Laboratory Equipment Market Size & Share [2033]

Laboratory Equipment Market Overview

The Laboratory Equipment Market size was valued at USD 45095.18 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 60400.71 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2025 to 2033.

The laboratory equipment market is undergoing significant expansion due to rising investments in healthcare infrastructure, biotechnology, and academic research. In 2023, over 31,000 life sciences research laboratories were actively operating across North America, Europe, and Asia, directly influencing the demand for laboratory equipment such as spectrophotometers, centrifuges, and incubators. The global clinical laboratory testing volume exceeded 14 billion tests in 2023, reflecting growing demand for reliable and high-precision diagnostic tools.

Emerging economies, especially in Asia-Pacific, witnessed over 12% annual increase in laboratory installations, with China and India contributing significantly due to rapid growth in pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Globally, over 7,000 new laboratory facilities were commissioned in the past two years to support research in fields like virology, genomics, and drug development. Automation is also playing a key role, with robotic laboratory automation systems deployed in more than 3,200 laboratories worldwide as of 2024. Hospitals accounted for over 40% of laboratory equipment utilization, while academic and industrial research centers made up another 45%. With increasing focus on precision medicine, molecular diagnostics, and real-time monitoring, the laboratory equipment market is positioned as a cornerstone of healthcare and scientific innovation worldwide.

Key Findings

Driver: Rising global demand for life sciences and clinical diagnostics is accelerating the adoption of laboratory equipment, particularly in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.

Top Country/Region: The United States leads in laboratory equipment adoption, with over 45% of global laboratory automation systems installed in the region as of 2024.

Top Segment: The analytical equipment segment dominates, with over 39% market share attributed to instruments such as spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and centrifuges.

Laboratory Equipment Market Trends

The laboratory equipment market is experiencing transformative trends, driven by innovation, automation, and evolving application demands. The increasing shift toward high-throughput laboratory environments has elevated the demand for automated analyzers, pipetting robots, and microplate readers. As of 2023, over 3,200 laboratories globally implemented partial or full automation solutions, signaling a shift toward efficiency and reproducibility. Digitization is another notable trend. Smart laboratory instruments equipped with IoT and AI capabilities grew by 17.6% year-over-year from 2022 to 2023. These smart devices support real-time diagnostics, cloud-based data sharing, and error reduction, especially in clinical laboratories and research institutions. For instance, by the end of 2023, over 6,500 laboratories worldwide were using connected equipment for real-time data capture and remote operation. In the life sciences sector, the global rise of precision medicine and genomics is prompting increased demand for advanced sequencing platforms, thermal cyclers, and electrophoresis systems. The total number of DNA sequencers sold globally in 2023 exceeded 5,200 units, reflecting increasing investment in molecular biology.

Sustainability trends are also reshaping the laboratory landscape. Energy-efficient lab freezers and fume hoods with reduced carbon emissions are now in demand. Over 42% of new laboratory equipment launched in 2023 included sustainability features, addressing environmental concerns. Consumables like filters, pipette tips, and vials are being increasingly standardized and customized. Disposable labware usage rose by 11% globally in 2023, especially in pharmaceutical testing environments. Furthermore, integration with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) is becoming a standard requirement. As of 2024, more than 60% of clinical and research laboratories in Europe and North America had adopted LIMS-compatible instruments. Overall, the market is moving toward integrated, intelligent, and sustainable solutions that serve multidisciplinary labs, from basic research to applied diagnostics and quality assurance.

Laboratory Equipment Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals.

The surge in pharmaceutical R&D and global drug development activities is a major growth driver for the laboratory equipment market. As of 2023, there were over 21,000 clinical trials in progress globally, requiring advanced laboratory infrastructure. Equipment like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, spectrometers, and temperature-controlled incubators are integral to these trials. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies increased their laboratory capacity by over 18% year-over-year between 2022 and 2023 to accommodate expanded pipelines. Investments in biologics and biosimilars are further elevating demand for protein analysis tools and lab-scale bioreactors. With increasing focus on vaccine development and cell & gene therapy, laboratory equipment demand from pharma and biotech firms is expected to remain consistently strong.

RESTRAINT

Demand for refurbished equipment.

