Published on 31-Jan-2025

Watch This Space! NDT Innovators Transforming Inspection in 2025

Watch This Space! NDT Innovators Transforming Inspection in 2025

Sources - Baker Hughes

Table of Content

The Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) industry isn’t merely about finding flaws; it’s about pre-emptive measures. In 2025, the NDT industry is being reshaped by a wave of cutting-edge technologies, from AI-driven defect detection to autonomous robotic inspections and cloud-based predictive maintenance platforms. Some companies are not just keeping pace with this transformation but leading it.

Whether it’s drone-based energy asset inspections or AI-powered borescope systems, the future of NDT is here, and it’s more advanced than ever.

Top 9 NDT Innovators Transforming Inspection Technologies in 2025

The NDT industry endlessly demands more efficient, accurate, and cost-effective inspection methods. As the global market for NDT continues to expand, a number of innovative companies are emerging as leaders in transforming inspection technologies. These include:

1. Waygate Technologies

Waygate Technologies offers ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, digital radiography, and Computed Tomography Solutions. Their systems are highly regarded for delivering precision, speed, and automation across various sectors. 

  • AI-Assisted Borescope Inspection Solution: This system uses advanced machine learning algorithms to actively analyse engine components to provide actionable pointers for maintenance teams. The technology can detect cracks, corrosion, and other anomalies in hard-to-reach areas of jet engines.
  • Waygate Technologies Wins Kaizen Award for Operational Excellence: This represents the company’s commitment to efficiency and continuous improvement at every stage. 

2. Evident Scientific

Eddy Current Flaw Detector

Image Credit: NDT.NET

Known to develop lightweight and user-friendly devices, Evident Scientific, formerly known as Olympus, has earned a reputation as a leader in transformative inspection technologies.

  • R&D Offshore Development Centre in Hyderabad: Evident Scientific has partnered with HCL Tech to establish an R&D offshore development centre in Hyderabad, India. This facility will develop Next-generation NDT Technologies, including portable UT devices and AI-driven inspection software, to cater to global markets.
  • VISERA S Imaging Platform: The VISERA S is a new imaging platform designed for high-resolution inspections in the aerospace and energy sectors. This integrates advanced optics and AI to provide real-time defect detection and analysis.
  • Drone-Based Energy Asset Inspections: Evident Scientific and Voliro are conducting drone inspections of energy assets. This allows the safe and efficient inspection of wind turbines, power lines, and other high-altitude structures which reduces downtime and improves worker safety.

3. MISTRAS Group

Field Inspections

Image Credit: MISTRAS Group 

MISTRAS Group caters to critical sectors like aerospace, energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure. MISTRAS specialises in vibration analysis, advanced digital radiography, and Acoustic Emission Testing

  • Renewable Fuels Association Membership: MISTRAS Group has joined the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) as an associate member. This partnership will enable MISTRAS to provide advanced NDT services for renewable fuel infrastructure, ensuring the safety and reliability of biofuel production facilities.
  • ISO 9001:2015 Certification Renewal: MISTRAS’ Netherlands operations have renewed their ISO 9001:2015 Certification for NDT and inspection. This certification highlights MISTRAS’ dedication to quality management principles, including customer focus, top management involvement, and continuous improvement. 
  • Prestigious Safety Award: MISTRAS has earned a prestigious safety award, reflecting the company’s focus on protecting its workforce while delivering reliable inspection services.
  • Automated Radiographic Testing (ART) and High-Speed Corrosion Mapping: These technologies offer unparalleled accuracy, speed, and detection capabilities, helping identify corrosion and Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) in pipelines and industrial equipment.
  • Onstream’s TriStream MFL™ Pipeline Inspection Tool: The TriStream MFL™ is an ultra-high-resolution pipeline inspection tool. This combines triaxial Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL), caliper, and inertial measurement unit (IMU) to assess the metal loss, deformation, and GPS positioning in pipelines with multiple 1.5D bends. 
  • VCA-P Certification in Belgium: MISTRAS’ Belgium operations have achieved VCA-P certification, recognising their commitment to safety, health, and environmental management. 

