Downstream Processing Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033

Downstream Processing Market Size

The global downstream processing market size was valued at USD 39.1 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow from USD 45.04 billion in 2025 to USD 139.6 billion by 2033, increasing at a CAGR of 15.19% during the forecast period (2025-2033)

The term "downstream processing" refers to the recovery and purification of biosynthetic goods, primarily pharmaceuticals, from natural origin like fermentation broth, plant tissues, and animal tissues. It also includes the recycling of parts that can be reused, as well as the proper handling and disposal of waste. It's a crucial step in the manufacturing of medications like hormones, vaccines (like insulin & human growth hormone), antibodies (like infliximab and abciximab), and antibiotics. It also plays a role in the creation of industrial enzymes, flavourings, and natural fragrances.

A number of processes are involved in downstream processing, including cell separation, filtering, product recovery, extraction, and purification, as well as product treatment using chemical, physical, and biological methods. Vaccines, recombinant proteins and enzymes, antibiotics, antibodies, hormones, diagnostic enzymes, industrial enzymes, and natural fragrance and flavour compounds are just a few examples of the biological and pharmaceutical products that are produced as a result of downstream processing. The main drivers of the global market demand for biopharmaceuticals include increased single-use technology acceptance in bioprocessing, expanding bioprocessing capacity, rising R&D spending in biopharmaceutical businesses, and rising biopharmaceutical market demand. For instance, the worldwide market is witnessing consistent expansion in the biopharmaceuticals sector. This means that the booming biopharmaceuticals business is driving up demand for downstream processing, which in turn is driving up market growth in the coming years.

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Downstream Processing Market Drivers

Increased Investment in Medical Research as the Biopharmaceutical Business Grows

In recent years, the biopharmaceutical business has grown at a rapid pace. Companies in the biopharmaceutical business are actively engaged in the research and development of a wide range of cutting-edge and highly effective regenerative medicines. Biopharmaceutical and life science R&D expenditures are also on the rise, which is fueling the industry's expansion. This is expected to lead to a rise in the worldwide downstream processing market. Medical and health R&D spending in the United States totaled approximately USD 194,175 million in 2021. As part of this investment, the biopharmaceutical and medical technology R&D sector, as well as companies in the health care services arena, and the federal government put in USD 43,016 million.

Between 2015 and 2021, medical and health R&D spending in the United States grew by 37 percent. Since the pharmaceutical sector is developing and medical research funding is rising, the downstream processing market is expected to grow as a result.

Single-Use Systems Aid in the Recovery of Products and Streamline Downstream Operations

As a result of single-use systems, lower production volumes, better target recovery, and longer conformation times can be achieved. In the downstream processing industry, there is a lot of buzz about membrane adsorbers and single-use chromatography columns. Due to the widespread usage of single-use filters, columns, and membrane adsorbers in research labs, it's easy to see why this is the case.

The use of spin-filters for product concentration or diafiltration, as well as other new technologies, is also making downstream operations more efficient. It's because of this that the downstream processing market is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years, Single-use solutions serve to speed up product recovery for the initial design and confirmation of the target and testing on animals in the early stages of their development.

Market Restraints

Lack of Qualified Experts in the Workforce

The industry that deals in downstream processing is quickly approaching a point when there will be a dearth of educated employees. One of the fundamental abilities necessary for those working in the downstream processing business is bioprocess engineering. An increasing number of Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) have entered the market in response to the growing demand for biosimilars. However, there is an expected shortage of skilled laborers, which will act as a barrier to the market's expansion. The organizations are expected to invest a considerable amount of time and effort into providing their employees with the appropriate skills in order for them to successfully manage the operations. In addition to this, it is projected that a high attrition rate in the bioprocessing industry will also act as a barrier to the expansion of the market.

Downstream Processing Market Opportunities

The Creation of Novel Biotherapeutics with Lower Molecular Weight

The use of both upstream and downstream processing machinery is probably driven by the development of new biotherapeutics with reduced molecular weights. These methods will probably be used more frequently in the near future for the manufacture of monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, antibody fragments, antibody drug conjugate (ADC) components, and short peptide fragments.

Demand for more adaptable and small-to-medium capacity production is projected to increase with the introduction of tailored treatments and a diverse product portfolio. Biopharmaceutical firms can make these biotherapeutics on a smaller scale, in single-use systems with capacities ranging from 100 to 500 liters rather than using massive fermenters.

Thus, the creation of novel biotherapeutics with lower molecular weight is anticipated to propel the global downstream processing market by creating profitable opportunities throughout the course of the forecast period.

Regional Insights

The Global Downstream Processing Market is segmented by geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

Because of government backing encouraging bioprocess technologies, rising medical expenditures, and developed healthcare infrastructure, North America dominated the market and accounted for the greatest revenue share of more than 35 percent in 2021. In addition, the region has seen large collaboration activities with healthcare companies that are investing heavily in the research and development of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines. These activities have taken place. In addition, the most important companies that are currently active in the market are increasing their influence in this area. For example, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. only recently made public its intention to increase the size of its clinical research facilities in the city of Richmond, Virginia, by investing $97 million.

