Develops and manufactures analysis instruments for particle characterization – size, shape, surface, porosity and stability.
Microtrac Retsch GmbH
Haan, DE · Montgomeryville, US · York, PA, US · Osaka, JP · Toulouse, FRNew on Amplifa
About Microtrac Retsch
Microtrac Retsch GmbH is part of the internationally active Microtrac group (Verder Scientific) headquartered in Haan near Düsseldorf. The company develops and manufactures analysis instruments for the characterization of particle systems: particle size and shape (laser diffraction, dynamic image analysis, DLS), specific surface area and pore size distribution (gas and vapor adsorption, mercury porosimetry), zeta potential, density, catalyst evaluation as well as stability and shelf life of formulations (SMLS). Well-known product lines are SYNC, CAMSIZER, NANOTRAC, STABINO ZETA, BELSORP, BELCAT and TURBISCAN. The instruments are developed and produced in Montgomeryville and York (Pennsylvania, USA), in Osaka (Japan) for gas adsorption technology, and in Toulouse (France) for stability analysis. Applications include quality control, process monitoring as well as research and development, among others in the fields of construction materials/cement, pharmaceuticals, catalyst research, nanomaterials and materials research. In addition to the instruments, application consulting, online product demos and a technical service with maintenance, repair, calibration and IQ/OQ/PQ qualification are offered.
- Site
- Haan
- Processes
- Laser diffraction (LD) for particle size analysis, Dynamic image analysis (DIA) – particle size and shape, Dynamic light scattering (DLS) – hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, molecular weight, Gas & vapor adsorption – surface area, porosity, pore size distribution (BET), Static multiple light scattering (SMLS) – stability & shelf life of formulations, Mercury porosimetry – pore size distribution, pore volume, surface area, Streaming potential – zeta potential measurement, Density measurement (gas pycnometer)
- Materials
- Cement / cement powder, Sands and aggregates, Fillers, Glass beads (reflective glass spheres), Fibers (natural and technical/engineered wood fibers), Catalysts, Colloids / nanoparticles / nanomaterials, Pharmaceuticals
- Certificates
- ISO 9001:2015, DIN EN ISO 14001:2015, ISO 14001:2015
- Founded
- 1972 (Micr
- Industries
- Construction Materials/Cement, Pharmaceuticals, Catalyst Research, Nanomaterials, Materials Research
- 01
Research and development
- 02
Development and production of the measuring instruments
- 03
Calibration and qualification
- 04
Application consulting and sales via own network
- 05
Technical service (maintenance, repair, training)
Measurement Technologies and Applications
Laser Diffraction
Determines particle size distributions through fast, repeatable measurements for dry and wet samples such as cement, mineral powders and fillers.
Dynamic Image Analysis
Measures particle size and shape (e.g. roundness, aspect ratio) of granules, sands, glass beads and fibers using high-speed imaging.
Dynamic Light Scattering
Determines hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential and molecular weight, ideal for colloids, pharmaceuticals and nanomaterials.
Gas & Vapor Adsorption (BET)
Determines surface area, porosity and pore size distribution of catalysts, adsorbents and porous materials.
Static Multiple Light Scattering
Assesses the physical stability of concentrated dispersions, emulsions and suspensions in their native state.
Mercury Porosimetry
Calculates pore size distribution, pore volume and surface area of porous materials and filters.
Streaming Potential
Measures the zeta potential of particles in suspension to assess stability.
Gas Pycnometer (Density Measurement)
Determines the density of powders and solids.
Catalyst Evaluation
Characterizes active sites and behavior of catalysts.
Locations
Haan
DEMicrotrac Retsch GmbH headquarters, Verder Scientific head office; development and sales image analysis
- CAMSIZER X2+
- CAMSIZER P4
- CAMSIZER M1
- CAMSIZER XT
Montgomeryville
USDevelopment and production (Microtrac Inc.)
- SYNC Series
- Bluewave
- NANOTRAC
York, PA
USProduction (Microtrac Inc.)
