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This section provides an overview for refractometers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 33 refractometer manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked refractometer companies as of December, 2024: 1.Zebra Skimmers, 2.Lazar Scientific, Inc, 3.Rudolph Research Analytical.
Table of Contents
A refractometer is a device for measuring the refractive index of a sample.
When the light source wavelength, temperature, and pressure are constant, the refractive index is unique to the substance and is used to identify and test the purity of the substance. The Brix sugar meter, which is used to measure the sugar content of fruit juices and beverages, is another type of refractometer that uses the effect of the concentration of sugar in the sample solution on the refractive index.
The refractometer requires precise sample preparation under stable temperature conditions because of the influence of temperature and sample concentration.
Refractometers can be used to quantitatively measure the refractive index of a substance, which is a measure of purity because it varies from substance to substance. While HPLC or GC analysis is required to determine purity in more detail, a refractometer is the best choice for quick and easy measurement.
Brix analyzers are used to measure the sugar content, salt content, nectar content, and other components of food products for quality control and production process management. The Brix Glycometer, which measures the sugar content of food products, measures the refractometer by placing fruit juice or beverages on the measuring section.
Since the refractive index correlates with the concentration of sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose, etc.), the refractive index can be converted to Brix sugar content (unit: °Bx) and displayed.
The concentration, purity, and density of chemical substances are evaluated and used in the development of new drugs and for quality assurance.
Determines the composition of biological samples (blood, urine, etc.) for medical research and diagnostics.
Used to monitor chemical reactions and analyze the composition of liquids.
Water quality and oceanographic studies Used to investigate the properties of substances in water.
The following is an explanation of the principle of the "critical angle method" commonly used in refractometers as an example.
When the light source wavelength, temperature, and pressure are constant, the refractive index is a material-specific value. In quality control of food and pharmaceutical products, this method is sometimes used for purity control, for example, by setting a control range for the refractive index of each item.
In addition to the critical angle method, the refractive index can also be measured by the minimum declination method and the V-block method. Since each of these methods has its characteristics, the measurement method should be selected according to the application.
A refractometer consists of a prism, a light source, and a detector. The light source and detector are located inside the instrument, while the prism is exposed on the instrument's surface. The refractive index can be measured by placing a sample solution on the prism and refracting the substance.
Used to measure the refractive index of liquids. The Brix sugar meter is also classified as a liquid refractometer.
The liquid sample is placed in a cell and the cell is attached to a refractometer. Liquid Refractometers are available in three measurement methods: minimum declination, sea angle, and V-block.
Used to measure the refractive index of solid samples. It can measure the refractive indices of crystals, films, membranes, and fibers. It is mainly used in physical properties research and crystallography.
As with the liquid Refractometer, it can be used to measure in three different ways: the minimum declination method, the critical angle method, and the V-block method, but for film samples, it can only be used in the critical angle method.
Handheld and tabletop refractometers are available, and handheld refractometers are often used when the refractometer is brought into an agricultural field or factory.
Measurement standards for refractometers are specified for each object. The main standards followed are the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the ISO standards, and the Japanese Optical Glass Industrial Standards (JOGIS).
Light travels straight through a uniform medium, but when it encounters a medium with different properties, it is reflected or refracted at the boundary. In a non-uniform medium, light rays are continuously bent.
The refractive index determines the trajectory of light rays and is the most important material constant in optics. The refractive index is expressed as "phase speed of light in vacuum/phase speed of light in material.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Rudolph Research Analytical, a company founded in 1930 and headquartered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, United States, is a manufacturer and supplier of automatic laboratory instruments. The company specializes in producing precision instruments for measuring the optical properties and physical characteristics of various materials. They offer a wide range of products, including refractometers, polarimeters, density meters, and spectroscopy instruments, used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, and academia. The company also provides customer services, including technical support, training, and application assistance, to meet customers’ needs.
Lazar Scientific, Inc. was established in 1998 and is based in Indiana, United States is a manufacturer of advanced scientific and laboratory equipment. The company product range includes spectroscopy systems, chromatography equipment, material testing instruments, and more. The company specialize in providing precision instruments that cater to various research, industrial, and educational needs. The company manufacturing partners include stanhope seta co, seta analytics, schmidt + haensch and psl-rheotek. The company also provide customer services, troubleshooting and training programs.
Established in 1987, Zebra Skimmers is a manufacturer of oil skimming solutions based in the USA. Specializing in designing and producing oil skimmers used in various industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and wastewater treatment. Their main products include belt oil skimmers, tube skimmers, and floating suction skimmers, designed to efficiently remove oil and other contaminants from water and liquids. With a devotion to environmental sustainability, Zebra Skimmers offers cost-effective solutions that help industries reduce their ecological footprint. Renowned for reliability, performance, and low maintenance, Zebra Skimmers has a history of excellence and a continuous improvement in oil separation technology.
