiring and maintaining these complex systems. Academic institutions and small-scale research facilities often face budgetary limitations that delay the procurement of high-resolution scanners, creating a bottleneck in adoption capabilities across cost-sensitive segments of the global economy.

Market Drivers

Advancements in Scintillator Technology and Faster Scanning Capabilities are fundamentally reshaping the Global Micro Computed Tomography Market by allowing researchers to visualize sub-micron structures with exceptional clarity and speed. These technical improvements permit the non-destructive inspection of increasingly complex materials, where identifying minute flaws is essential for safety and performance. The improved geometric sharpness provided by modern nanofocus tubes facilitates the detection of defects that were previously invisible to standard systems. For instance, Waygate Technologies announced in May 2025 the launch of their Phoenix Nanotom HR system, which leverages advanced X-ray tubes to achieve detail detectability down to 50 nanometers, significantly reducing scan times and increasing throughput for industrial and academic users.

Simultaneously, the expansion of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) protocols in automotive and aerospace manufacturing is driving substantial market activity, particularly as the electric vehicle sector necessitates rigorous inspection of heavy components. The shift toward battery integration and large-scale gigacasting requires imaging systems capable of handling significant weight without sacrificing resolution. Highlighting this trend, Comet Yxlon introduced a new configuration for its FF85 CT system at the 'Control 2025' event in May 2025, designed to inspect parts weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, such as complete battery packs and large automotive castings. This demand contributes to the financial resilience of major industry players, as evidenced by Bruker reporting revenues of $2.46 billion for the first nine months of 2025, reflecting sustained investment in scientific instruments.

Market Challenges

As outlined in the overview, the primary challenge impeding the growth of the Global Micro Computed Tomography Market is the prohibitive financial outlay and budgetary constraints linked to acquiring and maintaining these complex systems. This high capital requirement serves as a significant barrier to entry, particularly for small-scale research facilities and academic institutions that operate with limited funding. When procurement costs exceed available budgets, these organizations are forced to delay or cancel the purchase of high-resolution scanners, resulting in a bottleneck in adoption capabilities across cost-sensitive segments of the economy.

This financial strain is substantiated by recent industrial data indicating a tightening of capital availability in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, which are key end-users of this technology. In 2024, the American Hospital Association reported that hospitals and health systems experienced a 28.3% decline in days cash on hand since the start of 2022, severely restricting the liquidity available for investing in advanced imaging technologies. Such contraction in financial reserves directly hampers the ability of institutions to conduct the precise failure analysis and tissue visualization that micro computed tomography facilitates.

Market Trends

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning for Automated Image Reconstruction is fundamentally altering the workflow efficiency of micro computed tomography systems by eliminating the reliance on manual expertise for data analysis. Advanced algorithms are now capable of automating complex segmentation tasks and noise reduction, which significantly accelerates the time-to-result for industrial users. In April 2025, Volume Graphics announced the release of its VGTRAINER application, which enables time savings of more than 80% in the inspection workflow by allowing non-experts to train deep-learning models for automated segmentation. This trend democratizes high-level image processing, allowing operators with limited technical backgrounds to achieve consistent, high-fidelity reconstructions.

Concurrently, the Commercialization of Phase-Contrast Micro-CT for Soft Tissue Visualization is gaining momentum as new techniques overcome the historical speed limitations of this modality. While traditional absorption-based CT struggles with low-density materials, phase-contrast methods enhance contrast for soft tissues, yet they have historically required lengthy, complex multi-exposure scans that hindered broader adoption. In November 2025, researchers at the University of Houston demonstrated a new single-shot method capable of capturing attenuation, differential phase, and dark field contrast simultaneously, eliminating the need for the 10 to 20 movements typically required in conventional interferometry. This advancement allows for the rapid, non-destructive visualization of detailed soft tissue structures, such as lung air pockets, without the need for staining agents.

Key Players Profiled in the Micro Computed Tomography Market

• Bruker Corporation
• PerkinElmer Inc.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Carl Zeiss AG
• NeoScan Solutions GmbH
• Sanying Precision Instruments Co.,Ltd.
• North Star Imaging Inc.
• SCANCO Medical AG
• Tescan USA Inc.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Micro Computed Tomography Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Micro Computed Tomography Market, by Product Type:

• In-vivo
• Ex-vivo

Micro Computed Tomography Market, by Application:

• Life Science
• Bones
• Dentistry
• Plants & Food

Micro Computed Tomography Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Micro Computed Tomography Market.

Available Customization

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