Single-use Bioreactors Market Assessment, By Product [Single-use Bioreactor Systems, Single-use Media Bags, Single-use Filtration Assembles, Other Products], By Type of Molecule [Stirred-Tank SUBs, Wave-Induced SUBs, Bubble-Column SUBs, Other SUBs], By Ce

Single-use Bioreactors Market Assessment, By Product [Single-use Bioreactor Systems, Single-use Media Bags, Single-use Filtration Assembles, Other Products], By Type of Molecule [Stirred-Tank SUBs, Wave-Induced SUBs, Bubble-Column SUBs, Other SUBs], By Cell Type [Mammalian Cells, Bacterial Cells, Yeast Cells, Other Cells], By Application [Bioproduction, Process Development, Research and Development], By End-user [Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Clinical Research Organizations, Academic and Research Institutes], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global single-use bioreactors market is projected to witness a CAGR of 18.06% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 3.65 billion in 2023 to USD 13.77 billion in 2031. The single-use bioreactors market is an important part of the healthcare industry, accounting for a significant market size in the healthcare market. Factors such as reduced risk of contamination, technological advancements, increased adoption among startups and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), and advantages over traditional bioreactors drive the market growth.

The market for single-use bioreactors in bioprocessing sector is dedicated to the design, production, and deployment of single-use bioreactor systems for a range of biopharmaceutical and biotechnology uses. These systems reduce the demand for conventional stainless steel bioreactors by offering effective and affordable solutions for cell culture activities including fermentation, protein expression, and cell growth. Biopharmaceutical firms used versatile technology that brought online response to the pandemic, increasing the requirement for quick mass manufacturing of vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Single-use systems witnessed huge demand due to coronavirus and the need for large-scale vaccine manufacturing at a fast pace. This led to the expansion of the single-use bioreactors market post pandemic.

In August 2023, Repligen XCell ATF upstream intensification technology was incorporated into Sartorius Stedim Biotech Inc.’s Biostat STR bioreactor as part of an integrated bioreactor system that was introduced by Sartorius Stedim Biotech Inc. and Repligen Corp. A completely compatible embedded XCell ATF hardware and software module that offers pre-defined advanced control recipes with integrated Process Analytical Technology (PAT) has been included in the Biostat STR. A single point of control for 50 L–2000 L upstream intensification processes, developed by the integration of the XCell Controller hardware and software into the Biobrain automation platform, allowing clients to make greater use of their facility space with a smaller equipment footprint.

Single-use Bioreactors Offer Clinical Advantages Over Traditional Bioreactors

When compared to stainless steel bioreactors (SSBs), single-use bioreactors (SUBs) have been demonstrated to significantly reduce water consumption and facility energy use. Disposing of single-use parts, however, presents issues with waste production and possible environmental effects. Single-use bioreactors require less maintenance, have quick setup periods, and are simpler to customize in terms of reactor size and configuration as they provide greater flexibility. In research and development applications, where process development is continuous, and production quantities are low, single-use bioreactors can be useful. Additionally, SUBs have shown to be significantly more helpful in facilities that produce many products and in situations where process flexibility is crucial in terms of quantities and product needs.

Technological Advancements to Advance the Global Single-use Bioreactors Market

Recent substantial technological improvements have led to an increased utilization of single-use bioreactors in biopharmaceutical production. Manufacturers are coming up with new ideas to enhance single-use bioreactor film technologies, designs, stirring motors, and sensor systems. Single-use bioreactors are more effective and efficient for developing cell cultures on a large scale due to such advancements. Improved sensor systems for better process monitoring, control, and improvements in the materials and designs of bioreactor bags can promote cell growth and productivity, including other significant advancements. The AMBR 250 modular, a novel benchtop small bioreactor system for parallel fermentation or cell culture, was launched by Sartorius Stedim Biotech. This system gives bioprocess scientists access to advanced benchtop bioreactor technology for process research by combining a special single-use bioreactor vessel with a flexible system architecture.

Single-use Bioreactor Systems to Dominate Market

In 2023, the single-use bioreactor systems segment accounts for the highest market share in the global single-use bioreactors market. Systems for single-use bioreactors are frequently used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing procedures when a high product yield is necessary. Single-use bioreactors' adaptability, affordability, and high capacity for mass production would spur consumer demand and propel the industry's rapid expansion. The need for faster discovery and increased production of novel bio-therapeutics, such as vaccines, antibodies, enzymes, and hormones, and a rise in the product quantities that these bioreactors can generate are expected to drive the growth of market. Over the forecast period, the category will rise due to major manufacturers' increased focus on providing small-scale bioreactors.

In June 2024, WuXi Biologics Cayman Inc, a CRDMO, announced that its pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Hangzhou had installed three sets of 5,000L single-use bioreactors in the second drug substance line. The facility's overall capacity will rise from 8,000L to 23,000L due to the recently installed bioreactors, substantially enhancing the company's manufacturing capabilities for clients throughout the world.

Asia-Pacific is Expected to Grow at the Fastest Pace in the Forecast Period

The single-use bioreactor market in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at a high CAGR due to generic medicine manufacturers and recent biosimilar industry players based in the region. It faces commercial pressure to quickly scale up production utilizing disposable technology at reduced prices. Growing population and changing disease patterns are driving the demand for biopharmaceuticals and vaccines throughout Asia. Local companies have opted for single-use solutions to expedite facility construction and accelerate their services in the market.

In the second half of 2024, Syngene International Ltd, a global contract research, development, and manufacturing organization (CRDMO), will begin clinical and commercial supply of its recently renovated biologics facility (Unit 3) in Bangalore, India, to clients in the United States and Europe. With two production chambers and five 2KL single-use bioreactors each, the machines have a production capacity of 20KL.

Future Market Scenario (2024-2031F)

The biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector is rapidly adopting single-use bioreactors as they are better than traditional systems in numerous ways. Advantages include faster turnaround times between production runs, reduced risk of cross-contamination, and lower capital investment.

Single-use bioreactors are predominantly employed in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals. However, their usage extends to other areas such as the food and beverage industry, agriculture, and environmental science sector.

More sustainable practices are being supported by single-use bioreactors such as sustainability, which is increasingly becoming an urgent challenge in biomanufacturing. These practices will reduce waste generation, save energy expenses through reducing water and chemical usage and eliminating cleaning and sterilization requirements.

Continuous technological advancements are expected to enhance the performance and reliability of single-use bioreactors in the future. New technologies that can become part of single-use bioreactors include advanced sensors for real-time monitoring, integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), 3D printing, and IoT devices.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Several medical device companies and biotech companies are flourishing in the single-use bioreactors market by planning and adopting new strategies. They are complying with new strategic initiatives for antimicrobial susceptibility testing devices to increase their market presence. New agreements, contracts, acquisitions mergers, investments, and partnerships are major ways through which they are trying to achieve higher market share.

In August 2023, Repligen XCell ATF upstream intensification technology was incorporated into Sartorius Stedim Biotech Inc’s Biostat STR bioreactor as part of an integrated bioreactor system. A completely compatible embedded XCell ATF hardware and software module that offers predefined advanced control recipes with integrated Process Analytical Technology (PAT) is now included in the Biostat STR. A single point of control for 50 L–2000 L upstream intensification processes, developed by the integration of the XCell Controller hardware and software into the Biobrain automation platform, allowing clients to make greater use of their facility space with a smaller equipment footprint.