A centrifuge is laboratory equipment used to separate fluids, either gas or liquid, depending on their density. Separation is accomplished by rapidly rotating a vessel holding material; centrifugal force forces heavier elements to the exterior of the vessel. This device is used to purify cells, subcellular organelles, viruses, proteins, and nucleic acids in most laboratories, from academic to clinical to research studies. Centrifuges are classified into several categories based on their intended function or rotor design. There are several different types of centrifuges accessible to researchers, ranging from enormous floor models to micro-centrifuges. These centrifuges are useful in various clinical researches. Centrifuge models differ from one another owing to a range of features that give the user flexibility. For instance, swinging bucket rotors have a full route length, spin slowly, and, more importantly, the tube changes angle while the machine is running. It is used for cell harvesting and culture processing.
Segments of the Market
The laboratory centrifuge market is segmented by product type, application, and end-users. By product type, the market is segmented into devices, microcentrifuge, multipurpose centrifuge, ultracentrifuge, and accessories. Based on application, the market is segmented into diagnostics, microbiology, genomics, proteomics, blood component separation, and others. Further, the end-user market is segmented into hospitals, academic and research institutes, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.
Market Drivers and Industry Demand
According to OMR Research, the global laboratory centrifuge market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period (2023-2029). The increasing use of molecular diagnostics in hospitals, improvements in benchtop centrifuge technology, and an increase in the incidence and prevalence of chronic illnesses like cancer are the main drivers driving the worldwide laboratory centrifuge market. Centrifuges are essential for using blood tests to diagnose cancer, which is a must for doctors when treating cancer patients. Centrifuges are used in laboratories to separate plasma from red blood cells. Using high- and ultra-high-speed centrifuges, exosomes or microvesicles may be further separated. Hence, the growing number of cancer patients across the globe will increase the demand for centrifuges as well. According to Cancer Data and Statistics, there were 1,752,735 new cancer cases registered in the US alone in 2019. Furthermore, one in every five men and one in every six women in the world acquire cancer throughout their lifetime, according to the WHO.
Moreover, another element driving market expansion is innovation. The advancement of laboratory centrifuges focuses on enhancing compactness, safety, convenience, speed, efficiency, and accuracy. High-speed centrifuges have significantly decreased the time required for centrifugation. For instance, in April 2021, Eppendorf, a leading life science business, launched Centrifuge 5910 Ri, a centrifuge designed to improve laboratory efficiency. Eppendorf now provides sophisticated capabilities to scientists in order to simplify and speed the centrifugation processes in their workflow. A unique touchscreen interface allows for rapid parameter selection, while three layers of user administration and additional documentation options improve security and traceability. The additional connection to the new VisioNize® Digital Lab Suite allows for remote device monitoring, alarm and event notification, and easy access to key documents such as certifications and operating manuals.
Furthermore, centrifuge rotors were previously manufactured from tensile steel before being replaced with aluminum and titanium alloys. Carbon fiber rotors are also substantially lighter than their aluminum equivalents. Carbon fiber improves rotor flexibility and resistance to chemical corrosion and structural fatigue. The increasing use of such materials to make rotors is further driving market growth. Increasing R&D investments will also contribute to market expansion. However, due to the high cost of centrifuges, the market may still encounter certain constraints.
Recent Developments
The key companies in the laboratory centrifuge market include Agilent Technologies, Inc., Andreas Hettich GmbH & Co. KG, Beckman Coulter Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Biosan Laboratories, Inc., Centurion Scientific Ltd., Cole-Parmer Instrument Company, LLC, Drucker Diagnostics, LLC, Eppendorf AG, Froilabo, HERMLE Labortechnik GmbH, and others. These companies are contributing to the market’s growth through various mergers and acquisitions, new product launches, and collaborations. Some of the recent developments in the market include-
• In February 2022, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences introduced the Allegra V-15R refrigerated centrifuge, a flexible 3-liter benchtop centrifuge. With 10 rotor configurations and 50 programmed runs, as well as a large assortment of adapters, a wide range of processes and applications are possible, from blood and cell isolation to high-throughput screening.
• In November 2021, Indstrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB), a Brazilian fuel cycle corporation, installed the ninth cascade of centrifuges at its Uranium Isotopic Enrichment Plant, which is part of the Nuclear Fuel Factory (FCN) in Resende. It decreased its reliance on contracting isotopic enrichment services overseas for the manufacturing of fuel for national nuclear power reactors as a result of the expansion. The opening is part of the plant's first phase of implementation, a project in collaboration with the Brazilian Navy that aims to deploy 10 cascades of ultracentrifuges at FCN. Its completion is slated for 2023, with the start-up of the 10th cascade, after which, 70% of the yearly demand required to supply Angra 1 will be met.
• In March 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific, the industry leader in providing services to the scientific community, added two new models to its Thermo Scientific General Purpose Pro Centrifuge Series to better serve the needs of clinical diagnostic facilities, academic research labs, and companies involved in cell and gene therapy as well as biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These models also have improved ergonomics and noise reduction. These new models feature a glass touchscreen, a high-speed rotor, the Auto Lock Rotor Exchange function, and more.