Laboratory Plasticware Market Report Scope & Overview:

The Laboratory Plasticware Market Size was valued at USD 2.27 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.24 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.55% over the forecast period of 2025-2032.

The growth of pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing activities is one key factor that has driven the global laboratory plasticware market analysis. This involves a growing need for advanced diagnostic solutions, rising drug discovery activities and increased focus on vaccine development & biologics production worldwide. The demand for high-quality and contamination-free plasticware like pipettes, petri dishes, sample containers are soaring as pharmaceuticals and biotech firms are increasingly expanding their R&D and manufacturing capacity. Additionally, an increase in the application of automation in laboratory workflows and prevailing quality regulations to ensure reliability & sterility of components made from plastic are anticipated to foster market growth. This trend is also more prominent in geographies with emerging Biopharma investments and improved clinical research infrastructure which drive the laboratory plasticware market growth.

The U.S. National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $3.7 million grant in 2024 to support alfalfa seed breeding research with a view to improve drought tolerance as well as forage digestibility needed for livestock feed systems based on plasticware-dependent sample testing and sample analysis.

Laboratory Plasticware Market Dynamics

Key Drivers:

  •   Rising Demand for High-Throughput Testing and Automation in Labs Drive the Market Growth

Modern laboratories are increasingly adopting high-throughput screening (HTS), automated liquid handling, and robotic systems to enhance testing efficiency and minimize manual errors. These technologies require compatible, precision-engineered plasticware such as microplates, deep well plates, and robotic pipette tips that can seamlessly integrate with automation platforms. The push for faster diagnostics, drug screening, and sample processing is directly fuelling demand for standardized plastic consumables.

In 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific expanded its robotic-compatible plasticware product line at its U.S. facilities in Massachusetts, in response to increased demand from biotech clients using automated workflows in drug discovery and genomics labs. This aligns with the broader U.S. focus on laboratory automation, supported by innovation grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NSF under the High-End Instrumentation (HEI) program.

Restrain:

  • Environmental Concerns and Regulatory Pressure, which may hamper the Market Growth

The widespread use of single-use plastic products in laboratories contributes significantly to medical waste and environmental burden. Rising scrutiny from environmental agencies and evolving regulations around plastic disposal are challenging market growth. Some institutions are shifting toward glassware or biodegradable alternatives, which affects demand for conventional plasticware. Disposal and incineration of contaminated plastic waste also incur high costs.

Opportunities:

  • Growth of Diagnostic Laboratories and Research Institutes Create an Opportunity for the Market

The rise in infectious disease testing, personalized medicine, and university-led R&D is expanding the number of diagnostic labs and academic research centers globally. These facilities depend on plasticware for fluid handling, cell culture, sample storage, and filtration applications. Advancements in life sciences and government-backed research programs are further fueling demand which drive the laboratory plasticware market trends.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded over USD 650 million in grants to expand national diagnostic testing infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions boosting orders for centrifuge tubes, culture flasks, and pipette tips.

Laboratory Plasticware Market Segmentation Analysis

By Product Type

Pipettes & Pipette Tips dominated the segment in 2024, accounting for around 28% of the total market. This is due to their constant usage in diagnostic labs, academic research, and pharmaceutical workflows, especially in sample handling and molecular biology protocols.

Petri Dishes are the fastest-growing product, driven by increased demand in microbiology labs for culture testing and microbial analysis. Their affordability and disposability make them essential in large-volume testing environments.

By Material Type

Polypropylene (PP) led this segment with a share of nearly 38.50% in 2024. Its popularity comes from its chemical resistance, durability, and suitability for autoclaving, making it ideal for repeat lab procedures.

Polycarbonate (PC) is expanding rapidly as the fastest-growing material type due to its optical clarity and toughness, which suits advanced research applications, especially in PCR tubes and centrifuge containers.

By End User

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies dominated the market with over 40% share in 2024. The growing scale of drug development, vaccine R&D, and biologics manufacturing has pushed up the demand for disposable and contamination-free plasticware.

Diagnostic Laboratories are the fastest-growing end user segment, fueled by rising disease detection rates, pathology lab expansion, and demand for automated plasticware compatible with modern analyzers.

By Application

Sample Storage held the largest share of approximately 32% in 2024. Labs increasingly rely on leak-proof and contamination-resistant containers for preserving biological materials, reagents, and chemicals.

Cell Culture is the fastest-growing application due to surging investments in stem cell research, cancer biology, and regenerative medicine. This area demands ultra-pure, sterile plasticware tailored for sensitive cell environments.

