Global liquid handling systems market is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.35% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 4.92 billion in 2024 to USD 8.06 billion in 2032. The global liquid handling systems market is expected to grow robustly during the forecast period due to rising demand in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors, fueled by advancements in automation and robotics.
Liquid handling systems are one of the most important tools used for liquid transfer, measurement, and mixing in laboratories or industries. These range from pipettes and syringes—a manual instrument—to advanced automated systems, such as robotic systems. Due to advances in the field of automation, precision, and efficiency, there is a significant growth in the global liquid handling system market. Such trends manifest within key sectors like health care, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. Automated and robotic systems make lab workflows more efficient and increase precision—a critical aspect in drug development, clinical diagnostics, and medicine personalization. Other driving factors of liquid handling systems are growing funding for research and development along with stringent regulatory standards in place. The rising need for higher throughput solutions means fueling the liquid handling systems market. For instance, in September 2024, Opentrons Labworks Inc. launched the Opentrons Flex Prep robot with no-code software, enabling easy pipetting task setup via touchscreen. It offers simplicity, versatility, and affordability, supporting both basic and complex protocols to enhance lab efficiency.
Increasing Demand in Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Boosts Market Growth
The increasing demand in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors is the major growth driver for the liquid handling systems market. The expanding healthcare sector utilizes more efficient and precise high-throughput liquid handling systems. The growing interest of pharmaceutical companies in biologics, vaccine development, and personalized treatments due to increasing demand for advanced systems that offer accuracy, consistency, and scalability. This will positively influence further growth in the market. For instance, in January 2024, Tecan Trading AG introduced two digital solutions, LabNavigator and Next-Gen Introspect, to enhance laboratory productivity through digitalization. LabNavigator, a cloud-based platform, streamlines workflows by integrating Tecan and third-party devices into a unified system, improving efficiency and scalability. Designed for ease of use, it reduces skill barriers, enhances reproducibility, and maximizes lab operations.
Technological Advancements Drive Liquid Handling Systems Market Growth
Technological advancements are a significant growth driver for the global liquid handling system market. Advances in automation, robotics, and software integration enhance liquid handling systems' precision, efficiency, and scalability. High-throughput, automated platforms helped streamline laboratory workflows, minimize errors, and enhance productivity. Moreover, artificial intelligence and machine learning are being introduced into liquid handling systems that allow the data to be analyzed accurately to improve decision-making. It is quite indispensable in meeting the growing needs of health, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology; it is a requirement for rapid speed, accuracy, and reproducibility in order to fuel the market's growth. For instance, in June 2024, Beckman Coulter, Inc. launched the Biomek Echo One System, designed to accelerate high-throughput genomic sample preparation. This versatile system integrates the Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler and Biomek i7 Hybrid Workstation, enabling seamless execution of genomic workflows like DNA assemblies and NGS library preparations. The platform automates tasks such as extraction, fragmentation, and thermal incubation, delivering faster results and supporting evolving lab workflows with enhanced speed and flexibility.
Automated Liquid Handling Systems Segment Dominates the Market
The automated liquid handling systems segment is expected to lead the global liquid handling system market. The segment is growing rapidly as laboratory workflows increasingly demand high-throughput, efficient, and precise solutions. Automated systems offer several benefits, including reduced human error, enhanced productivity, and the ability to handle complex liquid handling tasks with greater accuracy. During that time, the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries are going to consider even more automation for drug discovery, diagnostics, and applications, including research. The automated systems segment is going to remain prominent in the market due to technological advancement and the need for scalable solutions in big-volume laboratories. For instance, in October 2024, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) launched automation-ready, robotics-compatible reagent kits for single-cell discovery studies. These high-throughput kits enhance efficiency and standardize large-scale genetic material analysis.
North America Dominates the Liquid Handling Systems Market
North America is anticipated to be the dominant region in the liquid handling systems market. This leadership is driven by advanced healthcare infrastructure, high adoption of innovative technologies, growing demand for precision in laboratory processes, and intense focus on research and development. For instance, in December 2023, Abbott Laboratories received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for their automation solution, GLP Systems Track, designed to enhance laboratory productivity and performance. This customizable system features a self-propelled, intelligent sample carrier (CAR) that moves samples independently, reducing mechanical failures and increasing flexibility. Innovative technology enables clinical labs to optimize operations, boost performance, and meet growing demand while maintaining quality and efficiency. The presence of key players in the industry and massive investments in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors further fuel the growth of the market. Also, the increasing adoption of automation in laboratory settings and the growing need for efficient drug discovery processes drive the liquid handling system market share in North America. The robust regulatory environment and high healthcare spending of this region continue to fuel this market segment.
Future Market Scenario (2025-2032F)
The global liquid handling system market will witness a considerable increase in the forecast period concerning automation development, a surge in demand for high-throughput screening, and increased applications of liquid handling technologies across industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and diagnostics. This market is anticipated to gain momentum due to innovative developments in liquid handling instruments through precision enhancement, artificial intelligence (AI) integration, and IoT-based systems. Emerging economies are expected to be high-growth opportunities for the sector due to increased investment in life science research and the construction of advanced laboratory infrastructures. These factors are expected to drive a dynamic and competitive landscape in the global market. For instance, in January 2023, Novo Holdings A/S invested USD 40 million in Evosep Biosystems, a leader in standardizing proteomics for clinical use. The funding will support the advancement of clinical proteomics applications through Evosep's liquid chromatography platform and facilitate the company’s global expansion.
Key Players Landscape and Outlook
The global liquid handling system market is divided into products, such as automated instruments and consumables, and services, such as maintenance. While major manufacturers lead the product market, the service segment is fragmented with numerous players. Recent activities include new product launches, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions to expand market presence.
For instance, in November 2024, Hamilton Company, in collaboration with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), introduced a novel solution to perform routine accuracy testing of automated liquid handling systems. The complete solution includes a microfluidic plate developed by CSEM, optical analysis, and Hamilton's robotic integration system.
In December 2023, Hudson Robotics, Inc. acquired Tomtec Inc., a provider of automated liquid handling instruments for sample preparation in mass spectrometry. This acquisition expands Hudson's liquid handling capabilities, adding a 96-head automated liquid handler and entering the bioanalytics segment within life sciences research and development. The combined portfolio enhances Hudson's automation solutions, enabling broader workflow automation in new markets.
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