Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Market Size, Share & Trends, 2033

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Market Overview

The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Market size was valued at USD 140.95 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 177.59 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.6% from 2025 to 2033.

The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) market is experiencing significant growth due to its critical role in polymer analysis and molecular weight determination. As of 2023, the global GPC market was valued at approximately USD 1.33 billion, with projections indicating substantial growth in the coming years. This growth is driven by increasing demand in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and materials science sectors. Notably, North America holds a significant market share, valued at USD 0.5 billion in 2023, expected to reach USD 1.0 billion by 2032. Asia-Pacific is also emerging as a lucrative market, with a valuation of USD 0.3 billion in 2023, anticipated to grow to USD 0.6 billion by 2032. Key applications such as polymer characterization and nanoparticle sizing are contributing to this upward trajectory.

Key Findings

Top Driver Reason: Increasing demand for precise polymer analysis in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology sectors.

Top Country/Region: North America, with a market valuation of USD 0.5 billion in 2023.

Top Segment: Polymer Characterization, commanding a majority holding with a valuation of USD 0.53 billion in 2023.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Trends

The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) market is undergoing a dynamic transformation, spurred by technological advancements, diversified end-user adoption, and a broader push towards materials innovation. In 2023, over 67,000 GPC systems were deployed across various industries worldwide, an increase of nearly 15.2% compared to 2020. Analytical laboratories and polymer research facilities represent the largest user base, collectively consuming over 40% of new GPC installations globally. A growing trend is the adoption of multi-detector systems, combining Refractive Index (RI), UV-VIS, and Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) detectors. These systems offer enhanced resolution and accuracy for complex macromolecule analysis. In 2023, approximately 32.6% of all GPC systems sold featured two or more detectors, up from 26.4% in 2020. Software automation and AI-based analytics are also transforming the user experience. The GPC software market alone grew by 11.3% in 2023, with advanced features such as baseline correction, peak deconvolution, and real-time data normalization now standard in premium systems. There is also a notable shift toward high-temperature GPC systems, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, and specialty materials sectors. These systems accounted for nearly USD 1.2 billion in market value in 2022 and are expected to witness further growth with rising demand for thermoplastics and engineering polymers. Another significant trend is the focus on green chromatography. Solvent recovery systems and energy-efficient designs are now incorporated in over 40% of new systems launched in 2023. Environmental sustainability, driven by internal ESG goals and external compliance requirements, has become a major purchase consideration. Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region is witnessing rapid adoption of GPC technology. Countries like China, India, and South Korea collectively imported over 9,500 units of analytical GPC instruments in 2023, a sharp rise from 7,200 units in 2021. This surge is attributed to booming research and development in the polymer, pharmaceutical, and electronics sectors. Lastly, vertical integration of services—combining hardware, software, maintenance, and training into a single package—is emerging as a preferred business model. About 51% of buyers in 2023 opted for full-service contracts, reflecting a clear shift toward vendor-managed solutions.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the key end-users of gel permeation chromatography, relying on it for accurate analysis of polymers used in drug delivery systems, bioequivalence studies, and excipient characterization. In 2023, global pharmaceutical R&D expenditure exceeded USD 240 billion, with nearly 17.5% allocated toward analytical development. GPC systems enable the determination of molecular weight distribution—a critical factor in the performance and stability of polymer-based drug carriers. In the U.S., over 4,200 pharmaceutical labs used GPC for analytical purposes in 2023, marking a 9.8% increase from 2021. Similarly, regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EMA have increased mandates around polymer consistency, pushing drug manufacturers to invest in advanced GPC systems with multi-detector configurations. In India, the adoption of GPC in pharmaceutical R&D rose by 13.2% in 2023, particularly for characterizing sustained-release and targeted-delivery formulations. The rising trend of personalized medicine—where customized drug formulations often require sophisticated polymer carriers—is further fueling GPC installations globally.

