HORIBA has introduced Partica™, a new laser diffraction and dynamic image analysis particle size and shape analyzer built for research, development, and quality-control work on advanced materials, the company said in a recent announcement.1
According to HORIBA, Partica pairs laser diffraction particle-size measurement with dynamic image analysis of particle shape in a single system, returning results in roughly a minute.1 The company estimates that turnaround as up to 50% faster than its legacy analyzers, though actual gains will vary by application and operating conditions.1 HORIBA said the instrument builds on its existing particle-characterization technology and delivers high-precision results across a wide size range, positioning it among the top performers in its category based on internal testing the company completed Aug. 1, 2024.1
HORIBA is positioning Partica for sectors where particle size and shape have a direct bearing on product performance, such as semiconductor manufacturing, battery materials, pharmaceuticals, and catalyst production.1 In each of these areas, precise particle characterization feeds directly into product development timelines, manufacturing efficiency, and quality-assurance programs.1 The company groups Partica's target markets under three strategic business fields: Energy & Environment, which covers catalyst research and battery material development and quality control; Bio & Healthcare, spanning antibody and cell research, pharmaceutical and cosmetic development, and food and beverage quality control; and Materials & Semiconductor, covering CMP slurry and adhesive production for semiconductor wafers, chemical industry research and quality control, and material development for multilayer ceramic capacitors and printing inks.1
Alongside the hardware, HORIBA overhauled Partica's software to be more usable, scalable, and efficient in day-to-day workflows.1 The update adds remote-operation and automation tools along with features aimed at data-integrity compliance, which the company says can help laboratories and manufacturing sites streamline their processes.1
"The demand for advanced particle measurement solutions continues to grow across industries," said Tetsuya Mori, global product line manager at HORIBA Ltd., in a press release. "With nearly 40 years of experience in the particle size analyzer market, HORIBA developed Partica to address evolving customer needs. The system supports applications such as analyzing pharmaceutical particle characteristics that affect absorption efficiency and accelerating evaluation of powder fluidity, which influences production performance."
Mori added that Partica aligns with HORIBA's Mid-Long Term Management Plan, MLMAP2028, supporting the company's strategic focus areas of Energy & Environment, Bio & Healthcare, and Materials & Semiconductor.1
HORIBA's internal research puts the global particle measurement market at roughly $1.14 billion, with average annual growth of about 5.7% projected from 2022 through 2027.1
Founded in 1953, HORIBA operates group companies and local operations across 29 countries and regions as of Dec. 31, 2025, applying its measurement and analysis expertise to fields including Energy & Environment, Bio & Healthcare, and Materials & Semiconductor.2 The launch of Partica reflects the company's continued push to expand its particle-characterization lineup after nearly 40 years in the analyzer market.1,2
