Microplates Market By Type (96 Well Microplates, 384 Well Microplates, 1536 Well Microplates), By Application (Cell Culture, Screening and UV/VIS Spectroscopy, Immunology, Storage), By Base Material (Polystyrene, Polypropylene, Cycloolefin), By Pigmentation (Black, White, Clear), By Well Design (F Bottom, C Bottom, U Bottom, V Bottom, HA Microplate, Hybrid Microplate)- Growth, Future Prospects, Competitive Analysis, 2016 - 2028

The microplate is also widely known as Microtiter, a registered trademark in the United States. Microplates are the miniature version of test tubes widely used to carry out analytical Research and diagnostic testing in healthcare laboratories. A microplate is a standard tool for analytical work using microplate readers. ELISA test is a typical example of the application of microplates. 

Certain standard microplate types are used with microplate readers, including 96 wells microplate, 384 wells microplate, 1536 wells microplate, and others.

The global Microplates market is expected to witness a CAGR of 4.42% during the forecast period. The revenue generated by the global Microplates market in 2021 was over USD 803.89 million and is expected to generate revenue worth USD 1,085.94 million in 2028. Therefore, the incremental growth opportunity offered by the global Microplates is estimated to be USD 6.68 billion between 2022 and 2028.   

Interesting Facts about Microplates Industry

• Global Microplate's consumption crossed 225 million units' market in 2021
• The global Immunoassay market has generated revenue of over USD 21 billion in 2021
• Global Cell Culture Industry reached over USD 20 billion in 2021
• Germany, the UK, France, and China are the top four consumers of the microplate.
• India, Brazil, South Korea, and Japan are the major economies and are poised to play a significant role in the future growth of microplates.
• Microplate's costs vary between USD 1.25 to USD 10 per unit based on capacity, pigmentation, and material.

Demand for Microplates is Fuelled by Strong Growth of R&D Activities

Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies are the largest end-users of microplates. Microplates are very crucial in carrying out a large number of tests at a rapid pace and high level of accuracy. Modern-day research & development activities are flourishing because of the increased speed of testing using tools such as microplates. Drug discovery, clinical testing, cell culture, and genomic & proteomic Research are major areas wherein microplates are used at a large scale. Using microplates helps the researcher save time on carrying out testing, thus reducing the overall cost of conducting research activities. Ever-increasing investment and government funding for pharmaceutical & biotech research activities are, in turn, driving the demand for microplates.

Strong Demand from North America and Europe

According to Research carried out by PhRMA, the expenditure on R&D activities by its member companies stood at USD 26 billion in 2000, which has reached over USD 75 billion by the end of 2020. While, in Europe, it was USD 16.5 billion in 2000 and USD 50 billion in 2020.

North America and Europe collectively accounted for the largest share of just under 64% of revenue in 2021. The massive growth of the microplates industry in these regions is explained by the augmented R&D activities in the region. Government initiatives for cell-based Research, the increasing acceptance of personalized medicine, increasing academic and government investments in diagnostic Research, and increasing focus on drug discovery and development in Europe and North America are playing a significant role in the microplates industry's growth. Similarly, Europe also hosts a large number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Moreover, the regions also have many research institutes and hospitals, fuelling the demand for microplates.   

Frequent Ups and Downs in Raw Materials Prices is a Major Concern for the Industry Participants

Polystyrene (P.S.) and polypropylene (P.P.) are primary raw materials for manufacturing microplates, with over 70% share in total microplates production and consumption. Therefore, any fluctuation in prices of P.S. and P.P. affects the production cost of microplates and profit margins accordingly. For example, the global average Polystyrene price was USD 995 per ton in 2020, which is expected to cross USD 1,200 per ton in 2020. In contrast, it was as high as USD 1,500 per ton in 2018. On the other hand, the global price of polypropylene was reported to be USD 945 per ton in 2020, which was 24% less as compared to that in the year 2018. But it is likely to reach USD 1,269 per ton in 2022. This signifies the constant fluctuations in the prices of polystyrene and polypropylene, eroding the margins of microplate manufacturers. 

