New Automated XRD Platform for Cement and Mining Laboratories

On October 13^th, 2026, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, Massachusetts) announced the launch of the Thermo Scientific ARL X’TRA Pro Diffractometer. This new instrument is an automated X-ray diffraction (XRD) system is designed to help cement and mining laboratories analyze more samples with less operator involvement.^1,2 According to the company, the instrument has the ability to automate the identification and quantification of mineral phases for 50–100 samples per day.^1,2 The sample types range from raw feed and clinker to finished cement and ore.^1,2

The system is intended for continuous, unattended operation. According to Thermo Fisher, the XRD system reduces the time between sample collection and results that inform product quality, process efficiency, and resource use.^1,2

What are the main two problems in industrial laboratories that Thermo Fisher’s XRD diffractor was intended to solve?

Currently, industrial laboratories face two issues. First, sample volumes are rising, and second, laboratories are reliant on specialized operators, which is not ideal.^1,2
According to the company, this combination can create workflow bottlenecks and raise operating demands.^1,2

This is especially a concern in cement and mining operations. Because mineralogical data feeds directly into process control, delays between sampling and analysis can limit how quickly plants can adjust production.

“Cement and mining laboratories need timely, reliable mineralogical data to keep pace with production,” said Carlotta Giacobbe, XRD Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, in a press release.¹ “The ARL X’TRA Pro diffractometer is designed to run day and night with minimal operator involvement, helping laboratories process more samples while delivering the data needed to support quality and process decisions.”

What is the system configuration?

The ARL X’TRA Pro uses a 3 kW X-ray source, which the company says supports both high throughput and sensitivity. An automated XYZ sample changer holds up to 98 samples, which reduces manual handling and is intended to support consistent, reproducible measurements.^1,2

Meanwhile, for detection, the ARL X’TRA Pro uses a two-dimensional (2D) solid-state detector. The optics can be configured with either adaptive or mechanical beam collimation, so laboratories can tailor the instrument to their applications and sample types.

For data analysis, the system includes Rietveld-based software that automatically identifies and quantifies mineral phases. According to Thermo Fisher, this reduces how much manual interpretation XRD experts need to do.^1,2 This is a relevant consideration for laboratories where routine quantitative phase analysis has depended on a small number of trained specialists.^1,2

The instrument also supports laboratory information management system (LIMS) integration and an OEM automation protocol. These allow it to connect to existing laboratory systems and automated sample-preparation workflows.^1,2

Is the ARL X’TRA Pro Diffractometer designed to complement other instruments?

According to Thermo Fisher Scientific, the diffractometer is built to complement its Thermo Scientific X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments.^1,2 Laboratories could then combine elemental composition data from XRF with the crystalline phase information that XRD provides within a single analytical workflow.^1,2 Combining XRF and XRD is an established approach in cement and minerals laboratories, which is why Thermo Fisher Scientific built the ARL X’TRA Pro Diffractometer.

What applications is the ARL X’TRA Pro Diffractometer intended for?

As part of their announcement, Thermo Fisher Scientific listed the intended applications for their product. Some of these applications include raw-material control and resource optimization, academic and applied materials research, quality and process control in cement production, from raw materials to finished product, process control and mineralogy in mining and mineral processing, and high-throughput quantitative phase analysis in central and quality control laboratories.^1,2

Thermo Fisher did not disclose pricing or regional availability in its announcement. More information is available on the company’s product page.

References

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Thermo Fisher Scientific Launches Thermo Scientific ARL X’TRA Pro Diffractometer to Help Cement and Mining Operations Accelerate Sample Analysis and Process Decisions. Press release. October 13, 2026.
2. Thermo Fisher Scientific, ARL X’TRA Pro Diffractometer product page. Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2026. Available at: https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/IQLAAHGABLFABAMBRC