Automated Plate Handlers Market

Global Automated Plate Handlers Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The size of the global automated plate handlers market is projected to reach USD 1510.9 million by 2029 from USD 1268.5 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 3.56% from 2024 to 2029.

Automated plate handlers are robotic systems designed for laboratories to automate the handling of microplates. Microplates are with multiple wells made for experiments and are efficiently managed by these handlers, automating their movement between instruments like plate readers and incubators. Offering high throughput, precision, and seamless integration with lab equipment, they enhance efficiency and reduce the need for manual intervention. Also, researchers benefit from consistent and accurate experimental results, especially in high-throughput screening and drug discovery. Therefore, the customizable workflows of automated plate handlers adapt to various experimental protocols, making them invaluable in creating a connected and automated laboratory environment.

Global Automated Plate Handlers Market Drivers

The rising efficiency is a driving force for the automated plate handlers market to grow worldwide. These innovative systems increase laboratory workflows by automating dull tasks like plate loading, unloading, and transportation. By expertly managing multiple plates and laboratories benefit from the ability to process larger volumes of samples in significantly reduced time which unlocks greater productivity and accelerates research and testing endeavours. This rise in efficiency not only eases experimentation and analysis but also minimizes the risk of human errors associated with manual handling. However, the automated plate handlers market witnesses sustained growth as it meets the escalating demand for streamlined and high-performance solutions.

The growth of the automated plate handlers market is further driven by the continuous advancements in automation technology. A pivotal side of this evolution involves the integration of cutting-edge robotics and sophisticated software solutions. These technologies contribute significantly to the development of more complex, user-friendly plate handling systems. However, the seamless integration of these automated plate handlers with diverse laboratory equipment and software platforms raises the overall capabilities of laboratory automation. As technology continues to evolve, the automated plate handlers market adapts by offering increasingly sophisticated solutions, meeting the growing demands of industries engaged in drug discovery, genomics, and other high-throughput applications.

Collaboration with research institutions and academia emerges to enhance the growth opportunities for the Automated Plate Handlers market in the coming years. This collaborative approach facilitates the development of specialized plate-handling systems tailored to meet the distinct demands of advanced scientific investigations. However, understanding the variation of evolving research needs allows for the creation of solutions that enhance efficiency and precision in handling diverse samples. As a result, such partnerships not only foster technological advancements but also position market participants at the forefront of addressing the dynamic requirements of research institutions, driving the evolution of automated plate handlers to align with the forefront of scientific discovery.

Global Automated Plate Handlers Market Restraints:

The high initial investment is certainly a limiting factor for the market's growth. The considerable rise in costs associated with acquiring and implementing automated plate handlers creates a formidable barrier, particularly for smaller laboratories and facilities operating within constrained budgets. This financial hurdle affects the widespread adoption of automated solutions in settings where cost considerations play an important role. As market players strive for a broader market point, addressing this challenge needs exploring cost-effective solutions, and financing options, and emphasizing the long-term benefits to sway smaller laboratories towards embracing automation and reaping the rewards of enhanced productivity workflows.

In the automated plate handlers market, the formidable challenge of data security concerns looms over laboratories dealing with sensitive data, as seen in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. The reluctance to adopt automated systems arises from concerns surrounding the safeguarding of confidential information and ensuring compliance with strict regulatory standards. Addressing these concerns is important for the development of automated plate handling systems with advanced encryption, secure data transmission protocols, and stringent compliance features.

Impact of the COVID-19 on the automated plate handlers market:

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented both disadvantages and advantages for the automated plate handlers market. On the demerit, disruptions in global supply chains have led to delays in manufacturing and delivery of automated systems, affecting the market’s growth. However, on the positive side, the heightened focus on laboratory efficiency and the need for better solutions in the development and testing of vaccines and diagnostics has increased the adoption of automated plate handlers. The pandemic has underscored the importance of automation in handling large-scale sample processing, thereby creating new opportunities for market players to contribute to the global response to public health crises.

REPORT COVERAGE:

This research report on the global automated plate handles market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on type, end-user and region.

Global Automated Plate Handlers Market - By Type:

• Automated Plate Handler
• Automated Plate Stacker
• Automated Barcode Labeller

Based on type, the automated plate handler segment had the largest share of 76.4% in the global market in 2023 and the domination of the segment is anticipated to continue throughout the forecast period. The growth of the segment is majorly attributed to its comprehensive functionality, which includes tasks such as plate loading, unloading, and transportation, significantly enhancing overall workflow efficiency and throughput. However, automated Plate Handlers are also versatile, capable of handling multiple plates simultaneously, making them essential in high-throughput applications, such as drug discovery and genomics research.

Global Automated Plate Handlers Market - By End-user:

• Liquid Handling
• Drug Discovery
• Genomics
• Bio Analysis

Based on end-user, the drug discovery segment has been dominating worldwide in the recent past and the same trend is expected to continue throughout the forecast period. The high-throughput capabilities of Automated Plate Handlers align seamlessly with the rigorous demands of drug discovery processes, where large volumes of samples must be efficiently processed and analyzed.

Global Automated Plate Handlers Market – By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

North America holds a leading position in the Automated Plate Handlers Market, primarily due to a robust presence of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, driving the demand for high-throughput automation solutions with a 50% rise from the previous record. However well-established research infrastructure, significant investments in life sciences, and a strong emphasis on technological innovation also contribute to the dominance of this region.

Europe is the second competitive market for automated plate handlers and holds the second largest share during the forecast period and is primarily driven by a well-developed healthcare sector and a focus on research and development in countries like Germany, the UK, and France. Also, regulatory support for laboratory automation, collaborations between academic institutions and industries, and a growing demand for advanced technologies contribute to the market's strength.

The Asia-Pacific region exhibits rapid growth in the Automated Plate Handlers Market, fuelled by increasing investments in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology in countries like China, Japan, and India. Emerging economies, a rising focus on drug discovery and development, and a growing emphasis on precision medicine contribute to the market's expansion in this region.

Latin America is witnessing a developing presence in the Automated Plate Handlers Market, with a focus on enhancing research capabilities and laboratory efficiency. Increasing collaborations between international players and local institutions, coupled with a rising demand for automation in diagnostics and research, contribute to the market's evolution.

The Middle East and Africa are relatively nascent markets for Automated Plate Handlers, with a growing interest in enhancing laboratory capabilities and research infrastructure. Government initiatives supporting healthcare and research, partnerships with global players, and rising awareness of the benefits of laboratory automation contribute to the market's development.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS:

Companies playing a leading role in the global automated plate handles market include Agilent Technologies, Becton Dickinson, Siemens, Shimadzu, Aurora Biomed, Tecan Group, Molecular Devices, PerkinElmer, Bio-Rad, Synchron Lab, Eppendorf AG and Hudson Robotics.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET:

• In February 2023, Biosera, Inc, a global leader in automation solutions, and Analytik Jena announced an agreement for automatic liquid handling laboratory workflow that will allow researchers and scientists to accelerate the research.
• In May 2022, Molecular Devices, a global leader and provider of high-performance life science solutions, introduced five work-readymade work cells from entry to advanced level automating labor-intensive plate-based ELISA assays to increase the throughput and efficiency.
• In 2019, Agilent Technologies acquired Luxcel Biosciences to expand its cell analysis portfolio. Luxcel Biosciences develops real-time fluorescence plate-reader-based in-vitro cell assay kits.