The Laboratory Benchtop Automation Market is forecast to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2035, rising from an estimated USD 1.5 billion in 2025. Between 2025 and 2035, the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.8%.
Growth is being shaped by increasing automation needs in pharmaceutical research, genomics, and clinical diagnostics. Compact benchtop systems are being adopted to automate pipetting, liquid handling, and sample preparation tasks while conserving lab space.
The need for higher throughput and reproducibility in molecular biology workflows has accelerated investment. In January 2025, Opentrons announced the launch of its Flex High-Throughput NGS Workstation. The company confirmed the system was “designed to deliver hands-free genomics workflows at a fraction of the cost of legacy platforms,” making it suitable for decentralized laboratories and academic centers, as reported by BusinessWire.
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Estimated Size, 2025 | USD 1.5 billion |
| Projected Size, 2035 | USD 2.4 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.8% |
LabManager also reported in 2024 that Spectrum Chemical introduced a full line of benchtop automation equipment targeting chemistry and life sciences labs. These systems were noted for their modular design and ease of integration, catering to growing demand for flexibility in lab process automation. The emphasis was placed on providing scalable automation to support research continuity and standardization.
Sample preparation continues to be a major focus area. QIAGEN announced plans in 2025 to roll out three new sample prep instruments by 2026, aimed at enhancing laboratory automation and improving throughput in clinical and research environments. The company stated that “our new instruments will enable cost-effective molecular testing in compact lab spaces,” reinforcing its commitment to laboratory digitalization and workflow simplification.
Benchtop automation is also being driven by the growing workload in infectious disease diagnostics and personalized medicine. The adoption of scalable, entry-level systems is enabling smaller labs to transition from manual to automated methods. Integrated data capture, remote monitoring, and touchscreen interfaces are becoming standard features across new offerings.
As regulatory scrutiny around reproducibility and documentation tightens, benchtop automation tools are playing a central role in ensuring compliance and operational efficiency across modern laboratories.
The table below presents the annual growth rates of the global laboratory benchtop automation industry from 2025 to 2035. With a base year of 2024 extending to the current year 2025, the report examines how the sector's growth trajectory evolves from the first half of the year (January to June, H1) to the second half (July to December, H2). This analysis offers stakeholders insights into the industry's performance over time, highlighting potential developments that may emerge.
These figures indicate the growth of the sector in each half year, between the years 2024 and 2025. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% in H1-2024. In H2, the growth rate increases.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 2024 | 4.5% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 2024 | 4.8% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 2025 | 4.7% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 2025 | 5.2% (2025 to 2035) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2025 to H2 2025, the CAGR is projected to slightly decrease to 4.7% in the first half and relatively increase to 5.2% in the second half. In the first half (H1), the sector saw an increase of 20 BPS while in the second half (H2), there was a slight increase of 40 BPS.
Automated liquid handling & dispensing benchtop equipment is projected to lead the global laboratory automation market, accounting for approximately 36% of the total market revenue in 2025. The segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2025 to 2035, exceeding the global market average of 4.8%.
These systems are essential for ensuring precision, repeatability, and throughput in workflows such as PCR setup, reagent dispensing, and serial dilution-especially in high-volume clinical and drug discovery labs.
The increasing focus on eliminating human error, reducing sample contamination, and improving lab productivity is driving adoption across pharmaceutical R&D centers and clinical diagnostic laboratories. Integration with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) and compatibility with microplates, test tubes, and lab-on-chip formats are making benchtop liquid handling platforms more versatile. Moreover, as molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine continue to expand, demand for scalable, programmable liquid handlers is expected to rise steadily.
Robotics systems are expected to be the fastest-growing product category, with an estimated CAGR of 5.3% through 2035, driven by the shift toward end-to-end laboratory automation. These systems are being adopted for sample transport, plate handling, incubation, and analytical processes in integrated lab environments.
Large pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms are investing in robotic platforms to accelerate drug discovery pipelines and reduce manual intervention in repetitive tasks. High-throughput screening, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and compound management are key areas where robotic systems are gaining traction. Additionally, robotics is enabling 24/7 operational capability and improved biosafety in infectious disease testing labs and vaccine production facilities.
Lab Automation Transforming Pharmaceutical Research and Development
Medical and pharmaceuticals research and development automation's growth powers the total change of laboratory operations overall, and it really matters in both research and clinical testing. The traditional manual work, that required extended time and was labor-intensive, is substituted by automated systems.
These systems not only speed up the process but also have the potential to process enormous amount of data with higher precision. Key automation tools include liquid handlers, plate readers, and sample analyzers have become standard in high-throughput and clinical laboratories.