RESTRAINT

Demand for refurbished equipment

While the GPC market is growing, budget constraints among academic institutions and small laboratories are driving the demand for refurbished systems. As of 2023, nearly 23% of analytical laboratories in Europe and Asia opted for pre-owned or refurbished GPC systems. These instruments are typically sold at 40–60% of the original cost, significantly reducing capital expenditure but also negatively impacting new equipment sales. For example, a refurbished dual-detector GPC system may sell for USD 45,000, compared to USD 85,000 for a new unit. Furthermore, several vendors now offer certified refurbishment programs, complete with calibration and warranty, adding credibility to the used equipment market. In China, refurbished systems accounted for 27% of total GPC purchases in 2023. Although these options increase accessibility, they also create pricing pressure for original equipment manufacturers and limit profit margins in price-sensitive regions.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalized medicines

The global movement toward personalized healthcare and biologics is creating new growth avenues for GPC. Personalized medicine requires precise formulation and delivery, often through polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, and hydrogels—all of which require detailed molecular weight profiling. The global personalized medicine market is expected to reach nearly USD 960 billion by 2030, with significant investments in polymer-based drug delivery systems. As of 2023, over 620 biotech firms in North America were developing personalized drug platforms, with more than 35% using GPC-based molecular characterization as a standard method. In South Korea and Japan, over 190 new research labs focusing on personalized therapeutics adopted GPC systems in 2022–2023 alone. The opportunity lies in specialized GPC systems equipped with advanced detection technologies that can analyze ultra-low molecular weight samples with enhanced accuracy and resolution. Moreover, miniaturized and portable GPC units, currently valued at USD 150 million, are emerging to cater to on-site personalized drug formulation.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs and expenditures

Operational and maintenance costs remain a significant challenge in the adoption of GPC systems. The average maintenance contract for a multi-detector GPC system ranges from USD 5,000 to 12,000 annually, depending on configuration. Additionally, consumables such as columns, solvents, and standards account for USD 8,000–10,000 per lab per year. Staffing poses another concern; skilled personnel trained in polymer characterization are limited, especially in developing regions. According to a 2023 industry survey, 64% of labs in Southeast Asia cited lack of trained staff as the main reason for underutilization of GPC instruments. In Africa, more than 70% of institutions reported difficulties in sourcing columns and parts for international GPC models, further increasing operational downtime. Furthermore, software upgrades—often necessary for compliance with updated standards—can cost an additional USD 2,500–5,000 per system, which adds to the long-term ownership burden. These costs collectively deter smaller labs and startups from investing in modern systems, even when the technology is critical to their research.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Market Segmentation

The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) market is segmented by Type and Application, reflecting its diverse use cases across academic, commercial, and industrial settings. As of 2023, GPC systems were used by over 9,000 institutions globally, segmented among academic institutions, chemical/biochemical companies, government agencies, and others. By application, GPC serves primarily analytical and clean-up system purposes, with usage patterns differing by industry.

