Beaker Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Glass, Plastic), By Construction (Low Form, Flat Form, Tall Form), By End-User (Contract research organization, Research and Academic Institutes, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies, Healthcare Facilities) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global beaker market size was valued at USD 478.2 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 828.8 million by 2032, registering a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period (2024–2022). Beaker market share is affected by ongoing demand from research laboratories, educational institutions, and the healthcare sector, with borosilicate glass dominating because of its durability and broad use in numerous scientific applications.

A beaker is a cylindrical container with a flat bottom, spout, and short handle commonly used in laboratories for scientific and experimental purposes. Beakers are often made of borosilicate glass or plastic intended to hold, measure, mix, and heat liquids. Their simple yet adaptable structure makes them indispensable instruments in chemistry, biology, physics, and other scientific fields. 

Beaker market growth is inextricably tied to the expansion of R&D activities, the growing emphasis on STEM education, and the ongoing needs in healthcare diagnostics and pharmaceutical laboratories. Technological advancements in materials and manufacturing techniques contribute to the market's evolution, ensuring that beakers remain essential equipment for accurate and regulated research in various scientific fields. Environmental sustainability trends, regulatory compliance, and the continual global search for scientific knowledge and breakthroughs drive the market's trajectory.

Highlights

• Glass accounts for the largest share of the market based on material.
• Flat form is a significant contributor to the market based on construction.
• Research and academic institutes generate the highest revenue share by end-users.

Market Dynamics

Global Beaker Market Drivers

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Sector Growth

Beakers are extensively used in pharmaceutical laboratories for drug formulation and testing. In drug development, researchers use beakers to combine, measure, and heat diverse ingredients to produce and analyze pharmacological molecules. These mechanisms are critical in the initial phases of drug discovery and development. According to a survey released by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), global funding for biopharmaceutical R&D in 2023 would reach USD 72 billion, up from USD 61 billion in 2022. This significant expenditure means a constant demand for laboratory equipment, especially beakers, to support pharmaceutical research.

Furthermore, the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry, combined with an increased emphasis on research and development for novel treatments and therapies, directly impacts the demand for laboratory equipment. According to Statista, the worldwide pharmaceutical business was valued at over USD 1.6 trillion in 2023, up more than USD 100 billion from 2022. As pharmaceutical companies extend their global operations, the demand for high-quality, standardized laboratory glassware, such as beakers, grows. The use of cutting-edge technology in pharmaceutical research, such as high-throughput screening and personalized medicine approaches, increases the demand for versatile laboratory tools like beakers to meet a wide range of experimental needs.

Furthermore, the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries considerably influence the demand for beakers and other laboratory glassware. The expansion of these businesses, together with continued research and diagnostic operations, maintains the demand for high-quality laboratory equipment, highlighting the beaker market trend over the projection period.

Global Beaker Market Restraints

Environmental Concerns

The manufacture and disposal of glass beakers may have an environmental impact. The energy-intensive production process for glassware and the issues connected with recycling glass are constraints, particularly in light of the growing emphasis on sustainability. While borosilicate glass, a common material for laboratory glassware, is long-lasting and resistant to temperature changes, its production requires high-energy operations. Furthermore, recycling glass might be difficult due to possible contamination from chemical residues.

In 2023, the global glass recycling rate is approximately 31% in North America and 80% in Europe. The United States has a glass recycling rate of about 33%, comparable to Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries. Challenges such as contamination and the necessity for distinct color sorting can impact glass recycling efficiency. According to a study published in the "Journal of Cleaner Production," glass manufacture includes energy-intensive operations such as raw material extraction, transportation, and high-temperature silica melting. These processes increase greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption.

Moreover, environmental concerns about the production and disposal of glass beakers may affect purchase decisions in favor of more sustainable alternatives. Laboratories and institutions may look for glassware makers who use eco-friendly techniques or explore alternative materials with a lower environmental impact. Increased awareness of ecological sustainability may lead to developing more sustainable glass manufacturing methods or investigating alternative materials for laboratory containers, such as recyclable plastics or bio-based materials.