4. Eddyfi Technologies

Versatrax Inspection Crawlers

Image Credit: Eddyfi

Eddyfi Technologies has earned its reputation as a leader among non-destructive testing firms by delivering advanced eddy current and Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) solutions. Eddyfi's technologies detect corrosion, cracks, and material defects in critical infrastructure such as pipelines, storage tanks, and aerospace components.

  • TubePro™ 6: Revolutionizing Heat Exchanger Tubing Inspections: Eddyfi Technologies has launched TubePro™ 6, a system for heat exchanger tubing inspections. This features enhanced reporting, including automated defect classification and real-time data visualisation.
  • Revamped Software Business Model: Eddyfi has returned to a perpetual licensing model for its NDT software, simplifying customer operations. This move ensures long-term access to advanced inspection tools like the PulseNET™ for real-time defect analysis, without recurring subscription fees.

5. Testia (Airbus Group)

Focused Tools

Image Credit: Testia

Testia, part of the Airbus Group is renowned for its pioneering techniques in ultrasonic and Thermography Inspection. Testia works towards ensuring the structural integrity and safety of modern aircraft.

  • NDT Cadet Academy in Malaysia: Testia, in collaboration with CTRM, has opened an NDT Cadet Academy in Malaysia. This initiative aims to train the next generation of NDT Professionals, focusing on advanced inspection techniques for aerospace and industrial applications.
  • Metrology Reverse-Engineering for Defective Parts: Testia is using metrology reverse engineering to transform defective parts into accurate 3D models. This enables precise analysis of component flaws.
  • NDT Training Courses in China: Testia has expanded its global footprint by offering NDT Training Courses in China. These focus on ultrasonic testing, thermography, and composite inspection techniques that provide local industries with world-class NDT expertise.

6. Sonatest

Ultrasonic Equipment Sonatest Wave

Image Credit: NDT.NU

Sonatest is one of the NDT industry leaders, renowned for its innovative NDT solutions that are moulding the Future of NDT. As one of the leading NDT innovators, the company specialises in advanced UT technologies.

As one of the NDT companies to watch in 2025, the NDT technology innovations by Sonatest improve accuracy, efficiency, and reliability, solidifying its position among the non-destructive testing firms transforming the industry.

  • Wave 2.1 Release: Sonatest has launched Wave 2.1, the latest version of their Ultrasonic Testing software. This release introduces new features for real-time data analysis, enhanced defect detection, and improved reporting, making it useful for field inspections.
  • New Transducer Catalogue: Sonatest has released a new transducer catalogue, showcasing its latest range of high-performance ultrasonic transducers. These transducers can perform in applications including phased array ultrasonic testing and Time-of-flight Diffraction (TOFD) which improves the sensitivity and resolution for complex inspections.

7. TWI (The Welding Institute)

CSWIP Senior Welding Inspector

Image Credit: Twi Virtual Academy

TWI is a globally recognised leader in materials joining and NDT. TWI provides cutting-edge services in Welding Inspection, materials testing, and structural integrity assessments. Their expertise spans multiple industries while focusing on advancing inspection methods to meet the challenges of modern materials and designs.

  • Hydrogen Innovation Initiative Welcomes TWI as Its Latest Strategic Partner: TWI has joined the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative as a strategic partner, reinforcing its commitment to advancing hydrogen technologies. This partnership focuses on developing NDT solutions for hydrogen infrastructure, including pipelines, storage tanks, and fuel cells.
  • Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing: TWI is leveraging its expertise in materials science to develop Advanced NDT Methods to detect hydrogen embrittlement in hydrogen storage and transportation.
  • Safe Hydrogen Handling: TWI is working on innovative inspection technologies to ensure the safety and reliability of hydrogen systems, including UT and PAUT for weld inspections.
  • Collaborative Research: TWI is working with industry leaders to establish best practices for hydrogen infrastructure inspections, supporting the global clean energy transition.
  • University of Huddersfield and TWI Open New Engineering Research Centres: TWI has partnered with the University of Huddersfield to establish new engineering research centres. These centres will focus on advancing materials joining, NDT, and additive manufacturing technologies.
  • Dozuki and TWI Institute Announce Partnership to Enhance Manufacturing Workforce Training and Development: TWI has partnered with Dozuki, a leading digital work instruction platform, to enhance workforce training and development in manufacturing and NDT.

