Downstream Processing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Chromatography Systems, Filters), By Technique (Purification, Formulation), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Market Size & Trends

The global downstream processing market size was estimated at USD 30.96 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.84% from 2023 to 2030. A rise in the utilization of downstream processing techniques for the development of COVID-19 vaccines is a significant factor driving the market. In March 2022, Rentschler Biopharma and Vetter released the launch of Xpert Alliance, a collaborative representation of their strategic relationship. The visualization is intended to "bring to life" this continuing collaboration and highlight its successful operation in offering effective solutions to customers' evolving and growing demands in the field of challenging biopharmaceuticals.

Further, in April 2022, Bayer revealed that it is considering a collaboration wherein Ginkgo Bioworks will purchase Bayer's West Sacramento Biologics R&D location as well as its internal discovery and lead optimization platform. The deal will allow Bayer to improve its leadership position in biologicals, gain access to critical supporting technologies in synthetic biology, and preserve Bayer's position as the preferred biologics research, development, and commercial partner.

In January 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that it supported 250 projects for COVID-19 therapy as well as vaccine production in 2020. The company leverages its CDMO capabilities as well as its bioprocess consumables and equipment offerings for these projects. It has also partnered with Singapore and the U.S. government to expand its vaccine and therapy development capacities. Similar efforts have been made by EMD Millipore, Cytiva, Pall Biotech, and other companies to use their bioprocess offerings for COVID-19 therapeutics development.

A rise in R&D activities pertaining to advanced bioprocess technologies has resulted in the adoption of continuous downstream processing systems for multicomponent separations, perfusion chromatography systems, high-throughput process development, and high-resolution membrane systems. This has led to an increase in the need for improving bioprocessing technologies for addressing the purification bottleneck.

The number of CMOs in the market for downstream processing has increased as outsourcing helps pharmaceutical manufacturers reduce the high initial capital investment and procedure costs. CMOs help drug manufacturers in optimizing downstream purification, in addition to other processes such as cell culture preparation, chromatography, mixing, concentration, process monitoring, and disposable technologies.

Products Insights

The chromatography systems segment dominated the market for downstream processing and accounted for the largest revenue share of 41.29% in 2022. Continuous R&D to improve the efficiency and speed of chromatography systems is anticipated to propel the segment growth. In April 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific launched the HyPeak chromatography system, its company's only single-use chromatography system for bioprocessing, with significant functions in therapeutic protein as well as vaccine development. A rise in the deals and developments pertaining to chromatography systems also facilitates segment growth. For instance, in January 2021, Sartorius Stedim Biotech announced acquiring the chromatography equipment business from Novasep. This will assist Sartorius to develop novel chromatography systems which in turn will overcome efficiency issues and bottlenecks in downstream processing.

The filters segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 16.10% from 2023 to 2030. The rise in the utility of filters for viral inactivation is the key factor driving this market for downstream processing. In September 2020, a team of researchers from Pennsylvania State University analyzed the efficiency of BioEX hollow fiber and Planova 20N virus filters for the removal of viral-size particles. Such studies are anticipated to increase the adoption rate of filters for downstream processing of biologics.

Technique Insights

The purification by chromatography segment dominated the downstream processing market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 40.98% in 2022. Single-use chromatography and filtration systems are considered the gold standards in downstream bioprocessing, hence companies are engaging in business development strategies such as acquisition, merger, and agreement for expanding their chromatography portfolio. For instance, in December 2021, Repligen bought Newton, New Jersey-based BioFlex Solutions. The purchase adds to and enhances Repligen's single-use fluid management product line, as well as simplifies its supply chain. The integration of BioFlex Solutions strengthens its system offering by further integrating components and assemblies. Similarly, In August 2021, Danaher Corporation has completed the acquisition of Aldevron. Aldevron will function as a separate operational business and brand inside Danaher's Life Sciences sector.