Despite rapid advancements, many laboratories—particularly in developing countries—opt for refurbished or second-hand equipment due to cost constraints. In 2023, the refurbished lab equipment segment grew by 14% globally, driven by hospitals, diagnostic centers, and educational institutions with limited budgets. Refurbished analyzers, centrifuges, and incubators cost between 30%–50% less than new models, making them attractive alternatives. This trend, however, impacts the sale of new, cutting-edge equipment and may hinder adoption of latest technologies. Furthermore, inconsistent quality assurance and service support in the refurbished segment pose risks, further complicating adoption of advanced features.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalized medicines.

Personalized medicine is emerging as a powerful trend in healthcare, requiring specific laboratory tools for genomic and proteomic profiling. The rise of biomarker discovery, gene expression analysis, and single-cell RNA sequencing is driving demand for specialized PCR systems, flow cytometers, and DNA sequencers. In 2023, over 14,000 research labs worldwide reported involvement in precision medicine-related projects. The U.S. Precision Medicine Initiative and Europe’s Horizon 2020 program have collectively allocated billions in funding to genomics research, fueling laboratory equipment installations. Furthermore, demand for laboratory automation in personalized treatment workflows rose by 22% in 2023, presenting ample opportunity for equipment manufacturers to cater to niche, high-growth applications.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs and expenditures.

One of the key challenges for the laboratory equipment market is the high cost of acquiring and maintaining advanced instruments. Equipment such as electron microscopes, high-resolution mass spectrometers, and genomic sequencers can exceed $500,000 per unit, making them financially inaccessible to smaller institutions. Additionally, regulatory compliance and calibration requirements increase long-term costs. Service contracts and replacement parts can add 15%–20% to annual operating expenses. Laboratories in developing nations often face budgetary constraints and rely on limited-capability systems, reducing overall market penetration for premium equipment. This economic barrier hampers modernization and restricts technological adoption.

Laboratory Equipment Market Segmentation

The laboratory equipment market is segmented by type and application. By type, the market includes calibration, maintenance, repair, and other services that support the operational integrity of laboratory instruments. By application, it spans lab instruments, equipment, supplies, and other research support categories.

By Type

Calibration: services are crucial for ensuring accuracy in experimental data and compliance with international standards. In 2023, over 78% of laboratories in regulated industries conducted routine calibration of core devices such as balances, pipettes, and pH meters. Third-party calibration services grew by 12.5% globally as laboratories outsourced to specialized vendors to meet ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
Maintenance: minimizes downtime and extends instrument lifespan. In 2023, 65% of labs adopted preventive maintenance programs. Automated instruments like liquid handlers and spectrophotometers require periodic servicing to maintain operational efficiency. Service providers reported a 9.3% growth in lab maintenance contracts between 2022 and 2023.
Repair: services are in high demand for aging lab infrastructure. On average, equipment over 7 years old is 3.5 times more likely to require repairs. Diagnostic laboratories in Asia reported the highest service-related downtime—averaging 18 hours per incident in 2023, reinforcing the need for responsive repair solutions.
Other: This includes software upgrades, installation services, and compliance support. With increasing LIMS integration and data security concerns, software-based support saw 20% year-on-year growth in 2023. As more laboratories transition to digital workflows, such services are expected to gain traction.

By Application

Lab Instruments: like microscopes, centrifuges, and analyzers remain the core category, accounting for 41% of global market volume in 2023. High-precision instruments used in analytical chemistry and biotechnology labs are in constant demand. The number of laboratories using automated pipetting systems rose to 22,000 units globally in 2023.
Equipment: This segment includes refrigerators, freezers, fume hoods, and laminar flow cabinets. Environmental monitoring and temperature-sensitive testing boosted demand for cold storage equipment, with 110,000+ units sold in 2023 alone. Energy-efficient models accounted for 38% of new installations.
Supplies: Lab consumables such as test tubes, gloves, beakers, and glassware form an essential support segment. In 2023, the global usage of lab supplies grew by 16.8%, largely fueled by diagnostic testing, microbiology research, and pharmaceutical labs scaling up operations.
Other: Includes reagents, chemicals, and software tools. Reagent kits used in molecular diagnostics increased by 19% in 2023, especially in COVID-19 and cancer biomarker testing workflows. Integration of software for instrument control also rose significantly.

Laboratory Equipment Market Regional Outlook

Global laboratory equipment demand is dominated by North America, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. Each region reflects a distinct pattern of adoption based on research activity, funding, and infrastructure. North America leads in advanced lab automation and digitalization. Europe maintains strength in sustainable and regulated lab operations. Asia-Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region due to biotech manufacturing and academic expansion. Latin America and the Middle East are expanding gradually, supported by increased healthcare investments. Equipment penetration remains uneven, with urban areas seeing higher adoption rates. Overall, regional diversity reflects the specialized needs and funding capacity of various laboratory environments.