This partnership aims to bridge the skills gap in the manufacturing and NDT sectors, ensuring that workers are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to meet industry demands.

8. Phoenix Inspection Systems

Turbine Rotor Inspection System

Image Credit: Phoenix ISL

Phoenix Inspection Systems provides advanced ultrasonic equipment and robotic inspection solutions. Phoenix Inspection Systems has established itself as one of the leading NDT innovators in industries where high accuracy and efficiency are critical.

  • New AUT Weld Scanner: Phoenix ISL has launched a new Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) weld scanner, designed for high-precision inspections of welded joints in pipelines and pressure vessels. This scanner features advanced robotics and AI-driven defect analysis.

9. SGS SA

Power Distribution

Image Credit: SGS SA

SGS SA offers a broad spectrum of services to ensure the structural integrity, safety, and compliance of critical infrastructure and components. SGS is known for delivering innovative NDT solutions tailored to client requirements with its global reach and sector-specific expertise.

  • Flexible, Low-Cost Solutions for ENS Declaration Compliance: SGS has introduced flexible, low-cost solutions to help businesses comply with the new ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) requirements. These solutions streamline customs processes and ensure compliance with international trade regulations.
  • Digital Trust Label Initiative: SGS is leading the Digital Trust Label initiative to establish transparency and trust in digital services. This provides a certification framework for digital platforms to meet stringent security, privacy, and reliability standards.
  • Expansion in Electrical and Electronic Testing in Dubai: SGS has expanded its electrical and electronic testing capabilities at its state-of-the-art laboratory in Dubai. This includes new testing facilities for the safety, performance, and compliance of electrical and electronic products, catering to the growing demand in the Middle East and beyond.

The shift towards smart sensors and IoT-enabled systems enhances real-time infrastructure monitoring and reduces manual intervention. Artificial intelligence and machine learning improve defect detection accuracy and enable predictive maintenance across industries. 

Lightweight, user-friendly devices are becoming essential for field inspections, offering flexibility and efficiency. The future of NDT solutions seems to be exciting, with lots to look forward to in 2025.

Key Takeaways

  • AI and Machine learning will take centre stage as they are being adopted exponentially across the industry.
  • Autonomous inspections are picking up and will be implemented further in the future.
  • Portable and IoT-Enabled Solutions are gaining momentum as they offer flexibility and live data during inspections.
  • Eco-friendly practices and energy-efficient technologies are being adopted to align with sustainability goals.

References

1. Eddyfi Technologies. (n.d.). Eddyfi Technologies. Retrieved from Eddyfi Technologies

2. GE Inspection Technologies. (n.d.). GE Inspection Technologies. Retrieved from GE Inspection Technologies

3. Markets & Markets. (n.d.). NDT and Inspection Companies - SGS Société Générale De Surveillance SA, (Switzerland) and Intertek Group plc (UK) are the Key Players. Retrieved from Markets & Markets

4. MISTRAS Group. (n.d.). MISTRAS Group. Retrieved from MISTRAS Group

5. Olympus. (n.d.). Olympus. Retrieved from Olympus

6. Phoenix Inspection Systems. (n.d.). Phoenix Inspection Systems. Retrieved from Phoenix Inspection Systems

7. SGS. (n.d.). SGS. Retrieved from SGS

8. Sonatest. (n.d.). Sonatest. Retrieved from Sonatest

9. Testia. (n.d.). Testia. Retrieved from Testia

10. TWI. (n.d.). TWI. Retrieved from TWI



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