By Type

Academic Institutions: Academic and research institutions constitute a major segment of the GPC market. These institutions contributed approximately USD 340 million in equipment sales in 2023, representing over 24% of total market demand. More than 2,800 universities globally, including over 900 in the Asia-Pacific region, utilize GPC systems for advanced research in polymer science, materials chemistry, and nanotechnology. The average academic lab uses one to two GPC systems, primarily for method development, curriculum integration, and graduate-level research. Increased government funding for STEM research has led to a 17.5% increase in academic GPC installations in North America from 2021 to 2023. The European Union’s Horizon Europe program allocated over EUR 85 million to university-led materials research in 2023, with GPC being a listed methodology in at least 63% of funded projects.
Chemical and Biochemical Companies: This segment dominates the commercial use of GPC, contributing to over 36.5% of the market by value, or approximately USD 510 million in 2023. Chemical and biochemical firms use GPC to evaluate raw material quality, polymer consistency, and end-product performance. In the U.S., more than 1,400 companies reported active GPC use, with an average of 3.6 systems per facility. The trend is especially strong in polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC-based product manufacturers. In 2023, the top 100 chemical manufacturers worldwide conducted over 115,000 GPC-based analyses for quality control purposes. Additionally, the shift toward biodegradable plastics and green chemistry has pushed over 250 companies to upgrade or expand their GPC capabilities in the last two years alone.
Government Agencies: Government labs and regulatory bodies use GPC systems to enforce compliance and evaluate material performance for public applications such as construction, transportation, and environmental safety. In 2023, approximately USD 120 million worth of GPC systems were procured by national labs and certification bodies worldwide. Agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) routinely employ GPC in the evaluation of polymer-based products. A notable example is the U.S. FDA’s use of GPC in testing over 3,700 polymeric drug and device submissions between 2021–2023. More than 180 government labs in Asia-Pacific also reported using GPC for environmental testing and food packaging regulation.
Others: This group includes a mix of industries—such as paints and coatings, cosmetics, 3D printing, and electronics—that use GPC for niche or highly specialized applications. Collectively, they accounted for USD 210 million in GPC system sales in 2023. For instance, the 3D printing sector has emerged as a new area of adoption, especially for characterizing PLA, ABS, and PETG filaments. In 2023, over 640 additive manufacturing companies worldwide purchased GPC systems to refine material formulations. The cosmetics industry also uses GPC for polymer emulsifier profiling, with over 250 major brands adopting GPC into their formulation pipelines last year.

By Application

Analytical Systems: Analytical GPC systems form the backbone of the market, accounting for roughly 66% of total GPC installations, or about 6,000 systems globally in 2023. These systems are critical for determining polymer molecular weight distribution, intrinsic viscosity, and structural integrity. Laboratories in North America and Europe are the heaviest users, with the average analytical GPC system operating 5–7 hours daily in high-volume environments. In Japan, more than 70% of materials research labs reported using GPC as a primary technique for polymer evaluation. The push for product optimization in plastics and elastomers has led to a 12.7% annual growth in analytical GPC system usage worldwide.
Clean-Up Systems: While smaller in share, clean-up GPC systems are indispensable in sample preparation workflows, particularly in pesticide residue analysis, food testing, and environmental monitoring. As of 2023, there were over 2,800 clean-up GPC systems deployed globally, with an estimated market value of USD 736 million. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and equivalent bodies in Canada and Australia utilize GPC clean-up systems for soil and water analysis, ensuring regulatory compliance. In the food industry, companies like Nestlé and Unilever use GPC clean-up in preparation of complex matrices for LC-MS/MS and GC-MS testing. Clean-up systems are increasingly integrated with robotics and automation—over 45% of all new systems sold in 2023 included autosampler or automated column switching capabilities.

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Market Regional Outlook

North America

North America remains the most dominant region in the global GPC market, driven by its advanced infrastructure in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and polymer research. In 2023, the North American GPC market was valued at approximately USD 500 million, accounting for around 39.9% of the global share. The United States leads the regional demand with over 4,200 active GPC systems deployed across pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and federal research facilities. Canada also reported a significant increase in demand, particularly among environmental agencies and chemical manufacturers, with a 12.5% year-on-year increase in GPC system imports between 2022 and 2023. The presence of global GPC leaders such as Waters Corporation and Agilent Technologies in the U.S. further strengthens market penetration through aggressive R&D and local distribution. In 2023, North America saw over 1,100 new installations, a 9% increase over the previous year, with the majority being analytical systems tailored for high-precision polymer applications.

