Facts, Figures, and Publications

Digital, connected, and powered by artificial intelligence: The laboratory of the future is becoming a reality. Since the need for a standardized data interface was recognized nearly 10 years ago, the vision of an AI-supported laboratory has become a reality. This publication uses concrete examples to illustrate the diverse applications of AI in the laboratory setting. Applications range from diagnostics and quality control to drug synthesis, all of which increase efficiency and accelerate research. However, human-machine interaction remains central, with artificial intelligence providing support but not replacing human involvement. The publication emphasizes the importance of an objective discussion about AI and its impact on society. With a positive outlook on the future, manufacturers of analytical, bio, and laboratory technology stand ready to support companies on this journey.

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The importance of sustainability in the laboratory is growing, even though the path to a sustainable laboratory is a long journey with many stages and numerous hurdles.

But to what extent has this new way of thinking and acting taken hold in laboratories, or has it long since become part of everyday life? How much room do compliance with standards, validations, and certifications leave for considering sustainability aspects? What do laboratories on the ground need to be able to operate more sustainably? How can suppliers contribute through their own behavior and offerings? To find answers to these questions, SPECTARIS commissioned the management consulting firm TDCLAB to conduct a survey of approximately 80 laboratories in Germany. The results of the survey, which form the core of the SPECTARIS study “Quo vadis? On the Path to Greater Sustainability in the Laboratory,” shed light on the tension between sustainability and factors such as functionality, quality, and performance, as well as the tight constraints imposed by legal requirements and customer specifications, and the ever-present pressure to reduce costs.

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The study by SPECTARIS and Messe München highlights the importance of analytics for today’s drinking water supply. It tells the success story of drinking water analytics in Germany. And it impresses with facts and figures: 553 laboratories in Germany monitor the quality of drinking water, taking on a major challenge in the process. This is because more than 16,000 water treatment plants extract approximately 5.2 billion cubic meters of water per year, of which just under 3.7 billion cubic meters are supplied to households and small businesses. The report also makes it clear that the demands on drinking water and food analysis have risen steadily in recent years—and that, thanks to high-tech solutions, researchers, developers, and manufacturers are able to provide increasingly precise measurement methods to meet these demands. 

About the Study

The coronavirus has the world firmly in its grip.

How significant is the impact on laboratories in the key industrial sectors? What is the current sentiment, and what are the prospects? What impact will this have on budgets through the end of the year or for 2021? Dr. Kirsten Siebertz explored these questions. Drawing on her extensive network for market research and lead generation across all industries, she spoke with relevant decision-makers and summarized the insights she gained.

Dr. Kirsten Siebertz, owner and managing director of TDCLAB, worked as a chemist in scientific and industrial research in the fields of chemistry and microbiology—in both cases with a strong focus on analytics. She gained her expertise in sales, marketing, technical telemarketing, and market research while working for a global laboratory supply company and a technology-oriented marketing service provider.

For more information about TDCLAB, please visit the website:

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Market Study on the COVID-19 Situation in Laboratories

The results of our October survey on the economic situation in the analytical, biotechnology, and laboratory technology sectors—in which approximately 50 companies participated—confirm the concerns raised in previous surveys, but also show signs of improvement.

Although the laboratory industry in particular is under significant strain in the medical response to the COVID-19 crisis, there has been an overall decline in revenue, and lasting changes to business processes are expected. Forty-one percent of companies report a business situation that has worsened compared to the previous year, while 39 percent (June survey: 54 percent) report a significant drop in demand. Thirty-four percent have implemented reduced working hours, at least temporarily. A revenue decline of about four percent is expected for 2020 as a whole; for international business, the projected decline is slightly higher at five percent.

Companies’ current assessment has improved compared to the June survey, when a decline of six and ten percent, respectively, was still expected. Actual order intake, which was still seven percent below the corresponding period of the previous year from January through May, is also showing a more positive trend, with a decline of about 4.5 percent from January through September. Based on this sentiment, the industry—with its nearly 50,000 employees—is expected to generate revenue of about 9 billion euros this year, of which just under 5 billion euros will come from abroad.

In this year dominated by the coronavirus, demand was particularly strong for consumer goods, as well as viral diagnostic devices, test kits, sterilizers, and technology and laboratory equipment for cell analysis and pharmaceutical research. By contrast, demand declined, particularly for capital goods for the chemical industry—including the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors—as well as for the automotive sector.

We would like to thank all survey participants for their support!