Leading analytical X-ray company PANalytical (Almelo, the Netherlands) has entered a strategic alliance with neutron generator based analyzer specialist SODERN (Limeil-Brevannes, France). The result will be the long-term, exclusive, worldwide distribution and support of SODERN’s neutron based cross-belt analyzers by PANalytical. Cross-belt analyzers are used in the cement, minerals and coal industries for critical applications such as raw material real-time characterization, quarry/mine management, stockpile and raw mix control, and combustion optimization.

Guido Eggermont, Commercial Director, PANalytical, said: “Bringing SODERN’s exciting switchable neutron source technology into our portfolio is a significant move. It will widen the solutions we can provide to our customers in the cement, minerals and coal sectors. PANalytical has a great tradition in these industries and our reputation for the combination of cutting-edge technology with ultimate commitment in support and safety can only be enhanced by this new development.”

“Leveraging our unique Pulsed Fast and Thermal Neutron Analysis (PFTNA) technology with the worldwide commercial footprint of PANalytical will ensure our customers benefit from unparalleled expertise and customer support”, says Franck Poirrier, CEO of SODERN. “It will also facilitate further development of this technology into new applications and markets,” he adds.

About PANalytical

PANalytical is the world’s leading supplier of analytical instrumentation and software for X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), with more than half a century of experience. The materials characterization equipment is used for scientific research and development, for industrial process control applications and for semiconductor metrology.


PANalytical, founded in 1948 as part of Philips, employs around 900 people worldwide. Its headquarters are in Almelo, the Netherlands. Fully equipped application laboratories are established in Japan, China, the USA, and the Netherlands. PANalytical’s research activities are based in Almelo (NL) and on the campus of the University of Sussex in Brighton (UK). Supply and competence centers are located on two sites in the Netherlands: Almelo (development and production of X-ray instruments) and Eindhoven (development and production of X-ray tubes). A sales and service network in more than 60 countries ensures unrivalled levels of customer support.


The company is certified in accordance with ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001.

The product portfolio includes a broad range of XRD and XRF systems and software widely used for the analysis and materials characterization of products such as cement, metals and steel, nanomaterials, plastics, polymers and petrochemicals, industrial minerals, glass, catalysts, semiconductors, thin films and advanced materials, pharmaceutical solids, recycled materials and environmental samples.


PANalytical is part of Spectris plc, the precision instrumentation and controls company.