Solid-liquid separation is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 16.03% from 2023 to 2030. There are several advantages of solid-liquid separation such as it is simple, cost-effective, and well suited for continuous mode manufacturing. However, high shear forces generated is a common hurdle with this technique. Therefore, to cope up with such problems, recent developments such as depth filters include multistage depth filtration, alternating tangential flow microfiltration, and tangential flow filtration methods are increasingly adopted for high cell density processes.

Application Insights

The antibiotic production segment dominated the market for downstream processing and generated the largest revenue share of 32.48% in 2022 owing to the wide applications of antibiotics for the treatment of several disorders. More than 700,000 people die of antibiotic-resistant bacteria annually. This leads to high demand for the development of antibiotics which, in turn, propels the market growth.

Antibodies production is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 15.62% by 2030 owing to the rise in demand for monoclonal antibodies. The launch of novel products for efficient purification of antibodies also propels segment growth. For instance, in January 2021, Cytiva launched HiScreen Fibro PrismA for process development and purification of monoclonal antibody (mAb). The product features a fiber-based Protein A platform which enables a 20-fold increase in productivity.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market for downstream processing with the largest revenue share of 34.57% in 2022 owing to government support for promoting bioprocess technologies, rising medical expenditure, and developed healthcare infrastructure. In addition, the region has witnessed major collaborative activities with healthcare giants that are extensively investing in the R&D of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines. In addition, key players operating in the market for downstream processing are expanding their foothold in this region. For instance, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. recently announced a USD 97 million investment to extend its clinical research facilities in Richmond, Virginia. The facilities, which comprise laboratory operations obtained with the acquisition of PPD, Inc. in December 2021, will meet the growing need for consistent, greater laboratory services in biopharma to advance drug development.

In the Asia Pacific, the market for downstream processing is expected to register the highest growth rate of 15.67% during 2023-2030 due to the rising investments by developers and consumers in the field of biotechnology. The presence of a large population base is driving the need for advanced medical facilities for which players are keen on implementing rapid analytical methods to support in-process designing and bioprocessing. China dominated the market share in the Asia Pacific owing to the growing biopharmaceutical industry and increasing demand for medicines and vaccines. The biopharmaceutical industry is amongst the most active economic sectors in China and is marked by continuous revolution with modern biopharmaceutical equipment and process. For instance, in April 2021, Asahi Kasei Corporation, a solution supplier to the biologics manufacturing sector, extended its operations in China with the establishment of Asahi Kasei Bioprocess Co., Ltd. By localizing inventory management and order processing for faster delivery periods, the introduction of AKBC facilitates company development in China.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Companies are increasingly focusing on the development of new products for downstream processing. For instance, in February 2022, Sartorius completed its purchase of Novasep's chromatography section. The portfolio bought includes chromatography systems designed largely for smaller biomolecules like peptides, oligonucleotides, and insulin, as well as new technologies for biologics' continuous production. Furthermore, in January 2023, the company collaborated with RoosterBio Inc. to enhance its downstream purification processes for exosome-based therapies. Some of the prominent players in the downstream processing market include:

• Merck KGaA

• Sartorius Stedim Biotech S.A

• GE Healthcare

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

• Danaher Corporation

• Repligen

• 3M Company

• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH

• Corning Corporation

• Lonza Group Ltd

• Dover Corporation

• Ashai Kasei

• Ferner PLC

• Eppendorf AG

Downstream Processing Market Report Scope

Global Downstream Processing Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global downstream processing market report on the basis of product, technique, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Chromatography Systems

  • Filters

  • Evaporators

  • Centrifuges

  • Dryers

  • Others

• Technique Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Cell Disruption

  • Solid-liquid separation

    • Filtration

    • Centrifugation

  • Concentration

    • Evaporation

    • Membrane filtration

  • Purification by Chromatography

  • Formulation

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Antibiotic Production

  • Hormone Production

  • Antibodies Production

  • Enzyme Production

  • Vaccine Production

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Thailand

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait