Liquid Handling System Market

Market Definition

A liquid handling system is a laboratory instrument designed to precisely measure, transfer, and dispense liquid samples across a range of volumes for scientific and analytical procedures. The market includes automated, semi-automated, and manual systems, along with associated consumables and accessories. 

Key end users include pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, academic institutions, and clinical laboratories, with applications in research, diagnostic testing, and drug development processes. 

The report examines critical driving factors, industry trends, regional developments, and regulatory frameworks impacting market growth through the projection period.

Liquid Handling System Market Overview

The global liquid handling system market size was valued at USD 4,731.7 million in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 4,951.7 million in 2025 to USD 7,131.7 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.35% during the forecast period. 

The market is witnessing steady expansion, supported by the rising demand for accurate and high-throughput laboratory operations. Increasing investments in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research have led to the broader adoption of automated and semi-automated liquid handling solutions. 

These systems play a critical role in genomic, proteomic, and cell-based applications, where precision, reproducibility, and contamination control are essential.

Major companies operating in the liquid handling system industry are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Hamilton Company, Tecan Trading AG, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Eppendorf SE, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., SPT Labtech Ltd, Gilson Incorporated, Sartorius AG, Beckman Coulter, Inc., Aurora Biomed Inc., 3CR Bioscience Ltd, Endress+Hauser, and INTEGRA Biosciences AG.

The shift toward laboratory digitization and the integration of robotics are key trends driving the market. As research, clinical, and industrial laboratories aim to increase efficiency, reduce human error, and handle larger sample volumes, automated liquid handling systems are becoming essential. 

These systems improve workflow standardization, enable high-throughput processing, and support complex protocols in genomics, drug discovery, and diagnostics.

• In October 2024, BD launched robotics-compatible reagent kits in collaboration with Hamilton, integrating the BD OMICS-One XT WTA Assay with the Hamilton Microlab NGS STAR liquid handling platform. 

Key Highlights

1. The liquid handling system market size was valued at USD 4,731.7 million in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.35% from 2025 to 2032.
3. North America held a market share of 36.21% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 1,713.3 million.
4. The automated workstations segment garnered USD 2,044.6 million in revenue in 2024.
5. The automated liquid handling systems segment is expected to reach USD 4,168.5 million by 2032.
6. The drug discovery and development segment is expected to reach USD 2,625.9 million by 2032.
7. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.17% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Rising Demand for Automation in High-Throughput Screening Applications

The market is expanding due to rising demand for high-throughput screening in pharmaceutical and life sciences research. Laboratories are adopting automation to efficiently manage growing sample volumes, as. Manual processes are time-consuming and prone to error.

• In April 2025, CytoTronics launched the Neural application for its Pixel system, enabling high-throughput screening of neural activity in 96- and 384-well plates for neurological drug discovery, with integration support for robotic and liquid handling platforms.

Such developments highlight the shift toward precision-driven, scalable solutions that streamline screening workflows. Automated systems improve accuracy, reduce variability, and support faster decision-making. 

These technologies help standardize complex operations and increase productivity across research environments. As screening demands grow, the adoption of advanced liquid handling systems is expected to accelerate.

Market Challenge

Maintaining Pipetting Accuracy and Precision

A major challenge in the liquid handling system market is maintaining pipetting accuracy and precision, particularly in high-throughput and precision-sensitive applications. Inconsistent volume dispensing can lead to variability in experimental results, affecting data quality and increasing the likelihood of costly reruns. 

Manual verification processes are time-consuming and often fail to detect subtle errors during routine operation. To address this, companies are launching simple, real-time, and automated methods to routinely verify pipetting performance.

• For instance, in April 2024, Hamilton and CSEM introduced VeriPlate, an innovative quality control system for automated liquid handling workstations that combines microfluidic technology with optical image analysis to enable routine, accurate pipetting verification across global laboratory workflows.

These solutions help maintain quality control, reduce the risk of error, and minimize downtime, ensuring that automated liquid handling systems deliver consistent and reliable performance across critical workflows.

Market Trend

Integration of Multi-Platform Automation to Streamline Laboratory Workflows

The market is witnessing a growing trend toward the integration of multiple automation platforms. Laboratories are combining liquid handlers with thermal cyclers, plate readers, and robotic arms to create end-to-end workflows. 

This reduces manual touchpoints and enables continuous operation across various stages of sample preparation and analysis. Moreover, as assay complexity increases, the need for synchronized systems capable of executing diverse tasks within a unified process is becoming critical. Integrated platforms help improve throughput, reduce turnaround time, and ensure consistent data quality.

• In June 2024, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences launched the Biomek Echo One System, a high-throughput liquid handling platform that integrates the Echo 525 Acoustic Liquid Handler and Biomek i7 Hybrid Workstation. Designed for genomic workflows such as NGS library preparation and DNA assembly, the system significantly reduces workflow time and enhances flexibility, precision, and scalability in laboratory automation.

The shift toward unified automation reflects the broader industry focus on operational efficiency and scalable laboratory infrastructure.