Optika Italy, established in 1971 and headquartered in Ponteranica, Italy, is a manufacturer and supplier of microscopes and microscopy accessories. The company offers a range of products, including biological microscopes, stereo microscopes, polarizing microscopes, inverted microscopes, and digital cameras with software. These tools find application across diverse sectors such as education, research, industry, and medicine. All of its processes adhere to the Quality Management System, following the UNI EN ISO 9001 standard.
PRONOVA, founded in 1998 and based in Berlin, Germany, is a manufacturer of analytical and measurement equipment. The company specializes in gas analysis equipment for measuring flue and process gases, water analysis equipment, and agricultural measuring solutions. With in-house hardware and software development capabilities, it is capable of offering customer-specific OEM products. It has been serving biogas plants, sewage and landfill sites, and laboratory facilities while also following the standards of DIN/ISO 9001:2008 certification.
Schmidt + Haensch GmbH & Co. is a manufacturer of optical-electronic measuring equipment established in Berlin, Germany, in 1864. The company specializes in manufacturing products for laboratories and the industrial sector. These products include polarimeters for measuring parameters such as enantiomeric excess and optical rotation, and refractometers for measuring parameters such as concentration and refractive index. It also offers colorimeters, density meters, and technical support services. The company's products are commonly used in educational and research institutions, as well as in the chemical and biotech industries.
Atago Co., Ltd., established in 1940 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer that specializes in the development and manufacturing of refractometers. The company’s product line includes pocket refractometer, digital hand held pocket refractometer, and Starr X Series. It also offers PAL-2, PEN Urine S, PAL-UREA, and PAL-1 BLT. Its refractometers are designed to be easy to use, even for individuals who are not familiar with refractometers. The company has achieved has achieved the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point certification. Its refractometers can be used in various industries, including food and beverage, medical, cosmetics, and chemicals.
Sato Keiryoki Mfg. Co., Ltd., established in 1951 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of temperature measurement and instrumentation products. Its product range includes glass thermometers, industrial thermometers, bimetal thermometers, waterproof digital thermometers, and infrared thermometers. These instruments serve a wide array of applications, spanning industries such as manufacturing and meteorology. The company holds several certifications such as ISO9001, and ISO14001, underscoring its adherence to quality and compliance. The company has been designated as a national accredited calibration body for humidity measurement by the Japanese Government.
Kyoto Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (KEM), established in 1961 in Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of scientific instruments, medical instruments, and medical substance generators. The company's product line has grown to include an extensive line of analytical instruments and thermal measuring equipment that includes automatic potentiometric titrators, Karl Fischer moisture titrators, density and specific gravity meters, and thermal measuring instruments to measure the thermal conductivity and heat flow of various substances and materials. The company's equipment and instruments are used across the chemical, electricity, paint, food and beverage, and petrochemical industries, among many others.
Labline Stock Centre., a company originated in 1986, based in Maharashtra, India, is a manufacturers, exporter and dealers of Lab Instruments. The company range of products includes Vaccum Oven, Lab Centrifuge, Heating Mantle, Muffle Furnace, and Water Still Micropipette. The company offers a wide assortment of Scientific Lab Instruments which are useful in various labs and research centers. The company use excellent quality raw materials for processing these products and also customize these products in various dimensions.
ACMAS Technologies Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in New Delhi, India, is a manufacturer and supplier of scientific, laboratory, and testing equipment. Its extensive product range includes spectrometers for chemical analysis, crucible furnaces for melting and heating, oscilloscopes for waveform visualization, data loggers for data recording, and an array of laboratory equipment like centrifuges, ovens, and balances which are utilized in academic, biotechnology, chemical, electronics, and food and beverage sectors. Apart from its regular equipment, customized scientific equipment as per the requirements and specifications provided are also available.
Mettler Toledo was incorporated in 1945 in Toledo, Ohio, and is today headquartered in Greifensee, Switzerland. Mettler Toledo is a manufacturer of various analytical instruments for use in laboratories, industrial and manufacturing, and food retailing applications to customers globally. Mettler Toledo offers many products across product lines for uses such as product inspection, process analytics, jewelry scales, moisture analyzers, and software for laboratory weighing. Mettler Toledo also offers numerous accessories such as density kits, hands-free accessories, weighing tables, and weight accessories.
Anton Paar, founded in 1933 and headquartered in Graz, Austria, is a manufacturer and supplier of analytical instruments Their product range includes density meters for measuring liquid and solid density, concentration meters for analyzing solution concentration, viscosity meters for assessing liquid viscosity, particle size analyzers for measuring particle size in liquids or solids, and chromatography systems for substance separation and identification in mixtures. Anton Paar's products cater to a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical, providing analytical solutions for diverse applications.