These tools automate tasks such as liquid handling, mixing, and analysing, which were previously done by people, often inefficiently and incurred high cost. Laboratories can get faster and more reliable results, while minimizing human error and improving data quality by automating these processes.
In drug discovery, for instance, Pfizer has implemented the laboratory automation system to speed up the compound screening process. Through automation, researchers can screen several samples in a shorter period of time when compared to manual methods.
The ability to screen a great high volume of data rapidly becomes significant in the pharmaceutical industry, which is quite competitive, where quick time-to-market forms one of the key growth strategy. As automation technologies get better, more and more labs are anticipated to use them. This shift is not only making the productivity be higher than ever but it is also laying the groundwork for refined works in the future in fields such as genomics, molecular biology, and endocrinology.
Role of AI in Modernization of Laboratory Benchtop Automation
The adoption of laboratory benchtop automation is primarily driven by technological innovations. As lab requirements become more complex and the volume of testing increases, automation systems are being designed to meet these growing demands. The implementation of automation with advances in information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning enhances the capabilities of benchtop systems. These technologies enable laboratories to perform more complex analyses, improve decision-making, and predict outcomes with accuracy and precision.
For instance, Agilent Technologies offers the BenchCel Microplate Handler, an automated system designed for use in high-output applications, such as ELISA testing. The system combines robotics with highly advanced imaging analysis and data processing to attain higher reproducibility, reduce human error, and increase throughput.
Such systems improve functioning of laboratories where reproducibility of results and precision is of prime importance. Likewise, integration of cloud-based platform functionality with automation systems is making laboratory data more flexible and accessible. This makes it possible for laboratory teams to access their real-time statistics remotely, thus promoting collaboration and faster and enabling timely informed decisions.
In molecular diagnostics, the automation technologies utilize machine-learning algorithms to allow sampling of patients to move more quickly, deliver predictive analytics, and provide personal treatment recommendations. These technological advancements will improve the quality and speed of testing, enabling time-saving and enhance reliability of diagnosis and treatment among patients. These technologies with the use of AI will drive its adoption in laboratories and will drive growth in the market.
Challenges Faced by market such as high initial costs, complex integration with existing workflows
The laboratory benchtop automation market is also plagued by several challenges, such as the high initial cost of automation systems, complexity in integration with existing workflows, and the need for user training. Advanced benchtop automation systems are expensive and may be out of reach for smaller laboratories or those with limited budgets, not to mention the added costs of maintenance and upgrades.
The integration of such systems in an existing laboratory workflow can be very challenging due to the proper planning and coordination required to match up with other equipment and processes. Specialized training to run and maintain benchtop automation systems would be crucial to ensure its high efficiency and reliability, but would require long hours and much more time and resource investment.
Manufacturers are targeting these challenges through more affordable and scalable automation solutions, comprehensive training programs, and technical support for the successful implementation and long-term use of such systems.
The market for laboratory benchtop automation globally expanded at a steady rate of around 4.8% per year between 2020 and 2024. It stood at USD 1,444.3 million in the year 2024 compared with USD 1,198.5 million in the year 2020.
The growth was less than impressive given the period; this may be due to maturity in the markets, gradual implementation of automation technologies, and continued companies' efforts to restructure their operations and eliminate redundant operational costs. During this period, many laboratories directed efforts toward betterment of what existed rather than heavy investment on new technologies.
The forecast period of 2025 to 2035 indicates a promising growth trajectory, which is supported by the following major factors. An increase in demand for healthcare is bolstered by greater healthcare investments, higher disease prevalence, and changing technologies in the diagnostic sector.
Governments, as well as healthcare providers, are focusing on automation to facilitate accelerated and efficient testing processes with minimum error. Innovations such as AI and robotics in the field of laboratory automation will fuel growth in this market. It is thus that during the estimated period, demand for laboratory benchtop automation systems is likely to grow substantially with an increase in market value and demand.
Tier 1 companies include industry leaders with annual revenues exceeding USD 50 million. These companies are currently capturing a significant share of 30-35% globally. These frontrunners are characterized by high production capacity and a wide product portfolio.
These companies stand out due to their extensive expertise in manufacturing and broad geographical reach, supported by a robust consumer base. They offer a wide range of products and leverage the latest technology to meet regulatory standards. Prominent companies within Tier 1 include Agilent Technologies, Inc., Danaher Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, PerkinElmer, Inc. and QIAGEN GmbH.