Europe

Europe holds a substantial share of the GPC market, valued at over USD 430 million in 2023. Countries such as Germany, the UK, France, and the Netherlands are the key contributors. Germany alone accounted for over 18% of Europe’s GPC sales, driven by its robust plastics and automotive industries. The European market benefits from strong academic funding and environmental compliance programs, which mandate the use of sophisticated polymer analysis technologies. For instance, over 1,500 academic and research labs across Europe integrated GPC into polymer, nanomaterial, and sustainability studies in 2023. The EU’s Horizon Europe program and country-specific funding initiatives in Switzerland and Scandinavia allocated a combined EUR 115 million toward advanced material research projects, many of which listed GPC instrumentation as core analytical tools. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors also play a key role in this region, with companies such as L’Oréal and Novartis heavily investing in GPC for polymer profiling in formulations and drug delivery systems.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the GPC market, with a valuation of approximately USD 300 million in 2023 and projected to exceed USD 600 million by 2032. China, Japan, India, and South Korea dominate this region due to rapid industrialization, expanding pharmaceutical infrastructure, and increased government support for R&D. China alone installed over 2,400 GPC systems in 2023, with significant uptake in plastic manufacturing and environmental monitoring. In India, demand for analytical and high-temperature GPC systems surged, with over 700 new units added in 2023 across pharmaceutical and academic sectors. South Korea’s materials innovation programs and government-subsidized lab initiatives led to a 15.7% rise in GPC acquisitions during the same year. Japan, which maintains a mature polymer market, continues to integrate GPC systems with AI-driven software to support both academic and industrial research. Collectively, these countries represent a critical manufacturing and innovation hub, making Asia-Pacific a focal point for GPC growth through both volume and technological advancement.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa (MEA) region represents the smallest share in the global GPC market but is experiencing steady growth, especially in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. The MEA GPC market was valued at approximately USD 80 million in 2023, projected to reach USD 150 million by 2032. Growth is primarily driven by expanding pharmaceutical production in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and increasing investments in academic research. In Saudi Arabia, over 120 GPC systems were deployed in petrochemical research and polymer R&D centers by the end of 2023. The UAE’s focus on diversifying its economy has resulted in increased government spending on scientific research, leading to a 23% rise in analytical instrument imports compared to 2021. In Africa, South Africa remains the primary market, with GPC systems being used in food safety, environmental analysis, and polymer research. Limited access to skilled personnel and high equipment costs remain key barriers; however, donor-supported initiatives and public-private partnerships are helping expand accessibility to advanced chromatography technologies in underserved regions.

List of Top Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) Market Companies

Waters
Shimadzu
Agilent Technologies
Malvern
TOSOH Corporation
Schambeck SFD
Polymer Char
J2 Scientific
Gilson
LC Tech
Labtech