Teledyne FLIR LLC, originally known as FLIR Systems and founded in 1978, is an American manufacturer headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, specializing in thermal imaging cameras and sensors, now operating as a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated. FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) offers handheld and fixed mount thermal cameras, thermal security cameras, thermography cameras, machine vision cameras, and gas detection cameras. They provide airborne systems, unmanned aerial and ground systems, land and maritime systems, and traffic management software. These products find applications in various fields and industries, such as airborne law enforcement, border and maritime patrol, critical infrastructure and force protection, search and rescue operations.
Neurtek International SRL, founded in 1979, is a manufacturer headquartered in Eibar (Gipuzkoa), Spain, specializing in equipment and technical solutions for quality control. The company's offerings encompass a range of coating test equipment, which includes instruments for testing adhesion, impact resistance, skid resistance, flexibility, and test panels. The company also provides viscosity cups, along with film thickness meters designed for measuring dry and wet coatings on various substrates, including ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Furthermore, the company offers spectrophotometers, colorimeters, lighting booths, as well as laboratory equipment, including pH meters. These products serve diverse industries such as automotive, aerospace, chemicals, and research institutions.
Magnaflux, established in 1929 and headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, is a manufacturer that provides non-destructive testing solutions using techniques such as magnetic particle inspection, penetrant, and resonant testing. The company's products include liquid penetrant testing, magnetic particle inspection, UV lamps, aqueous cleaners, and accessories for magnetic particle inspection. It also offers ultrasonic testing couplants and gels for professional non-destructive testing. Its products can detect surface and subsurface discontinuities in ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic materials. The company has achieved ISO 9001 certification for its quality management system. Its products are used in various applications, from automobiles to bridges, airplanes, buildings, and railroads.
TOP Cloud-agri, founded in 2008 and based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China, is a manufacturer and designer of agriculture testing instruments. The company produces products such as weather monitor instruments, food safety instruments, flour and oil testing instruments, and general lab equipment. All the testing instruments made by the company are used in seed breeding, cleaning, storage, and water quality detection. The company holds 14 national invention patents, 20 appearance patents, 57 utility model patents, and 70 software copyrights with ISO 9 0 0 1, ISO 1 4 0 0 1, and ISO 4 5 0 0 1 certificates.
FLEXIM, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, is a supplier and manufacturer of flow measurement solutions since 1990. They offer non-intrusive, ultrasonic flow meters for accurate volume and mass flow measurement of liquids and gases. They also provide PIOX process analyzers and VISOFLOW visualization systems. These products find applications in industries such as industrial processes, energy management, water and wastewater treatment, oil and gas, and chemical processing. FLEXIM is SIL certified and also provides additional services such as on-site measurements, lab analysis, instrument commissioning, rentals, and consulting services.
Auxilab S.L., founded in 1985 in Zaragoza, Spain, is a manufacturer and supplier of lab equipment and scientific instruments. The company's extensive product lineup includes laboratory glassware, plasticware, and other essential tools utilized in various research, education, and industrial applications. Auxilab's products are integral for accurate experimentation and analysis in fields such as biology, and physics. Their product quality and precision ensure the advancement of scientific knowledge and creativity. The company also aims to serve the scientific community with ideal, quality equipment that supports research, learning, and discovery.
Cannon Instrument Company Inc. founded in 1938 by Dr. Michael R. Cannon, is a manufacturer, offering a diverse range of quality viscosity-related solutions including glass viscometers, viscosity standards, automated viscometers, and constant temperature baths. The company has gained global reach for its viscosity-related products and services. With a legacy spanning over eight decades, Cannon Instrument Company is a big name in the field of viscosity measurement. Since its inception, the company has uplifted to its status as a provider of essential products for various industries requiring precise viscosity analysis.
A.KRÜSS, since 1796, has been a manufacturer of high-precision analysis and laboratory instruments. The instruments are refractometers, polarimeters, density meters, flame photometers, and melting point meters. More products are circulating thermostats, gas analyzers, microscopes, spectroscopes, and spectral measuring instruments. The company in Germany is ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 certified and provides services such as application consulting, product demonstration, calibration & adjustments, maintenance & repair, and installation with warranty extensions. The company has a pages campus with facts about density measurement, radioactivity, measuring methods, and optical devices.
Xylem Analytics Germany Sales GmbH & Co. KG., established in 1914 and headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, United Kingdom, is a manufacturer and supplier of refractometers and polarimeters. The company's product range includes digital refractometers, polarimeters, Abbe refractometers, automatic refractometers, and portable refractometers, serving industries such as food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and environmental. Its services comprise design and engineering, testing and certification, supply chain management, and technical support. The company also holds an ISO 9001:2015 certification, reflecting its devotion to delivering quality refractometers and polarimeters.