Asia-Pacific: Fastest-Growing Region

The facilities, which include laboratory operations that were purchased with the acquisition of PPD, Inc. in December 2021, will fulfil the growing demand for consistent and increased laboratory services in the biopharma industry in order to advance drug development. As a result of increased investments in the field of biotechnology made by both developers and consumers, it is anticipated that the market will expand at the quickest rate of any region in Asia Pacific between the years 2022 and 2030. As a result of the presence of a big population base, there is a growing demand for sophisticated medical facilities. In order to meet this demand, market participants are eager to deploy rapid analytical methods that may enable in-process designing and bioprocessing.

Due to the expanding biopharmaceutical industry in China and the country's high demand for medicines and vaccines, China has dominated the regional market in the Asia Pacific area. The biopharmaceutical business in China is one of the most dynamic areas of the country's economy, and it is undergoing a constant revolution thanks to the introduction of cutting-edge biopharmaceutical equipment and procedures. For example, in April of 2021, Asahi Kasei Corporation, a supplier of solutions to the biologics production sector, expanded its activities in China by founding Asahi Kasei Bioprocess Co., Ltd. The implementation of AKBC makes the development of the firm in China simpler. This is accomplished by localising inventory management and order processing in order to reduce delivery times.

product Analysis

The Global Downstream Processing Market is segmented into Chromatography Systems, Filters, Evaporators, Centrifuges, Dryers, and Others. In 2021, the sector for chromatography systems held a commanding 42 percent revenue share of the market. Growth of the category is predicted to be fuelled by ongoing R&D efforts to increase the effectiveness and speed of chromatography systems. Thermo Fisher Scientific introduced the HyPeak chromatography system in April 2021; it is the only single-use chromatography system for bioprocessing offered by the firm and plays a vital role in the creation of therapeutic proteins and vaccines. Growth of the industry is further aided by an increase in chromatography system deals and developments. For instance, Sartorius Stedim Biotech announced in January 2021 that it had acquired the chromatography equipment business from Novasep.

This will let Sartorius create innovative chromatographic systems, which will help him solve downstream processing's efficiency problems and bottlenecks. From 2022 to 2030, the filters market is anticipated to grow at the quickest CAGR. The primary factor influencing the market for downstream processing is an increase in the utility of filters for viral inactivation. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University examined the effectiveness of Planova 20N virus filters and BioEX hollow fibre filters for the removal of viral-size particles in September 2020. This research should accelerate the use of filters for biologics' downstream processing.

technique Analysis

The Global Downstream Processing Market is segmented into Cell Disruption, Solid-liquid separation, Concentration, Purification by Chromatography, and Formulation. In 2021, the purification by chromatography market segment held a monopoly and accounted for more than 40% of total sales. Due to the fact that single-use chromatography and filtration systems are the industry benchmarks for downstream bioprocessing, businesses are pursuing business expansion tactics like acquisition, merger, and agreement to diversify their chromatography offerings. For instance, Repligen acquired Newton, New Jersey-based BioFlex Solutions in December 2021. Repligen's line of single-use fluid management products will grow and improve as a result of the acquisition, which will also streamline its supply chain. By further integrating components and assemblies, the addition of BioFlex Solutions enhances its system offering.

Danaher Corp. finalised the purchase of Aldevron in August 2021. Aldevron will operate under Danaher's Life Sciences division as a distinct operating business and brand. During the projected period, the segment for solid-liquid separation is anticipated to experience the highest CAGR. Solid-liquid separation has a number of benefits, including the fact that it is quick, affordable, and suitable for manufacturing in continuous mode. High shear forces produced are a regular challenge with this approach, though. Because of this, high cell density processes are now adopting contemporary advancements like depth filters, including multistage depth filtration, alternating tangential flow microfiltration, and tangential flow filtration systems.

application Analysis

The Global Downstream Processing Market is segmented into Antibiotic Production, Hormone Production, Antibodies Production, Enzyme Production, and Vaccine Production. In 2021, the market was dominated by the antibiotics production segment, which accounted for more than 35% of worldwide revenue. This rapid increase can be attributable to the broad range of conditions for which antibiotics are used as treatments. The annual death toll from antibiotic-resistant bacteria is above 700,000. Due to this, there is a strong demand for the creation of antibiotics, which in turn drives market expansion.

The rise in demand for monoclonal antibodies was the primary factor driving the fastest growth in antibody production. The introduction of cutting-edge products for effective antibody purification further fuels market expansion. For instance, Cytiva introduced HiScreen Fibro PrismA in January 2021 to create and purify monoclonal antibodies (mAb). The product has a fiber-based Protein A platform that boosts productivity 20 times.

List of key players in Downstream Processing Market

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
2. Merck KGaA
3. Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A
4. Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
5. Corning Corporation
6. Danaher Corporation
7. Repligen
8. GE Healthcare
9. Ashai Kasei
10. 3M Company
11. Ferner PLC
12. Lonza Group Ltd
13. Eppendorf A
14. Dover Corporation

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Recent Developments

• June 2022 - For biopharmaceutical firms seeking contract process development and GMP-compliant contract manufacturing, Asahi Kasei Medical has finalised the acquisition of Bionova Scientific, LLC, which was announced on April 19, 2022. On May 31, 2022, the acquisition was completed (US Pacific time). In the Bioprocess Division of Asahi Kasei Medical, the present CEO of Bionova Scientific, Darren Head, will continue to run the company as a business unit.
• May 2022 - Germany's Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) has announced that it has acquired approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to market its medicine Jardiance (empagliflozin) in India, for the whole spectrum of heart failure disorders regardless of ejection fraction.