Top Two Companies with Highest Market Shares

Waters Corporation: Waters Corporation holds the largest market share in the global GPC landscape, widely recognized for its broad product range, including the Alliance™ GPC 2000 System and ACQUITY™ APC System. In 2023, Waters accounted for approximately 22.4% of the total market share, supplying over 4,500 systems across 70 countries. The company reported over USD 340 million in revenue from its polymer and material characterization segment, which includes both analytical and preparative GPC systems. Waters continues to lead through innovation, particularly with its fully automated systems, which reduce run times by up to 35%, and its Empower™ software suite, adopted by over 3,000 laboratories globally. Waters also maintains a strong presence in North America and Europe, where over 50% of pharmaceutical and polymer testing labs reported using Waters equipment as of 2023. Additionally, Waters invested over USD 135 million in R&D in 2023, a portion of which was directed towards advancing detection sensitivity in its next-gen GPC detectors.
Shimadzu Corporation: Shimadzu Corporation is another major player in the GPC market, with a focus on high-performance systems designed for academic, pharmaceutical, and industrial research applications. As of 2023, Shimadzu controlled around 17.8% of the global GPC market share. Its product lineup, including the Prominence™ GPC System and advanced multi-detector setups, has been widely adopted across Asia and Europe. In 2023 alone, Shimadzu delivered over 3,600 new GPC units, with Asia-Pacific accounting for 58% of its regional sales. The company also supports integrated polymer analysis platforms with high-throughput and high-temperature capabilities. A standout feature is Shimadzu’s LabSolutions™ software, which automates calibration and data integration across multi-detector platforms. In terms of global installations, more than 2,200 universities and research labs reported active use of Shimadzu GPC systems in 2023. Shimadzu’s revenue from chromatography systems reached approximately USD 290 million, with 34% directly attributed to GPC-related business lines. Recent expansion into the Middle East and Africa via regional distributors has also contributed to a 6.2% YoY increase in global unit sales.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) market is experiencing steady capital influx from both private and public sectors. In 2023, total global investment in polymer characterization technologies, including GPC, was estimated at over USD 1.1 billion, with approximately 43% allocated specifically to infrastructure upgrades and high-performance instrumentation. This investment surge is largely driven by the rising demand for advanced polymer analytics across pharmaceutical, environmental, and specialty chemical sectors. In North America, venture capital investment in analytical instrumentation startups reached USD 220 million in 2023, with at least USD 75 million dedicated to chromatography-based solutions. Several biotech and polymer R&D companies received grants and strategic funding aimed at developing miniaturized and high-throughput GPC systems. The U.S. government also allocated USD 92 million in 2023 through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for next-gen metrology programs, with GPC technologies listed among core instrument categories for polymer-based measurement projects. In Europe, Horizon Europe and national innovation programs contributed a combined EUR 135 million to laboratory infrastructure upgrades, which included the acquisition of new GPC systems across 240+ universities and research centers in 2023. Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) specifically earmarked EUR 27 million toward advanced material characterization, benefitting both academic labs and contract research organizations using GPC technologies. Asia-Pacific remains the most aggressive region in terms of investment momentum. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan includes a dedicated budget of CNY 4.5 billion (USD 625 million) for materials science innovation, with a significant portion allocated to analytical equipment, including GPC. In India, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) invested over INR 250 crore (USD 30 million) in 2023 to support GPC installations in both IITs and regional polymer research centers. South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT funded multiple national labs with USD 45 million to scale GPC-enabled synthetic polymer research. Private sector investments are also on the rise. In 2023, Waters Corporation invested USD 135 million into expanding its chromatography manufacturing capacity, including the development of more compact, AI-driven GPC platforms. Agilent Technologies and Shimadzu each announced multimillion-dollar joint ventures to establish demo labs and service centers in high-growth regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East. These ventures are expected to reduce turnaround times for support services and increase equipment adoption in emerging markets. Mergers and acquisitions also play a pivotal role in investment dynamics. For instance, in early 2024, a strategic acquisition deal between two European GPC software firms—valued at EUR 115 million—is expected to enhance data automation capabilities and offer end-users seamless integration from instrument to cloud. This vertical integration trend is attracting attention from institutional investors, particularly those interested in lab digitalization. Opportunities continue to grow in specialized areas such as portable GPC systems, which represented a market value of USD 150 million in 2023 and are projected to gain traction in clinical diagnostics and point-of-care material testing. Similarly, GPC systems designed specifically for biodegradable polymers and medical devices are attracting R&D funding and commercialization efforts, especially in Japan, Germany, and the U.S. Overall, strong investment signals, a growing focus on miniaturization and automation, and global regulatory alignment are creating an extremely fertile ground for further innovation and expansion in the GPC market.