Vaisala, established in 1936 in Finland, is a technology company that is a manufacturer of electronic measurement systems and equipment for meteorology, environmental sciences, traffic safety, and industry worldwide. The Company's products include radiosondes, barometric pressure measurements, weather stations, lighting detection systems, and moisture measurement solutions. Vaisala also sells a large selection of its products directly to consumers via the company's online store. The company also provides commercial clients with the XWeather subscription service, which offers numerous options for industrial-grade environmental measurement.
Acustrip, established in 1987, is a South Carolina-based manufacturer of liquid diagnostic test strips for the evaluation of all automotive fluids including antifreeze, brake fluid, as well as engine oil. The company also offer diagnostic test strip kits for other applications such as testing the concentration of battery electrolyte and cleaning fluids. Acustrip's range of customers includes truck stop service providers, truck fleet managers, as well as antifreeze OEMs, and engine manufacturers. The company is also a major supplier of antifreeze coolant, brake fluid make-up water, and DEF diagnostics tests.
Labomiz Scientific Ltd., Founded in the year 2007, is a manufacturer and global supplier of laboratory and scientific equipment. The company serves educational institutions and research laboratories worldwide. Labomiz's comprehensive range of laboratory equipment is designed to meet the needs of various industries and research fields. The company has established itself as a source for classy laboratory instruments, supported by a team of skilled professionals in marketing, sales, application, and support. Labomiz Scientific Ltd. continues to scientific advancements through its advanced and laboratory equipment offerings.
Swastik Scientific Instruments Private Limited., established in 2015 and located at Thane, Maharashtra is a Manufacturer and Supplier of Scientific Instruments. The company product range offered are Spectrophotometers, P H Meter Digital, Melt Point Apparatus Automatic and more. The company offered products are made in accordance to the set industry parameters.The company products are used across the markets like building, engineering for its sturdy construction, optimum performance, fine finish and longer life span.
PCE Instruments UK Ltd., started in 199 and headquartered in Manchester, UK, is a manufacturer and supplier of test instruments, equipment, and tools for weighing, measuring, and control systems. The company offers more than 500 test equipment, including analyzers, inspection cameras, meters, detectors, and sensors, with applications in various fields like data acquisition, electrical engineering, environmental science, building inspection, and food processing. Its manufacturing and development division is ISO 9001 certified, all its test instruments, equipment, and tools are factory calibrated, and the company also provides services for custom test instrument design, installation, and maintenance.
IDEX Health & Science, established in 1971 and headquartered in Rohnert Park, California, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of fluidics and optics products and solutions. The company’s fluidics product range includes valves, connectors, filters, and other components vital for precise fluid control. In optics, they offer microscopes, imaging systems, and optical instruments. These products find applications in various fields, including medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research, industrial manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and food/beverage testing. Devoted to quality and sustainability, the company serves its global customers with over 7,000 employees under the umbrella of IDEX Corporation.
Esco Company Ltd., established in 1972 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a supplier of maintenance, repair, and operations tools, parts, and equipment. Some of its products include test instruments, magnets, office furniture, protective equipment, and generators, and it serves customers in various fields, including construction sites and office buildings. The company was started to market tools to the air conditioning and refrigeration industry in Japan, and every year since then, it has published a catalog of its tools. In 2015, the catalog reached 110,000 products, and the company has approximately 149,000 items in stock for delivery.
Solar Biz Inc. began in the 1970s in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconson. Solar Biz offers complete solar panel systems for residential and commercial customers ranging from under 5 watts to over 400 watts. Systems include solar panel components with racking and mounting, inverters, power centers, solar charge controllers, batteries, and accessories, AC and DC enclosures, circuit protection, hydro and wind generators and accessories, water pumps and water filtering, tanks, heaters, hot tubs, rain catchments, and appliances such as fans, gas ranges, refrigerators and freezers.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zebra Skimmers |
6.6%
|
| 2 | Lazar Scientific, Inc |
6.1%
|
| 3 | Rudolph Research Analytical |
5.4%
|
| 4 | Mettler-Toledo |
5.2%
|
| 5 | A.KRÜSS |
4.4%
|
| 6 | Anton Paar GmbH |
4.4%
|
| 7 | KYOTO ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. |
4.2%
|
| 8 | Pronova Analysentechnik GmbH & Co. KG |
4.1%
|
| 9 | OPTIKA S.r.l. |
3.9%
|
| 10 | Sato Keiryoki Mfg. Co., Ltd |
3.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the refractometer page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
3 | 18.8% |
|
Germany
|
3 | 18.8% |
|
Japan
|
3 | 18.8% |
|
India
|
3 | 18.8% |
|
Italy
|
1 | 6.3% |
|
Austria
|
1 | 6.3% |
|
Canada
|
1 | 6.3% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 6.3% |
Anton Paar GmbH
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