North America

remains the most mature market for laboratory equipment, led by the U.S., which houses over 6,800 pharmaceutical and biotech labs as of 2023. Advanced hospital and academic research infrastructure have driven high adoption of automated instruments, especially in oncology and genomics. More than 65% of U.S. clinical laboratories utilize digital analyzers, while Canada has seen over 350 new lab facilities opened in the past two years. With strong federal funding from NIH and CDC, research centers across Boston, San Diego, and Toronto are investing heavily in next-gen lab equipment.

Europe

holds a significant share of the global laboratory equipment market, driven by established research hubs in Germany, the UK, and France. The region reported over 5,200 laboratories involved in EU-funded R&D initiatives in 2023. Sustainability and regulatory compliance drive equipment upgrades—over 55% of new installations in 2023 conformed to EU environmental standards. Germany leads the region with more than 1,200 biotech R&D labs, while the UK showed a 12% increase in laboratory automation. Academic collaboration across the EU has also boosted procurement of shared-use scientific equipment.

Asia-Pacific

is the fastest-growing region in the laboratory equipment market. China, India, Japan, and South Korea collectively accounted for over 7,500 new laboratory setups in 2023. China leads in investment, with over 1,000 new research labs added to support biotech and pharmaceutical research. India’s lab infrastructure grew by 15% year-over-year, driven by Make in India initiatives and demand for diagnostics. Japan remains a leader in precision instruments, with high export of lab automation systems. Increasing university enrollments and biotech startup funding are pushing regional demand upward.

Middle East & Africa

region is witnessing steady growth, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. In 2023, more than 420 labs were commissioned in the region to support healthcare modernization. GCC countries have launched initiatives to build biotechnology parks and research hospitals. Over 60% of lab procurement in the region came from government institutions. However, limited infrastructure in many African nations restricts high-end equipment adoption. Continued international collaborations and funding from global health agencies are helping bridge the infrastructure gap.

List of Top Laboratory Equipment Companies

Agilent Technologies
Danaher Corporation
Eppendorf AG
Hettich Instruments LP
Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
Merck Millipore
Mindray Medical International Limited
Pace Analytical Services Inc.
Perkinelmer Inc.
Siemens

Danaher Corporation: held the highest share in the laboratory equipment market due to its wide range of offerings including Beckman Coulter analyzers and Sciex instruments. The company supported over 20,000 laboratories worldwide, with strong presence in molecular diagnostics and clinical automation.

Agilent Technologies: Agilent served over 16,000 laboratories globally by 2023, with strong performance in analytical instrumentation including chromatography systems, spectroscopy, and bioanalyzers. Agilent launched 12 new instruments in 2023 and expanded its customer base in over 35 countries.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in laboratory equipment have intensified across both public and private sectors, fueled by growing research initiatives, diagnostic testing needs, and healthcare innovation. In 2023, more than $8 billion was invested globally in upgrading laboratory infrastructure and equipment, especially in the life sciences and biopharma segments. Government funding programs in the U.S., such as NIH grants, increased by over 14% year-over-year, allowing hospitals and universities to procure high-end analytical systems. Private equity and venture capital firms are also investing in laboratory-as-a-service startups and equipment rental platforms. In 2023, over 40 startups offering lab services or modular equipment rentals received funding totaling more than $500 million. This investment pattern is opening access to high-performance lab instruments for mid-sized and emerging labs, particularly in Asia-Pacific. Notably, APAC countries such as India and China are launching large-scale R&D zones, science parks, and genomics labs requiring state-of-the-art equipment.

India’s government allocated funds for 12 new biotechnology research centers in 2023, triggering laboratory equipment procurement contracts from global suppliers. Hospital laboratories, pathology chains, and private diagnostic labs are investing in automation to improve sample processing speed and reduce human error. In 2023, over 7,000 clinical labs worldwide adopted automated analyzers and robotic workstations. Investment in cold chain laboratory equipment such as ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers and storage systems rose by 19%, driven by vaccine R&D and biobanking needs. The market is also seeing increased demand for software-driven laboratory workflows. Instruments with LIMS and AI integration attracted more than $1.2 billion in investments in 2023, especially in North America and Europe. Equipment with embedded cloud computing capabilities helped laboratories in over 70 countries conduct remote operations and collaborative research. There is also a strong opportunity for investments in green laboratory technology. Equipment makers offering energy-efficient centrifuges, low-noise incubators, and low-waste fume hoods are attracting new contracts from sustainability-focused institutions.