Tier 2 and others encompasses most of the small-scale enterprises operating within the regional sphere and catering to specialized needs with revenues below USD 50 million. These businesses are notably focused on meeting local demand and are hence categorized within the Tier 2 and others segment. They are small-scale participants with limited geographical presence.
The section below highlights assessments of laboratory benchtop automation sale across key countries. USA, China and India are expected to showcase promising growth, with each exhibiting a strong CAGR through the forecast period.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 4.8% |
| Canada | 7.2% |
| China | 6.5% |
| India | 7.4% |
| Japan | 7.1% |
| UK | 7.5% |
North America, dominated by the USA, is expected to capture 21.6% of the global laboratory benchtop automation market share by 2025, with a robust CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. The growth is primarily driven by increasing demand for automation solutions across healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, including hospitals and diagnostic centers.
Automation improves the operational efficiency of drug discovery, speeds up the results of tests, and increases accuracy in clinical testing and research. With advancements in diagnostics and chronic diseases on the rise, the benchtop automation market is likely to continue its expansion.
The USA market is likely to reach a value of about USD 432.3 million by 2035. Investments in healthcare infrastructure and the rising expenditure on healthcare, which comprised 17.6% of the USA GDP in 2023, are supporting growth. With an increase in the adoption of precision medicine and personalized healthcare, demand for efficient and reliable lab automation systems to process complex testing is expected to push the market even further.
There is an immense potential for China to lead in Laboratory Benchtop Automation as this market is expected to account for around 65% of the East Asia market by 2025. This is substantially fueled because the country has made huge investments in expansive healthcare infrastructure, promoting faster adoption of automation technologies.
This, coupled with the recovery of China's health care sector since it eased its stringent COVID-19 restrictions, has led to increased demand for efficient diagnostic and research systems, hence driving laboratory automation solutions adoption.
This growth in market is further being accelerated by increased focus on improving the accuracy of diagnosis and enhancing productivity in laboratories. Innovations in medical technology, coupled with government reforms, are providing a conducive environment for laboratory automation, especially in clinical and drug discovery settings. The growth of China's middle class and its health care spending is further creating a buoyant demand for laboratory benchtop automation systems in the region.
The India laboratory benchtop automation market is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2035. It is estimated to reach a value of more than USD 177.9 million at the end of the forecast period. The growth in the market is influenced by increasing healthcare expenditure from the government.
The Indian government is allocating 2.6% of GDP for health care in FY 2023, and this amount is expected to reduce marginally to 2.5% in 2025. Such an expenditure is creating healthcare infrastructure growth, which demands efficient and automated diagnostic systems.
The increasing incidence of diseases, in addition to progress in diagnostics and research, further emphasizes the growth of the market. In order to provide better healthcare services, the laboratory testing processes need to be automated and offer higher speed and accuracy. Moreover, the increased focus on precision diagnostics in hospitals and diagnostic centres boosts the demand for laboratory benchtop automation systems.
The key players involved in the production of laboratory benchtop automation are enhancing their capacity and resources to meet the increasing demand across applications. It includes investments in modern technologies, expansion of services, and optimizing operational efficiencies. With an increase in the resource base, the companies can offer quality and reliable services that respond to the changing needs of the clients and stay ahead in the market competition.
Most leading companies forge strategic partnerships and joint ventures to co-develop innovative new products and solutions. This can lead to significant sector and technological innovation through the leveraging of their expertise and resources. It enables companies to diversify their product portfolios, enter new industries, and address the specific requirements presented by various end-use industries in different fields.
Major players have been seeking geographic expansion as a means for capturing new growth opportunities. Examples include entering into new customer bases and increasing its footprint in existing ones. Upon spreading footprints across geographical regions, companies are able to reach new customer bases, diversify revenue streams, and avoid market risk saturation.
Industry Updates
In terms of product type, the industry is divided into automated liquid handling & dispensing benchtop equipment, sample storage and handling equipment, robotics systems and system accessories.
In terms of application, the industry is divided into drug discovery, genomics, proteomics, clinical diagnostics and bioprocessing.
In terms of end use, the industry is divided into apartments and condominiums, townhouses and villas.
Key regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, and Middle East & Africa have been covered in the report.
The global market was valued at USD 1,444.3 million in 2024.
The global market is set to reach USD 1.5 billion in 2025.
Global demand is anticipated to rise at 4.8% CAGR.
The industry is projected to reach USD 2.4 billion by 2035.
Agilent Technologies, Inc., Danaher Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, PerkinElmer, Inc. and QIAGEN GmbHare prominent companies.
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Laboratory Benchtop Automation Market
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