The original application of organic elemental analysis was to determine the elemental composition of pure materials for molecular structure determination. Today, however, applications for organic elemental analysis extend far beyond the classical organic chemistry tasks. Analysis of soils, plant tissue, and materials for quality control determination are common. Determination of isotopic ratios, trace levels of sulfur and nitrogen in fuels or the analysis of halogen or phosphorus containing compounds add new challenges for the elemental analyzer.

Elementar has, in addition to the universal elemental analyzers, developed instruments which utilize special detection techniques which are optimized for special and important applications.