Direct Radiography to Drive Growth of Radiology Market in Europe

Investments into X-ray systems in European markets are expected to grow further and demand for direct radiography systems will rise significantly. Computed radiography (CR) will reach saturation levels in many European markets.

The German-based market analyst firm data information intelligence (DII; Leipzig, Germany) presented details of the Hospital Radiology Census 2010 for Europe to US audiences during a webinar on December 15, 2010. "Hospitals have withdrawn and postponed investments due to recent financial turbulence, but the radiology market is now showing clear signs of recovery," said Kathrin Franke, managing consultant at DII. "The Hospital Radiology Census 2010 conducted in major European markets shows that demand for direct radiography, also known as panel detector system, will increase by 11% to 33% depending on the country." Between 2006 and 2010, the annual growth rate for direct radiography systems in Europe ranged between 10.3 and 27.8%.

The Hospital Radiology Census 2010 surveyed the investment plans and installed equipment of hospitals in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. According to this, the average budget of a radiology department in Germany, for example, is 185,000 Euros (US$250,000). The market penetration of direct radiography systems in Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom is between 25% and 38%. In France, the market penetration is at 9%. In absolute figures, German hospitals are expected to purchase 115 direct radiography systems over the next five years.

Twenty-four percent of European hospitals use direct radiography. "While more than 68% of German hospitals and more than 80% of British hospitals use computed radiography, the European average of hospitals who use direct radiography systems is only about 24%," says Kathrin Franke. "We are therefore concluding that the investments into direct radiography systems in many countries will increase as the market for computed radiography reaches saturation."

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