Development History of Domestic Imported Centrifuge Brand Manufacturers

Common imported centrifuge brands in China include: Germany’s Eppendorf, Germany’s SIGMA, the U.S.’s Sorvall, the U.S.’s Beckman, Germany’s Hettich, Germany’s Heraus, and Japan’s Hitachi, among others.

1. Eppendorf, Germany: Founded in 1945, Eppendorf designs products across multiple fields in life sciences. Among these, the Eppendorf tube—commonly referred to as an "ep tube"—has become a proprietary term for microcentrifuge tubes used in laboratories, underscoring its significant influence in the microcentrifugation field. Eppendorf officially launched its centrifuge business in 1962 and currently focuses primarily on benchtop high-speed centrifuges. In particular, Eppendorf holds a major global presence and enjoys widespread adoption in the microcentrifuge segment.

2. Germany’s SIGMA: Founded in 1948, SIGMA initially focused exclusively on centrifuge technology (later, its freeze-drying equipment division developed independently to become today’s Christ company). Currently, the company primarily specializes in the production and R&D of high-speed benchtop centrifuges. Its flagship products are benchtop centrifuges capable of speeds ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 rpm, and it also provides OEM services for companies in Europe and the U.S., such as certain benchtop centrifuges for Beckman, as well as for SARTORIUS and QIAGEN. It is worth noting that in the late 1960s, SIGMA sold its centrifuge division to Germany’s Heraus Group while retaining its R&D department. On this basis, Heraus began manufacturing centrifuges in 1970. Thus, it is evident that SIGMA holds a unique position and significant influence in the global centrifuge industry.

3. Sorvall (USA), a brand under THERMO: Currently a brand under Thermo Fisher Scientific. Originally part of DuPont’s centrifuge division, Sorvall was one of the earliest companies to manufacture medical centrifuges. As early as World War II, in response to U.S. wartime needs, Sorvall developed the world’s first blood bank centrifuge for blood separation. To this day, Sorvall’s floor-standing, high-capacity centrifuges still account for over 90% of the global blood-system market. In addition, Sorvall also offers ultracentrifuges capable of speeds exceeding 80,000 rpm. At present, its main competitive products are large-capacity, floor-standing centrifuges.

4. Beckman of the United States: Founded in 1935, Beckman launched the Model E analytical ultracentrifuge in 1947. Beckman places great emphasis on the R&D of high-end centrifuges and has consistently maintained a technological edge in ultracentrifugation, continuously introducing new technologies and products. Today, Beckman holds a dominant share of the global ultracentrifuge market. Currently, some smaller centrifuge models are manufactured by SIGMA under contract manufacturing arrangements.

5. Hettich from Germany: Founded in 1904, Hettich is a long-established European manufacturer specializing in the R&D and production of centrifuges. It has consistently held the largest market share and enjoys high praise and recognition in German laboratories. In China, however, due to a relatively chaotic agency system and management approach, its sales are significantly lower than those of SIGMA and EPPENDORF. Among its centrifuge products, benchtop centrifuges constitute the mainstay.

6. Heraus (a brand under THERMO), Germany’s Heraeus: Founded in 1851, it is now a brand under the Thermoelectric Company. Starting in the 1970s, the company entered the centrifuge business (acquired from SIGMA, including ultracentrifugation technology; later, due to competition, it discontinued ultracentrifuge production). At one point, Heraus merged with the renowned U.S. firm Sorvall, forming the world’s largest centrifuge company—American Kestrel Corporation. Subsequently, Kestrel was acquired by U.S. Thermoelectric. Heraus specializes primarily in benchtop centrifuges, known for their stable performance, smooth operation, low failure rates, and user-friendly design. Thanks to the Germans’ relentless pursuit of craftsmanship and precision, Heraeus centrifuges are exceptionally durable and boast outstanding resistance and longevity.

7. Japan’s Hitachi: Founded in the early last century, Hitachi began R&D and manufacturing of ultracentrifuges after World War II. During the rapid development phase of ultracentrifugation in the 1950s, Hitachi gradually rose to prominence and is now one of the world’s two leading manufacturers of ultracentrifuges. Relying on its continuous technological innovation, Hitachi has achieved impressive results in technologies such as centrifugal force and rotational speed. Moreover, compared to Beckman, Hitachi offers relatively lower prices, making it an excellent choice. Similarly, high-speed ultracentrifuges are among its flagship products, and its small benchtop centrifuges are particularly noteworthy.

When choosing an imported centrifuge brand, the brands mentioned above are all excellent options. However, in terms of price, quality, and comprehensive, timely after-sales service, Lu Xiangyi centrifuges from domestic brands represent one of the top choices.