Liquid Handling System Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Product	Automated Workstations, Dispensers, Burettes, Others
By Type	Automated Liquid Handling Systems, Manual Liquid Handling Systems
By Application	Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer and Genomics Research, Clinical Diagnostics, Others
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Product (Automated Workstations, Dispensers, Burettes, and Others): The automated workstations segment earned USD 2,044.6 million in 2024, mainly due to their widespread use in high-throughput screening and protocol standardization across research laboratories.
• By Type (Automated Liquid Handling Systems and Manual Liquid Handling Systems): The automated liquid handling systems segment held a share of 58.43% in 2024, fueled by their ability to improve accuracy, reduce manual errors, and increase workflow efficiency.
• By Application (Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer and Genomics Research, Clinical Diagnostics, and Others): The drug discovery and development segment is projected to reach USD 2,625.9 million by 2032, owing to the growing demand for faster compound screening and precision in preclinical research.

Liquid Handling System Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The North America liquid handling system market accounted for a substantial share of 36.21% in 2024, valued at USD 1,713.3 million. This dominance is primarily attributed to the region's well-established laboratory infrastructure and early adoption of advanced automation technologies in both academic institutions and commercial research settings. 

Moreover, the regional market benefits from the strong presence of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and consistently high R&D spending in the U.S., further supports this lead.

• In May 2025, Siemens Healthineers invested USD 150 million to expand its U.S. operations, including relocating Varian manufacturing to Palo Alto, opening supply depots in New Jersey and California, and establishing an Experience Center in Charlotte to support healthcare digitization and strengthen supply chain efficiency.

These developments underscore the region’s commitment to enhancing operational capacity, supply chain efficiency, and digital transformation in healthcare. 

Additionally, the presence of key industry players and contract research organizations (CROs) supports the growing demand for high-precision liquid handling systems across research, drug development, and diagnostic workflows.

The Asia-Pacific liquid handling system industy is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 6.17% over the forecast period. This growth is supported by the rapid expansion of biopharmaceutical manufacturing hubs in countries such as China, India, and South Korea.

• In June 2025, WuXi Biologics began construction of a new commercial biomanufacturing facility in Chengdu, China, to support large-scale biologics production.

The expansion of biopharmaceutical manufacturing highlights the need for high-throughput and precision-based liquid handling systems to support large-scale sample preparation, formulation, and quality control processes. 

Furthermore, increasing clinical trial activity, growing investment in translational research, and the rising number of public-private research collaborations are fueling demand for liquid handling systems, aiding regional market expansion.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees liquid handling systems used in medical device manufacturing and drug development. The FDA regulates the safety, efficacy, and security of these systems, ensuring they meet specific standards and guidelines.
• In Japan, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), regulates pharmaceuticals and medical devices to ensure their safety, efficacy, and quality.

Competitive Landscape

The liquid handling system market is characterized by ongoing advancements in automation, system integration, and workflow efficiency. 

Market participants are strategically broadening their product offerings through the introduction of AI-enabled platforms that incorporate standardized workflows, advanced analytical capabilities, and scalable system architectures to address the evolving requirements of modern laboratory environments. 

Increasing emphasis is placed on intelligent automation to improve operational accuracy, support real-time data-driven decisions, and ensure adherence to regulatory standards in controlled settings.

• For instance, in January 2025, Tecan introduced Veya, a liquid handling platform featuring AI-enhanced automation, prebuilt workflows, and real-time analytics. Designed to streamline multiomics workflows and support regulatory compliance, the platform offers high-precision pipetting, live monitoring, and scalable automation to improve operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making across laboratories of all sizes.

This launch reflects the industry’s broader shift toward intelligent, user-friendly systems that enable greater efficiency, accuracy, and adaptability in liquid handling operations. 

Additionally, companies are expanding their geographic presence in high-growth regions by setting up localized manufacturing units, service infrastructure, and distribution channels to improve market accessibility and operational responsiveness.

List of Key Companies in Liquid Handling System Market:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Hamilton Company
• Tecan Trading AG
• Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Danaher Corporation
• Eppendorf SE
• Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
• SPT Labtech Ltd
• Gilson Incorporated
• Sartorius AG
• Beckman Coulter, Inc.
• Aurora Biomed Inc.
• 3CR Bioscience Ltd
• Endress+Hauser
• INTEGRA Biosciences AG

Recent Developments (Product Launches)

• In May 2025, MGI launched the PrepALL platform, a compact liquid handling system equipped with Smart 8 technology for precise liquid transfer. The system supports applications such as nucleic acid extraction, sample preparation, and NGS library construction, offering scalability, automation, and open API integration for diverse laboratory needs.
• In March 2025, Technobis launched DoseALL, a fully automated liquid dosing module designed to support chemical synthesis R&D. Featuring five independently controlled syringes and seamless integration with the ReactALL reactor system, DoseALL enables precise reagent dispensing and autonomous experiment execution, helping laboratories improve reproducibility and accelerate process development.