Global Beaker Market Opportunity

Expansion of Biosciences and Lifesciences

The biotechnology and life sciences industries, which include subjects such as genomics, proteomics, and molecular biology, rely extensively on laboratory equipment for study and experimentation. Beakers are essential as fundamental tools for sample preparation, mixing, and controlled reactions in various scientific areas. Beakers, for example, are employed in DNA extraction techniques to hold reagents, buffers, and samples as they go through the process. According to a Deloitte poll, 91% of life sciences businesses intend to increase their investment in R&D innovation by 2023. 

Similarly, the growth of biotechnology and life sciences is directly proportional to the rising need for laboratory equipment, especially beakers. As these sectors improve their research approaches and experimental techniques, the demand for precise and dependable equipment grows. Beakers are essential for various biotechnology research projects, ranging from simple biochemical assays to complicated molecular biology operations. Their adaptability and applicability for multiple applications make them necessary in laboratories dedicated to furthering our understanding of biological systems.

Moreover, manufacturers can capitalize on this potential by creating bespoke beakers tailored to the specific requirements of biotechnology and life sciences research. This could include improved chemical resistance, precise volume graduations, or connectivity with other lab equipment. Targeted marketing and interaction with the biotechnology and life sciences research communities can assist manufacturers in understanding the sector's unique requirements, allowing them to tailor their goods to specific issues researchers face.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

The global beaker market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global beaker market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period. The emergence of the healthcare industry in various Asia-Pacific countries has helped drive the beaker market's growth. As the population grows, so does the demand for healthcare services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical research. Beakers are essential in pharmaceutical research and drug development, increasing regional demand. Almost every Southeast Asian country is expanding and has significant potential and prospects for beaker producers because of the development of end-use sectors. India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are the world's fastest-developing healthcare markets, projected to considerably impact global beaker demand in the coming years. According to a WTW poll, healthcare spending in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) area is anticipated to rise by 9.9% by 2023. Also, in May 2023, the overall sales value of pharmaceutical tablets in Thailand was more than one billion Thai baht, the most among all pharmaceutical products. That year, the country's pharmaceutical tablet output volume was approximately 1.46 thousand tons.

Additionally, the Indian laboratory glassware industry has evolved and adapted to technical developments, such as contemporary techniques and automation, and is now one of the major producers of beakers. The Indian beaker market is predicted to increase significantly over the forecast period, owing to the expanding pharmaceutical sector, an increasing number of laboratories, and numerous active R&D projects. For instance, as of September 2023, Rs 25,813 crore has been invested in pharma PLI. Furthermore, the start of the Make in India program has resulted in large investments in the pharmaceutical sector, creating a significant demand for luxury laboratory equipment.

North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.0% over the forecast period. North America is expected to contribute 35% of the worldwide market's growth over the forecast period. Technavio experts have elaborated on the geographical trends and drivers affecting the market throughout the forecast period. The existence of many leading market competitors and the increasing demand for glass and plastic beakers in pharmaceutical research and disease diagnostic applications are two significant drivers driving North America's beaker market growth. The critical nations in North America contributing considerably to the market's revenue growth are the United States and Canada.

Furthermore, leading market participants in the region include Corning, DWK Life Sciences, Bellco Glass, Crystalgen, PerkinElmer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Mettler-Toledo International. These market players increasingly focus on offering certified products in terms of quality and sterility, one of the most critical needs for efficiently meeting the regulatory requirements of laboratories in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. As a result, such factors are projected to fuel market growth in North America over the forecast period.

The European beaker market is influenced by several variables, including the region's significant emphasis on R&D, a robust healthcare and pharmaceutical sector, and a well-established educational infrastructure. According to a June 2023 bulletin from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), research drives the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, which plays a vital role in economic growth. The EFPIA also claims that the pharmaceutical sector has significantly helped increase patient well-being.

However, the EFPIA's November 2023 bulletin predicts a one-third fall in Europe's share of worldwide R&D investment by 2040, from 32% to 21%. In addition, a significant overhaul of pharmaceutical legislation might reduce Europe's share in global R&D by a third, to 21%, by 2040. These factors are likely to have a direct impact on market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global beaker market is segmented based on material, construction, and end-users.

The market is further segmented by material into glass and plastic.

