The microplate reader market in Europe was valued at approximately USD 154.66 million in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 223.72 million by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2031.
These devices can process up to 3,456 samples in just a few minutes, significantly reducing operational time and minimizing reagent costs. This efficiency allows researchers to dedicate more time to data analysis and deriving actionable insights, making microplate readers indispensable for various biological and chemical assays. Key players in the market, such as Agilent Technologies, Inc., Molecular Devices, LLC, and BMG LABTECH, are providing innovative microplate readers tailored for HTS and drug discovery applications. For instance, BMG LABTECH has developed advanced detection technologies like NanoBRET and TR-FRET, which are utilized in high-throughput drug screening.
In August 2023, Lonza introduced the Nebula Absorbance Reader, designed to enhance endotoxin and pyrogen testing. This new reader serves as a high-performance alternative, delivering results comparable to those obtained with Lonza’s Nebula Multimode Reader. It is specifically designed to work seamlessly with Lonza's reagents and meets the specifications for their endotoxin assays, including the PYROGENT 5000 and Kinetic-QCL assays, while also supporting readouts for monocyte activation tests such as the PyroCell MAT System.
In Germany, the market is particularly influenced by new drug development initiatives and extensive research and development activities. Manufacturers of microplate readers in Germany are focusing on product promotion and awareness strategies. Additionally, the expansion of business operations among market players is anticipated to boost clinical research in the country. For example, in November 2020, Parexel formed a strategic partnership with the Early Phase Clinical Unit (EPCU) Germany and the Clinical Trial Center (CTC) North, aimed at enhancing clinical research capabilities in Germany. The pharmaceutical sector in Germany is experiencing significant growth due to substantial investments and a rising demand for new drugs. Notably, in April 2024, Merck KGaA announced an investment exceeding USD 320.8 million in a new Life Science Research Center at its global headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. Such investments are expected to facilitate drug discoveries, thereby creating opportunities for the growth of the microplate reader market in Germany during the forecast period.
Growth Drivers in Biopharmaceutical Research
Microplate readers are essential laboratory instruments that measure various chemical, biological, or physical reactions occurring within the wells of microplates. They detect optical signals produced by these reactions, enabling the quantification of specific analytes in samples. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors heavily rely on a range of instruments, particularly in high-throughput screening (HTS) and drug discovery processes, where microplate-based assays allow for the assessment of numerous samples simultaneously.These devices can process up to 3,456 samples in just a few minutes, significantly reducing operational time and minimizing reagent costs. This efficiency allows researchers to dedicate more time to data analysis and deriving actionable insights, making microplate readers indispensable for various biological and chemical assays. Key players in the market, such as Agilent Technologies, Inc., Molecular Devices, LLC, and BMG LABTECH, are providing innovative microplate readers tailored for HTS and drug discovery applications. For instance, BMG LABTECH has developed advanced detection technologies like NanoBRET and TR-FRET, which are utilized in high-throughput drug screening.
In August 2023, Lonza introduced the Nebula Absorbance Reader, designed to enhance endotoxin and pyrogen testing. This new reader serves as a high-performance alternative, delivering results comparable to those obtained with Lonza’s Nebula Multimode Reader. It is specifically designed to work seamlessly with Lonza's reagents and meets the specifications for their endotoxin assays, including the PYROGENT 5000 and Kinetic-QCL assays, while also supporting readouts for monocyte activation tests such as the PyroCell MAT System.
Overview of the European Microplate Reader Market
The European microplate reader market is segmented into several countries, including Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and the Rest of Europe. Europe holds a significant position in the global microplate reader market, with expectations of robust growth driven by both government and private funding for research in biologics and pharmaceuticals, as well as the introduction of innovative technologies.In Germany, the market is particularly influenced by new drug development initiatives and extensive research and development activities. Manufacturers of microplate readers in Germany are focusing on product promotion and awareness strategies. Additionally, the expansion of business operations among market players is anticipated to boost clinical research in the country. For example, in November 2020, Parexel formed a strategic partnership with the Early Phase Clinical Unit (EPCU) Germany and the Clinical Trial Center (CTC) North, aimed at enhancing clinical research capabilities in Germany. The pharmaceutical sector in Germany is experiencing significant growth due to substantial investments and a rising demand for new drugs. Notably, in April 2024, Merck KGaA announced an investment exceeding USD 320.8 million in a new Life Science Research Center at its global headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. Such investments are expected to facilitate drug discoveries, thereby creating opportunities for the growth of the microplate reader market in Germany during the forecast period.
Market Segmentation Analysis
The European microplate reader market is categorized based on type, application, end user, and country.- By Type: The market is divided into single-mode and multi-mode microplate readers. In 2023, single-mode microplate readers held a larger market share. This segment is further divided into absorbance, fluorescence, and luminescence plate readers. The multi-mode microplate readers segment includes filter-based, monochromator-based, and hybrid readers.
- By Application: The market is segmented into drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, genomics and proteomics research, among others. The drug discovery segment accounted for the largest market share in 2023.
- By End User: The market is categorized into biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, hospital and diagnostic laboratories, and research and academic institutions. The biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies segment dominated the market share in 2023.
- By Country: The market is segmented into Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and the Rest of Europe, with Germany leading the market share in 2023.
Key Players in the Market
Prominent companies operating in the European microplate reader market include Hercuvan Lab Systems, Molecular Devices LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., BMG LABTECH, Promega Corp, Revvity Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Tecan Trading AG, Lonza Group AG, and Agilent Technologies Inc. These companies are at the forefront of innovation in microplate reader technology, contributing to the market's growth and development.Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Executive Summary
3. Research Methodology
4. Europe Microplate Reader Market - Key Market Dynamics
5. Microplate Reader Market - Europe Analysis
6. Europe Microplate Reader Market Analysis - by Type
7. Europe Microplate Reader Market Analysis - by Application
8. Europe Microplate Reader Market Analysis - by End User
9. Europe Microplate Reader Market - Country Analysis
10. Microplate Reader Market - Industry Landscape
11. Company Profiles
12. Appendix
List of Tables
List of Figures
Companies Mentioned
- Hercuvan Lab Systems
- Molecular Devices, LLC.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc
- BMG LABTECH
- Promega Corp
- Revvity Inc
- Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc
- Tecan Trading AG
- Lonza Group AG
- Agilent Technologies Inc
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 152 |
| Published | July 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2023 - 2031 |
| Estimated Market Value in 2023 | 154.66 Million |
| Forecasted Market Value by 2031 | 223.72 Million |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 4.7% |
| Regions Covered | Europe |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 10 |
