Market Profile: UHPLC Versus Standard HPLC

UHPLC Versus Standard HPLC

Ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) systems are designed to take full advantage of sub-2-µm particles, which yield higher resolution and increased sensitivity. Because of increased back pressure, UHPLC systems employ high-performance pumps that deliver 15,000 psi (1000 bar) or more of pressure. Some systems solve the back-pressure issue by elevating temperatures (via column oven), which lowers the viscosity of the mobile phase and allows it to move faster through the column. UHPLC systems have been shown to provide analysis times of less than 1 min.

HPLC vs. UHPLC purchasing: 2011–2015.

The introduction of the UHPLC technology has forever changed the dynamics of the liquid chromatography market. Even though UHPLC has its drawbacks, including the high initial systems price tag compared to standard high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the technology has been steadily replacing standard HPLC systems in laboratories across the world. It is to no surprise that in SDI's recently conducted survey of liquid chromatography users, the majority of end users indicated having a UHPLC system in their laboratory. However, for those who did not, the lack of laboratory budget was the biggest hurdle in obtaining one.

To understand the purchasing patterns when it comes to the standard HPLC and UHPLC technologies, SDI asked the participants to indicate the types of liquid chromatography systems they have purchased in 2011 and 2012 and what they plan on purchasing from 2013 to 2015. According to the responses, standard HPLC system purchases have been declining and are expected to steadily decline from 2011 to 2015, respectively, while UHPLC systems are experiencing a higher purchasing rate for the same time frame.

The foregoing data were extracted and adapted from SDi's recently published Tactical Sales and Marketing (TSM) report titled HPLC: End Users Influencing Development for Advanced HPLC Systems, Columns and Chemistry. For more information, contact Glenn Cudiamat, VP of Research Services, Strategic Directions International, Inc., 6242 Westchester Parkway, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90045, (310) 641-4982, fax: (310) 641-8851, e-mail: cudiamat@strategic-directions.com