Pharmaceutical Equipment Markets Projected to See Strong Growth Through 2035
Flow chemistry, laboratory mixer, and industrial extruder markets are projected to grow significantly through 2035, driven by pharmaceutical continuous manufacturing, high R&D funding, and sustainability trends. Flow chemistry is expected to reach $12 billion, while laboratory mixers could hit $29.6 billion. Key players include Merck KGaA, BASF, and Lonza.
Multiple pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment markets are projected to experience notable growth over the next decade, driven by increasing research and development expenditures, automation trends, and the shift toward continuous manufacturing.
The global flow chemistry market was valued at $5.64 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $12 billion by 2035, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. Demand is fueled by the growing adoption of continuous manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry, which offers safer handling of hazardous reactions, precise process control, and faster optimization. The push for green chemistry and sustainable practices is also encouraging uptake, as flow chemistry generates fewer by-products and consumes less energy than batch processes. Key companies include Merck KGaA, BASF, Lonza, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Evonik Industries. North America leads the market due to its established pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, while the Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a high-growth area supported by expanding manufacturing hubs in India, China, and Southeast Asia.
The laboratory mixer market, valued at $2.5 billion in 2024, is forecast to reach $29.6 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 3.5%. Shakers accounted for a 42.3% share of the market in 2023, and research laboratories and institutes held a 58.4% share by application. North America dominated with a 47.5% revenue share in 2024, supported by significant research funding. The National Institutes of Health operates with a budget of nearly $48 billion, approximately 82% of which supports extramural research programs. U.S. research and development spending reached $937 billion in 2023 and was estimated at $993 billion in 2024, according to National Science Foundation data.
The industrial extruders market is also benefiting from pharmaceutical demand, particularly for systems capable of hot melt extrusion and other continuous drug manufacturing processes. The food and pharmaceutical sectors are driving requirements for ultra-hygienic, easy-clean designs with precise temperature control. Major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Novartis, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck & Co., are among those adopting advanced extrusion technologies.