Laboratory Plasticware Market Regional Analysis:

Asia Pacific held the Laboratory Plasticware market share largest market 2024, around 38.07% 2024. It is due to rapid expansion in pharmaceutical manufacturing, clinical research, and academic investments across countries like China, India, South Korea, and Japan. These nations have been increasing public and private funding for life sciences and diagnostics to support their growing healthcare demands. The region also benefits from cost-effective production, large patient populations for clinical studies, and improving infrastructure in diagnostics and biotech parks.

In 2024, India’s Department of Biotechnology launched a joint initiative to fund biotech incubators with advanced lab facilities, leading to bulk procurement of laboratory consumables, especially plasticware, to support early-stage research.

The North America region is the fastest-growing market. It is due to its well-established pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, leading research universities, and high healthcare spending. Laboratories across the region rely on high-performance, disposable plasticware to maintain sterility and reduce contamination risk in molecular diagnostics, clinical testing, and drug development. The region's strict lab safety protocols and emphasis on automation further boost demand.

In 2024Thermo Fisher Scientific expanded its plastic consumables manufacturing site in Wisconsin, focusing on increasing output of pipette tips and sterile sample containers to meet rising diagnostic lab requirements.

The U.S. Laboratory Plasticware market size was USD 426 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 644 million by 2032 and grow at a CAGR of 5.29% over the forecast period of 2025-2032. It is driven by strong federal funding in biomedical research through agencies like NIH and BARDA. The country houses several top biotech firms and contract research organizations that are expanding lab capacities. There's also a shift toward automated liquid handling and cold storage applications, requiring specialized plastic labware.

Europe maintains a significant share of the Laboratory Plasticware market. It is due to its strong pharmaceutical R&D base, university-led innovation, and focus on sustainability in lab operations. While regulatory compliance is strict, the growing biotech startup scene and national health testing programs are increasing the use of sterile, single-use lab consumables. Germany, France, and the U.K. are major contributors.

In 2024, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research announced €300 million in funding to modernize public research labs and academic institutions, increasing orders for high-grade plastic labware for cell culture, molecular diagnostics, and biosample storage.

Laboratory Plasticware Market Key Players:

Major Laboratory Plasticware companies are Thermo Fisher Scientific (Nalge Nunc), Eppendorf, Wheaton Science Products, Dynalon Lab Supplies, CytoScientific, Labvida Scientific, Supertek (Shivsons / Tarsons brand), Medilab Exports / Supertek, Starlabs Glassware, Borosil, Mitsubishi Plastics, ALPLA Group, Nalgene (under Nalge Nunc), Karter Scientific Labware Manufacturing, Micron Solutions, Runlab, 3Plastics, Sanbio (B-Frame Biocomposite series), Miniplast, Kartell/Sterilin (via Dynalon distribution).

Recent Development in the Laboratory Plasticware Market:

  • In 2025, Eppendorf launched a new range of eco-friendly plastic lab consumables made from recycled and biocompatible materials under its TwinGuard Green line. The launch reflects a broader push toward sustainability in European research labs and has been adopted by several German universities and biotech firms.

  • In 2024, Kartell partnered with an Italian sustainability initiative to redesign its plastic packaging and reduce the carbon footprint of its labware shipping operations. The collaboration included a pilot project where pipette tip boxes were made from 80% recycled plastic and reused across academic laboratories in Milan.

Laboratory Plasticware Market Report Scope:

Report Attributes Details
Market Size in 2024 USD 2.27 Billion 
Market Size by 2032 USD 3.24 Billion 
CAGR CAGR of4.55% From 2025 to 2032
Base Year 2024
Forecast Period 2025-2032
Historical Data 2021-2023
Report Scope & Coverage Market Size, Segments Analysis, Competitive Landscape, Regional Analysis, DROC & SWOT Analysis, Forecast Outlook
Key Segments • By Product Type (Alfalfa, Clover, Ryegrass, Chicory, Fescue, Timothy, and Others (Bromegrass, Orchardgrass, Millet, Sorghum)
• By Livestock (Cattle, Poultry, Swine, and Others (Sheep, Goat, Horse, Rabbit)
• By Species (Legumes, Grasses, and Others (Brassicas, Herbs)
• By Application (Grazing, Hay, Silage, Green Manure, and Others (Soil Improvement, Erosion Control)
Regional Analysis/Coverage North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Poland, Russsia, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia,ASEAN Countries, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia Rest of Latin America)
Company Profiles Thermo Fisher Scientific (Nalge Nunc), Eppendorf, Wheaton Science Products, Dynalon Lab Supplies, CytoScientific, Labvida Scientific, Supertek (Shivsons / Tarsons brand), Medilab Exports / Supertek, Starlabs Glassware, Borosil, Mitsubishi Plastics, ALPLA Group, Nalgene (under Nalge Nunc), Karter Scientific Labware Manufacturing, Micron Solutions, Runlab, 3Plastics, Sanbio (B-Frame Biocomposite series), Miniplast, Kartell/Sterilin (via Dynalon distribution)