Glass beakers have long been used in laboratories due to their favorable features. These beakers are often made of borosilicate glass and have great chemical resistance, allowing them to tolerate exposure to a wide range of acids, bases, and solvents without degradation. Glass's transparency makes it easier to monitor reactions and measurements visually. Glass beakers are also noted for their durability and ability to endure high temperatures, making them ideal for applications that need heating or sterilizing. Their inert nature means that glass does not react with or contaminate the chemicals being handled, resulting in a dependable and uncontaminated setting for scientific experiments.

Furthermore, glass beakers are perfect for life science applications requiring autoclaving. Glass beakers are increasingly being used to prepare reagents, media, buffers, solvents, and solutions, as well as for storage, heating, sterilizing, and incubation applications, which is considerably fueling the expansion of this market. As a result, such factors are projected to fuel the expansion of this sector, hence driving market growth throughout the forecast period.

Plastic beakers, commonly composed of polypropylene or polyethylene, have become famous for various laboratory uses. These beakers are lightweight, lowering the danger of breakage, and are frequently seen as more cost-effective than their glass counterparts. Plastic beakers are especially effective in applications where the risk of glass breakage is high or portability is essential. However, they may have lower chemical resistance than Glass; therefore, use caution when interacting with certain chemicals. Plastic beakers are also known for their insulating characteristics, making them ideal for applications that need temperature-sensitive compounds. The precise requirements of the experiment and the chemicals involved frequently determine whether Glass or plastic should be used.

The market is fragmented into Low Form, Flat Form, and Tall Form based on construction.

Flat-form beakers, also known as crystallizing dishes, have a larger diameter relative to their height, resulting in a flatter shape. This shape is helpful for operations requiring a wide surface area, such as evaporation or crystallization. Flat-form beakers' broad, shallow design allows for effective liquid evaporation, making them ideal for solution concentration or crystal growth tasks. Their shape improves evaporation across a wider area, lowering the risk of spillage and ensuring consistent concentration. Flat-form beakers are commonly used in analytical chemistry, where careful control of concentration and crystallization processes is essential.

Low-shaped beakers have a shorter height compared to their diameter. These beakers are frequently used for various standard laboratory operations, such as mixing, stirring, and heating liquids. Their shape enables simple access and view of the contents, making them ideal for applications requiring regular inspection and manipulation of substances. Low-form beakers are frequently preferred for tasks that require a higher volume of liquids due to their broader base, which provides stability. They are versatile and have applications in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutical research.

The market can be bifurcated by application into contract research organizations, research and academic institutes, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and healthcare facilities.

Research and academic institutes are significant users of laboratory equipment, including beakers. Students and researchers use beakers at educational institutions and research facilities for teaching and conducting various experiments. These universities use beakers in different scientific disciplines, encouraging hands-on learning and practical experience. Beakers, whether used to demonstrate chemical reactions or perform experiments in biology and physics laboratories, significantly impact the education and research environment in academic settings.

Further, rising R&D spending is contributing substantially to the segment's growth. Beakers are widely used in academic institutes, particularly in biology and biotechnology laboratories, chemical science laboratories, cell and tissue culture laboratories, and life science and environmental science laboratories, for both research and practical education and training. As a result, such factors are projected to fuel the expansion of this sector, hence driving market growth throughout the forecast period.

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries rely significantly on laboratory equipment to facilitate research, development, and quality control. Beakers are essential to these procedures for medication formulation, chemical analysis, and quality assurance. Beakers help pharmaceutical and biotechnology businesses discover and develop new medications by assuring accurate measurements and controlled responses. Their applicability spans multiple stages of drug development, from preliminary research to production and quality testing.

Impact of covid-19

The impact of COVID-19 on the global polypropylene market and other businesses was unprecedented and staggering. The markets initially witnessed losses as well. Due to the sudden increase in the need for PPE kits and facemasks for the frontline workers, including doctors, nurses, police, the military, there was a sudden surge in demand for these essentials globally. The demand for non-woven material used in manufacturing masks and protective kits has doubled since the virus outbreak.

China and Europe are the top regions exporting PPE equipment all over the world. The rise in domestic demand has spurred higher production, which is expected to stimulate market growth further. The continuous demand for PPE kits and masks is expected to uplift the market.

Recent Developments

January 2024: BD and Techcyte announced a strategic collaboration to provide an AI-based digital cervical cytology system for pap testing.

February 2024: Thermo Fisher Scientific expanded its GMP laboratory service offerings with biosafety testing, including mycoplasma testing.