Osaka
JPMicrotracBEL headquarters; development and production gas adsorption
- BELSORP-MINI X
- BELSORP MR6
- BELCAT II
- BELPORE
- BELPYCNO
Toulouse
FRDevelopment and production stability analysis; French branch office
- TURBISCAN LAB
- TURBISCAN TRILAB
- TURBISCAN TOWER V2
- TURBISCAN DNS
Product Lines
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser diffraction (LD) for particle size analysisTesting | – | – | – | – | Particles/Powders (dry and wet samples), Cement, mineral powders, fillers, Sands, aggregates, glass beads, fibers |
| Dynamic image analysis (DIA) – particle size and shapeTesting | – | – | – | – | Granules, powders, fibers, Sands, aggregates, glass beads, Natural and engineered fibers |
| Dynamic light scattering (DLS) – hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, molecular weightTesting | – | – | – | – | Colloids, pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials, Suspensions (nanoparticles) |
| Gas & vapor adsorption – surface area, porosity, pore size distribution (BET)Testing | – | – | – | – | Catalysts, adsorbents, porous materials, Porous and non-porous materials |
| Static multiple light scattering (SMLS) – stability & shelf life of formulationsTesting | – | – | – | – | Concentrated dispersions, emulsions, suspensions, Liquid dispersions in native state |
| Mercury porosimetry – pore size distribution, pore volume, surface areaTesting | – | – | – | – | Porous materials and filters, Cement/hardening porosity |
| Streaming potential – zeta potential measurementTesting | – | – | – | – | Particles in suspension |
| Density measurement (gas pycnometer)Testing | – | – | – | – | Powders/solids |
| Catalyst analysis (catalyst evaluation)Testing | – | – | – | – | Catalysts |
| Preventive maintenance, repair, calibration, IQ/OQ/PQ qualification for analysis instrumentsTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
20 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser diffraction/image analysis platform (particle size & shape, LD + DIA) | Microtrac SYNC (Series) | – | – | 2018 (Mark | Montgomeryville/York, PA, USA (manufacturing) |
| Dynamic image analysis (dual camera technology) | Microtrac Retsch CAMSIZER X2+ | – | – | – | Haan, Germany |
| Dynamic image analysis | Microtrac Retsch CAMSIZER X2 | – | – | 2014-2017 | Haan, Germany |
| Dynamic image analysis | Microtrac Retsch CAMSIZER P4 | – | – | 2014-2017 | Haan, Germany |
| Dynamic image analysis (dry and wet measurement modules) | Microtrac Retsch CAMSIZER XT | – | – | 2011 | Haan, Germany |
| Static image analyzer | Retsch Technology / Microtrac Retsch CAMSIZER M1 | – | – | 2019 | Haan, Germany |
| DLS instrument (particle size, zeta potential, molecular weight) | Microtrac NANOTRAC (Nanotrac Wave, Nanotrac Flex) | – | – | 2012 | USA |
| Laser diffraction instrument (blue lasers) | Microtrac Bluewave | – | – | 2007 | USA |
| Laser diffraction analyzer | Microtrac Model 7991 | – | – | 1974 | USA |
| Solid-state detector particle analyzer | Microtrac Model 7997 | – | – | 1987 | USA |
| Gas adsorption/BET surface area and pore analyzer | MicrotracBEL BELSORP-MINI X | – | – | 2018 | Osaka, Japan |
| Multi-sample BET surface area measurement system | MicrotracBEL BELSORP MR6 | – | – | 2013 | Osaka, Japan |
| Catalyst analyzer | MicrotracBEL BELCAT-A / BELCAT II | – | – | 2006 | Osaka, Japan |
| Breakthrough curve measurement system (adsorption column) | MicrotracBEL BELSORP-Dyna | – | – | 2002 | Osaka, Japan |
| Surface area/pore analyzer | MicrotracBEL BELSORP-28SA | – | – | 1991 | Osaka, Japan |
| Gas adsorption instrument | MicrotracBEL BELSORP-28 | – | – | 1987 | Osaka, Japan |
| Mercury porosimeter | MicrotracBEL BELPORE | – | – | – | Osaka, Japan |
| Density pycnometer | MicrotracBEL BELPYCNO | – | – | – | Osaka, Japan |
| Zeta potential measuring instrument (streaming potential) | Microtrac STABINO ZETA | – | – | – | – |
| Colloidal stability/dispersibility analyzer (SMLS) | Microtrac Formulaction TURBISCAN (LAB, TRILAB, TOWER V2, DNS) | – | – | – | Toulouse, France |
Additional services
Quality and Certification
Microtrac Retsch is certified according to ISO 9001:2015 and DIN EN ISO 14001:2015 (Kiwa International Cert GmbH, valid until 21.09.2028); Microtrac Inc. (USA) and Microtrac Formulaction (France) are additionally certified according to ISO 9001:2015. Quality assurance includes calibrations with certificate as well as IQ/OQ/PQ qualifications for regulated industries.
| Evidence | Haan | Montgomeryville | Toulouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001:2015 | |||
| ISO 14001:2015 |
Company History
- 1972
Founding of Microtrac (USA).
- 1974
First commercial laser diffraction analyzer, Model 7991.
- 1985
Naono and Nakai begin development of automated gas adsorption measurement (BEL).
- 1987
Introduction of the first solid-state detector particle analyzer Model 7997 as well as the gas adsorption instrument BELSORP-28.
- 1988
Founding of BEL JAPAN, Inc. (today MicrotracBEL).
- 1991
Market launch of the surface area and pore analyzer BELSORP-28SA.
- 1999
Founding of Microtrac Inc.
- 2000
Retsch Technology becomes an independent company focusing on CAMSIZER® (dynamic image analysis).
- 2002
Launch of the breakthrough curve measurement system BELSORP-Dyna.
- 2006
Market launch of the catalyst analyzer BELCAT-A.
- 2007
Introduction of the laser diffraction instrument Bluewave with blue lasers.
- 2011
Introduction of the CAMSIZER XT with modules for dry and wet measurement.
- 2012
Presentation of the DLS instrument Nanotrac Wave (particle size, zeta potential, molecular weight).
- 2013
Introduction of the multi-sample BET system BELSORP MR6.
- 2014–2017
Further development of the CAMSIZER product line; market launch of the P4 and X2 models.
- 2018
Market launch of the SYNC series (laser diffraction and image analysis in one instrument) as well as the BELSORP-MINI X.
- 2019
Market launch of the static image analyzer CAMSIZER M1.
- 2020
Rename of Retsch Technology GmbH to Microtrac Retsch GmbH.
- 2023
Verder Scientific acquires Formulaction; creation of Microtrac Formulaction SAS.
- 2024
Microtrac Formulaction becomes the French branch office with the full Microtrac portfolio.