New Product Development

Innovation in laboratory equipment is accelerating, with manufacturers introducing smart, automated, and modular systems that improve efficiency, reliability, and data connectivity. In 2023, over 480 new laboratory equipment products were launched globally, ranging from compact spectrophotometers to next-generation digital microscopes. One of the most significant innovations has been the integration of IoT and AI in laboratory instruments. Devices like connected pipettes, smart incubators, and real-time pH monitoring systems have made it easier for labs to achieve reproducibility and compliance. By 2024, more than 28% of new lab equipment was launched with digital and connectivity features. Agilent Technologies released a new line of LC/MS systems with built-in AI software capable of detecting anomalies and optimizing workflows in real time. This launch led to over 2,000 units sold in under 12 months, particularly among contract research organizations (CROs).

Danaher Corporation’s Beckman Coulter brand introduced the DxH 900 hematology analyzer with enhanced throughput and reduced reagent usage, which saw rapid adoption across 1,400+ labs in its first year. Similarly, Thermo Fisher expanded its Smart-Lab product range to include modular fume hoods and climate-controlled storage units compatible with mobile control apps. In 2023, Eppendorf AG introduced automated cell culture platforms, designed specifically for stem cell and tissue engineering research. These systems reduced manual handling time by 70%, allowing for scalable experimentation in regenerative medicine labs. There has also been a focus on miniaturization. Portable spectrometers, handheld DNA analyzers, and compact centrifuges were in high demand in 2023. Over 9,500 units of handheld analyzers were sold to field labs and mobile diagnostics centers. Hitachi High-Technologies released a micro-volume spectrometer capable of analyzing samples as small as 1 µL, enhancing performance for forensic and environmental testing.

Five Recent Developments

Agilent Technologies launched the InfinityLab LC/MSD iQ in Q3 2023, featuring intelligent signal optimization and real-time data processing. Over 1,000 units were deployed globally within six months.
Danaher’s Beckman Coulter introduced the DxA 5000 Fit pre-analytical system in 2024, automating blood sample handling and reducing turnaround time by 47% across hospital labs.
Eppendorf AG unveiled the CryoCube F740 series in early 2024, delivering ultra-low temperature storage with 25% improved energy efficiency for biobank applications.
Merck Millipore released the Milli-Q IQ 7000 ultrapure water system in late 2023, featuring touchscreen controls and IoT integration, adopted by 3,000+ labs within the first year.
Mindray Medical expanded into North America in Q2 2024 by establishing an innovation center in Texas focused on diagnostic instruments, employing over 200 engineers and scientists.

Report Coverage of Laboratory Equipment Market

This comprehensive report on the global laboratory equipment market offers detailed insights into market drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges, and trends shaping the industry. It covers data-driven analysis of equipment types, applications, services, and end-user adoption across key geographies. The report analyzes market structure by segmenting the industry into calibration, maintenance, repair, and other support services, alongside applications such as lab instruments, equipment, and consumables. In 2023, laboratory automation, connectivity, and sustainability emerged as defining trends. Over 28% of labs globally transitioned to smart instruments, while 16% adopted AI-enhanced tools, especially in clinical diagnostics and pharmaceutical testing. The report includes detailed profiling of these segments, showcasing product-level data and performance benchmarks. Geographic coverage includes detailed analysis of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America led adoption in digital and automated solutions, while Asia-Pacific demonstrated the fastest expansion, driven by biotech growth in China, India, and South Korea. Europe maintained strong compliance-driven demand, especially in Germany, the UK, and France.

The report also includes company profiles and strategic developments of major players including Agilent Technologies, Danaher Corporation, PerkinElmer, Siemens, and more. These profiles cover their product innovations, global reach, mergers, and R&D investments. In 2023–2024, over 480 new laboratory equipment products were launched across major brands, and this report categorizes these launches by type and use-case. Market dynamics are analyzed thoroughly, including how rising pharmaceutical R&D, demand for personalized medicine, and life sciences research are increasing equipment demand. The report also examines economic pressures, such as rising equipment costs and competition from refurbished products. It provides actionable insights for stakeholders to align investment strategies and product development plans. Further, the report explores the increasing role of government funding, international collaboration, and sustainability goals in shaping procurement decisions. It also highlights lab service providers and rental business models as key disruptors in price-sensitive regions.