Microbial Identification Market Assessment, By Products and Services [Instruments, Consumables, Software and Services], By Method [Phenotypic Methods, Genotypic Methods, Proteomic Methods], By Technology [Mass Spectrometry, PCR, Microarrays, Next Generati

Global microbial identification market is projected to witness a CAGR of 13.02% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 4.51 billion in 2024 to USD 12.01 billion in 2032. The increasing investments in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, the rising prevalence of infectious diseases, and the growing emphasis on research and development activities by various governments are some of the major factors supporting the market’s growth and expansion. The process of microbial identification deploys advanced technologies such as polymerase chain reaction, genetic sequencing, and mass spectrometry for accurate identification of microbial strains.

Additionally, the rising concerns about environmental testing and food safety are also expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the global microbial identification market. For instance, in March 2024, The Innovation in Environmental Monitoring program was designed to support academic institutions, large companies, and small and medium-sized businesses in the United Kingdom in the development of new environment monitoring technologies. As part of the program, approximately USD 8.7 million (£7 million) was awarded to various research-led organizations. Such efforts are expected to bolster the market’s demand as microbial identification is essential for detecting pathogens, evaluating sanitation practices, and testing water and air quality.

The increasing efforts of leading players in the market to drive the development and availability of advanced technologies through partnerships and collaborations, investments towards research and development activities, and mergers and acquisitions are some of the major global microbial identification market trends. Such efforts are expected to fortify the accessibility to automated microbial identification systems with advanced functionalities and features, allowing the processing of a high volume of samples in a precise and time-efficient manner.

Increasing Prevalence of Infectious Diseases Boosts Market Demand

The growing threat of infectious diseases is augmenting the requirement for microbial identification equipment, software, and services. As per the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10.8 million individuals were diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2023. The increasing prevalence of such conditions is propelling the demand for microbial identification technologies as they aid in the effective management of the conditions by allowing early detection of the diseases, are essential for outbreak management, and aid in detecting and responding to emerging infections.

Additionally, the rising cases of antimicrobial resistance and hospital-acquired infections are also boosting the demand for accurate microbial identification. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can result in the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, creating additional complications in the management of infections. Microbial identification allows the deployment of targeted antimicrobial therapy and reduces the risk of resistance escalation. Meanwhile, due to the growing burden of hospital-acquired infections, the reliance on microbial identification tools and services is also increasing. As per the estimates of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in thirty-one patients have at least one hospital-acquired infection in the United States on any given day.

Technological Advancements Support Market Expansion

The rapid advancements in the field of microbial identification are providing lucrative growth opportunities for the market. NGS technologies are allowing whole-genome sequencing, making it possible to identify species with a high degree of accuracy, sometimes even at the strain level. For certain applications in clinical diagnostics and epidemiology, the potential is substantial and expected to grow extremely rapidly in this market. Additionally, advanced data analytics, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, are gaining momentum for microbial identification. These technologies enhance data interpretation and analysis, thus improving results' accuracy in clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, automated microbiology systems improve laboratory efficiency by streamlining workflows and reducing human error. Automation is essential for high-throughput analysis, which is in high demand due to the increasing requirement for rapid microbial identification solutions. Meanwhile, various laboratories across the globe are receiving recognition for providing advanced technologies and services. In October 2024, HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. earned the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation for its microbial identification services.

Hospitals and Diagnostic Laboratories Account for a Significant Share of the Market

Due to the growing burden on the healthcare sector along with the high volume of patients, the hospitals and diagnostic laboratories segment is expected to grasp a significant market share. The requirement for accurate and rapid identification of microorganisms and pathogens is essential in hospitals and diagnostic laboratories to ensure that the patients receive proper care and treatment and are equipped with solutions that allow them to manage their conditions effectively.

Meanwhile, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. The growing investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to meet the evolving healthcare requirements of the patient population, coupled with the rapid expansion of the industries, are providing lucrative growth opportunities for the market. In 2023, Europe accounted for 22.7% of global pharmaceutical sales, and North America accounted for 53.3%. Accurate identification of microbes is essential during the drug development process, as understanding the various microorganisms involved in an infection aids scientists in developing antibiotics and targeted therapies. It is also essential for ensuring the quality of the end products and confirming that they are free from contaminants.

North America Possesses a Major Share of the Microbial Identification Market

The growth of the North American microbial identification market can be attributed to the increasing concerns about food safety, the strong presence of the key players in the market, and the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases in the region. The rapid expansion of the food and beverage industry in countries such as the United States is also bolstering the market’s demand due to the growing emphasis on food safety because of increasing public awareness. As per the National Restaurant Association (NRA) estimates, in 2023, the restaurant and food service industry in the United States surpassed USD 1 trillion in sales.

Moreover, strong regulatory bodies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Food and Drug Administration, that mandate regular microbial testing to ensure public health and safety are also bolstering the market’s demand in North America. Additionally, an advanced healthcare sector in the region facilitates the adoption of novel diagnostic solutions across research laboratories, diagnostic centers, and hospitals, augmenting the reliance on next-generation microbial identification technologies. These technologies aid in rapid detection and monitoring of infectious diseases.

Future Market Scenario (2025 – 2032F)

As per the global microbial identification market analysis, the market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to the rapid expansion of the healthcare sector, advancements in diagnostics, and increasing stringency of food safety regulations. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is also expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market. According to the estimates of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, approximately 2 million people are expected to die from drug-resistant infections every year by 2050.

Meanwhile, the integration of automated solutions and artificial intelligence with microbial identification processes is anticipated to revolutionize the sector and ensure the provision of more accurate results in a time-efficient manner.

Technological advancements in polymerase chain reactions and mass spectrometry are expected to increase the reliability of microbial identification along with the efficiency of the process.

Due to the growing efforts of the key players of the market to strengthen their position and market share, the availability of a wide range of products and technologies is expected to rapidly increase in the coming years, positively influencing the expansion of the global microbial identification market.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The increasing efforts of the leading market players to bolster the availability of novel technologies in various regions across the globe predominantly support the growth of the microbial identification market.

In November 2023, QIAGEN N.V. launched Microbiome WGS SeqSets, a comprehensive sample-to-insight workflow that was designed to provide easy-to-use solutions that allow the maximization of reproducibility and efficiency in microbiome research. The workflow aids in streamlining various processes involved with next-generation sequencing and sample extraction to ensure that the sample is ready for processing. The solution offered by the company combines easy-to-use downstream next-generation sequencing library preparation, industry-leading extraction technology, and intuitive bioinformatics.

Additionally, the rising investments by the key players are also providing lucrative growth opportunities for the market. In May 2023, Merck & Co., Inc., one of the leading science and technology companies, invested approximately USD 36 million (€ 35 million) in its biosafety testing in its Stirling and Glasgow sites in Scotland. Biosafety testing is one of the most crucial steps in the drug manufacturing and development process. The expansion of facility will increase production capacity and help catering the elevated demand for biosafety testing products for drug development.