New Product Development

The Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) market is undergoing a wave of innovation, with manufacturers launching new systems that enhance precision, throughput, and automation. In 2023, the global market for newly developed GPC products was valued at over USD 390 million, reflecting significant R&D commitments across both analytical and preparative segments. The emphasis on next-generation features, such as multi-detector configurations, artificial intelligence integration, and eco-friendly solvent systems, has redefined product development in this field. Waters Corporation introduced a new iteration of its flagship ACQUITY™ Advanced Polymer Chromatography (APC) system in late 2023. This system enables faster analysis times—up to 60% shorter run cycles compared to conventional GPC systems—while maintaining exceptional accuracy. The platform integrates seamlessly with Waters Empower™ software and features modular designs that support both ambient and elevated temperature analyses. Initial field studies conducted across 20 labs in North America showed an 18% increase in reproducibility and 25% reduction in solvent usage, aligning with sustainability goals of large research organizations. Shimadzu launched the Prominence-i LT GPC system, which incorporates a built-in autosampler, refractive index detector, and high-temperature flow cells. The system can operate continuously at temperatures up to 220°C, addressing the needs of polymer scientists working with polyolefins and engineering plastics. In pilot deployments across South Korea and Germany, users reported a 32% increase in sample throughput and 15% lower system downtime, thanks to the integrated diagnostics module that flags performance deviations in real time. Agilent Technologies focused on software innovation with the release of GPC/SEC 4.0, a cloud-enabled chromatography data system designed specifically for multi-detector GPC workflows. This software suite enhances polymer peak resolution by up to 20% through real-time baseline correction algorithms and facilitates compliance with regulatory standards via secure data logging. The system has already been adopted by over 650 labs globally and received positive feedback for its intuitive interface and rapid deployment across multi-location facilities. Other companies have made strides in niche areas. For example, Polymer Char released a compact GPC-QC system targeted at quality control labs in polyolefin manufacturing. The unit’s footprint is 45% smaller than traditional systems and allows fully automated overnight runs for up to 48 samples. Meanwhile, TOSOH Corporation unveiled new high-capacity GPC columns in 2023, designed to withstand up to 400 bar pressure, increasing compatibility with ultra-fast flow rates and high-viscosity polymer solutions. Sustainability has become a key focus area for product development. Several new systems released in 2023 incorporate solvent recycling modules that reduce annual waste by up to 35 liters per instrument, significantly cutting operational costs and environmental impact. Vendors like Malvern and Schambeck SFD have also introduced systems with energy-saving components, using sleep modes and real-time power management to reduce electricity consumption by 15–20% per instrument. Additionally, new detector technologies have entered the market. Multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detectors with higher angular resolution are now standard in top-tier GPC systems, providing enhanced sensitivity for high-molecular-weight polymers and biological macromolecules. In 2023, sales of GPC systems equipped with triple detectors (RI, UV-VIS, and MALS) increased by 21.7%, indicating a growing demand for comprehensive molecular analysis capabilities. These new product developments reflect a broader industry push toward automation, miniaturization, and digitization—trends that are reshaping how laboratories and manufacturers adopt GPC technology. The coming years are expected to see an even sharper rise in smart systems with predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics, and AI-based decision-making to guide analysts in selecting optimal separation parameters. All of these innovations are steadily increasing accessibility and reducing the total cost of ownership, positioning GPC systems as central instruments across a wide range of industries.

Five Recent Developments

Waters Corporation launches ACQUITY APC XT System (Q2 2023): In April 2023, Waters Corporation unveiled the ACQUITY APC XT, a high-resolution GPC system with an integrated dual-detector module and energy-efficient solvent usage. The new system supports up to 300 samples per week with an average analysis time of less than 10 minutes per run. The launch targeted high-throughput polymer labs in North America and Europe and is currently deployed in over 420 commercial installations globally.
Shimadzu expands GPC manufacturing in Malaysia (Q3 2023): In September 2023, Shimadzu Corporation announced a USD 45 million investment to expand its chromatography production facility in Kuala Lumpur. The plant will increase output of high-temperature GPC systems and refractive index detectors by 28%, aiming to serve rising demand across the Asia-Pacific region. This expansion is expected to shorten delivery times to Southeast Asian countries by up to 40%.
Agilent Technologies partners with European R&D consortium (Q4 2023): Agilent entered into a strategic partnership with a European Union-backed research consortium focused on biopolymer analytics. As part of the agreement, Agilent supplied over 120 GPC/SEC 4.0 software licenses and 60 GPC instruments to research institutions in Germany, Sweden, and France. The collaboration targets improved data reproducibility and supports real-time molecular modeling of biodegradable polymers.
Polymer Char introduces GPC-QC Ultra for Polyolefins (Q1 2024): In February 2024, Polymer Char launched GPC-QC Ultra, a fully automated GPC solut