Polystyrene-Based Microplates to Rule

Polystyrene, Polypropylene, and Others (Polycarbonate, Cyclo-olefins, glass, and quartz) are significant base materials used in manufacturing microplates. Polystyrene-based microplates are the most widely used microplates based on materials. Polystyrene microplates are the preferred choice for optical detection purposes. Polystyrene microplates are available in all three white, black, and clear pigmentation. Polystyrene microplates held just under 50% share in 2021.

In comparison, other microplates segment is expected to exhibit the fastest CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period. Incremental revenue of global polycarbonate microplates is valued at around USD 117.06 million between 2022 and 2028. Injection molding is the most preferred and widely used manufacturing process for microplates. Polypropylene microplates are most suitable for storage applications owing to their novel properties for long terms storage of samples or specimens. Polycarbonate microplates offer economical alternatives, while cyclo-olefins-based microplates are primarily used for newly developed assays.

Incremental Revenue by Base Material, Between 2022 – 2028 (USD Million)

The Asia Pacific to Open New Growth Window for the Industry Participants

Although the Asia Pacific is currently lacking in demand for microplates, there is enormous growth potential in the region over the forecast period. The table below signifies the per capita expenditure in microplate in different regions. North America leads the table, closely followed by Europe with almost half a dollar expenditure per capita as of 2020.

While the Asia Pacific and other regions are trailing by a far margin, backed by their vast population and growing Research & development activities in the field of cell culture, Screening & UV/VIS Spectroscopy, and Immunology, the demand for microplates is expected to go up in the years to come. Per capita expenditure on microplates is just around 0.04 dollars per head in the Asia Pacific and the rest of the emerging economies. In the future, there is massive potential for growth in research activities and thus for microplates, especially in Brazil, China, India, South Africa, etc.

Cell Culture Industry to Dominate the Global Microplates Industry

Cell Culture, Screening and UV/VIS Spectroscopy, Immunology, Storage, and Others are the primary application of microplates. The cell culture industry is the largest application market for microplates, with over 40% share in total revenue generation in 2021. Microplates are of prime importance in the cell culture industry. Microplates facilitate growth, attachment, and distinguishing cells in cell culture, either ongoing or before. As cell culture is proliferating worldwide, the demand for microplates will grow in tandem with the cell culture industry. However, Screening and UV/VIS Spectroscopy, and Immunology applications are growing at a rapid pace. Increasing investment by governments and private companies in R&D for developing and commercializing new drugs is fuelling the growth of the microplates market.   

Global Microplates Market Share by Application, 2021

384 Well Microplates to Grow at Rapid Pace

96 Well Microplates, 384 Well Microplates, 1536 Well Microplates, and Others are significant types of microplates. 384 Well Microplates are expected to proliferate over the forecast period. While 96 Well Microplates are widely preferred by researchers worldwide in most applications owing to their suitability with most microplate readers. 

Clear Microplates to Keep it Major Share 

Black, White, and Clear are significant types of microplates based on pigmentation. Clear microplates are widely used in all major applications, followed by white and black. Clear microplates held over 50% share in total revenue generation in 2021, while white was at second place with just under one-third share in the same year.

Highly Concentrated Market

Greiner Bio-One International GmbH, Corning Incorporated, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Eppendorf AG, PerkinElmer Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, QIAGEN N.V., VWR (Avantor), and SPL Life Sciences are some of the leading players involved in the global microplates industry. The global microplates industry is highly concentrated, with the top six players holding just under 50% of the total revenue generated in 2021. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Corning, and BDC are the most dominating players and occupied around 30% share in 2021. Key players have established their brands in the global market with wide-reaching distribution channels, considerable investments in R&D, pricing power, and advanced manufacturing technology. Key players are heavily focused on Research & development to stay competitive and gain an edge over their competitors. In the wake of growing demand from emerging economies, many players are shifting their focus on expansion into China, India, Brazil, South Korea, and South Africa.

Frequently asked questions