Global Incubator Shaker Market 2025 – 2034

Reports Description

As per the Incubator Shaker Market conducted by the CMI Team, the global Incubator Shaker Market is expected to record a CAGR of 4.31% from 2025 to 2034. In 2025, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 0.31 Billion. By 2034, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 0.46 Billion.

Overview

Incubator shakers – widely accepted as vital tools for cell culture, microbiology, and pharmaceutical research – are undergoing rapid adoption by the expanding biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and academic sectors, where accuracy, reliability, and efficiency have become paramount areas of focus. Leading laboratory instrument manufacturers are extending their offerings with new stackable models, CO₂-compatible offerings, and programmable models to appeal to a greater audience of research organizations, with a view to improving productivity, scalability, and reproducibility of experiments.

While North America and Europe are still major markets due to their established research frameworks and R&D spending, the Asia-Pacific region is rapidly emerging as a high-growth market owing to increased governmental investment in life sciences, augmented pharmaceutical production, and enhanced access to lower cost equipment/applications. Incubator shakers continue to evolve in terms of applications to support drug discovery, genetic engineering, and industrial biotechnology as they remain among the most essential instruments supporting advances in global science and medicine.

Key Trends & Drivers                                                                                                  

The Incubator Shaker Market Trends present significant growth opportunities due to several factors:

• Expansion of Life Sciences Research: One of the most notable drivers of growth in the incubator shaker market is the expansion of life sciences research. According to IQVIA, Global spending on life sciences research and development (R&D) exceeded USD 260 billion across the globe in 2023, and that number is still growing. Major universities, institutes funded by government agencies, and privately funded research organizations are investing significant resources in new laboratory builds and laboratory renovations in general. Areas like genomics, proteomics, and regenerative medicine are some of the fastest-growing areas of research that depend on incubator shakers to enable important laboratory operations, such as cell culture, protein expression, and studies on microbial growth. For Instance, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded more than USD 47 billion in funding for medical research in 2023, with a large portion directed toward areas of life sciences research that rely on incubators and agitation to maintain controlled laboratory conditions. As research becomes more collaborative and global, there is a growing need for reliable incubator shakers that are scalable, precise and versatile pieces of laboratory equipment and this trend will only further fortify their position as very important instruments used in laboratories around the globe.

• Advancements in Biotechnology: Biotechnology advancements will continue to push the uptake of incubator shakers by innovation in fields such as biopharmaceuticals, vaccine development, and synthetic biology. The global biotechnology market is expected to continue its sustained growth largely driven by increasing demand across biologics and personalized therapy. Incubator shakers are necessary equipment for protein expression, genetic engineering, and cell-based assays when reproducibility and precision are vital, as well as scalability. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the usage of incubator shakers and incubators/shakers when the majority of biopharma stakeholders increased the manufacturing capacity of vaccines and therapeutics that relied significantly on microbial and mammalian culture methodologies. The utilization of high-throughput and automation across biotech R&D is also driving demand for specialized incubator-shakers that can accommodate alternative workflows. Biopharma is expected to become the largest segment of the global pharmaceutical market, accounting for approximately 30% of the total market by 2030, incubator shakers will play a central role as the methods used will continue to facilitate innovation and the corresponding production demand of such new technologies.

Significant Threats

The Incubator Shaker Market has several major threats that may hinder growth and profitability now and in the future, including:

• Technological Substitutes: One of the key challenges facing the incubator shaker market is the increasing availability of technology-based alternatives that deliver similar and even superior uses or capabilities. Technologies like automated bioreactors, high-throughput culture systems, and microfluidic devices are being increasingly adopted in biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications as they offer enhanced precision, scalability, and integration with digital data collection systems. These alternatives utilize less manual handling, are increasing operational precision and efficiency, and are minimizing uncertainty associated with contaminants that make conventional incubator shakers less desirable. As companies and research institutions place a greater emphasis on automation and new technologies within research settings, the advancement of next-generation products will have an impact on future demand for traditional incubator shakers on the market in the long term, thereby creating pressure on manufacturers to transform quickly or risk losing market share.

Opportunities

• Increasing number of new innovative medical laboratories: The incubator shaker industry is expected to experience greater growth opportunities due to increasing investments for expanding existing medical laboratories to build new laboratories with advanced experimental tools. In 2023, in October, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) announced the opening of its new public outreach center called Science Gateway for science education. The center is projected to service more than 50,000 visitors a year from guests outside of other countries. Furthermore, on 2023 January, The University of Pécs opened a new research center called the Preclinical Research Centre of the Medical School. The new facility will serve as a site for a variety of research on drug development while testing new therapeutic treatments. It includes cutting-edge building architecture using the latest technology and systems.

Category Wise Insights

By Type of Incubator Shakers

• Orbital Incubator Shakers: Incubator shakers, typically orbital, comprise the largest segment of the market due to their widespread application in cell culture, fermentation, and microbes. Orbital incubator shakers combine circular shaking motion with controlled temperature, thereby allowing for adequate culture aeration and homogeneous mixing, making them an excellent tool for bacterial, yeast, and mammalian cell cultivation.

• Vortex Incubator Shakers: While less commonly employed than orbital incubator shakers, vortex incubator shakers serve an important role in rapid mixing and homogenization of culturing materials in biochemical and molecular studies, particularly when working with small amounts requiring speed of mixing but where accuracy is important.

By Application Area

• Microbiology: Microbiology is the largest area of application for incubator shakers, where they have become a necessity for culturing microorganisms with controlled temperature and agitation. Incubator shakers are also widely used in clinical research, academic research, and industrial research to study microbiological pathogenesis, the efficacy of antibiotics, and genetic pathogenic mechanisms.

• Food and Beverage Industry: Incubator shakers are also used in food and beverage to perform fermentation, combine microbial quality control, and test for safety. In these applications they provide verification of food safety compliance as well as consumer product innovation in brewing, dairy oils, and processed foods.

By Capacity

• Small Capacity Shakers (up to 5 L): Small capacity shakers are most common in educational facilities and diagnostic laboratories. Due to their affordability and small footprint, they are an excellent choice for use in low-volume experimental contexts.

• Medium Capacity Shakers (5 to 20 L): Medium capacity shakers capture a large section of the market, effectively bridging functionality and scalability. They are often utilized by biotech companies and pharmaceutical companies for mid-scale research and production.

By Technology

• Analog Shakers: Analog shakers continue to meet the demands of smaller labs because they are basic and inexpensive. They can be reliable for basic laboratory shaking wherein advanced research demands precision and automation.

• Digital Shakers: Digital shakers are relatively new on the scene but are gaining market share rapidly with programmable controls, real-time monitoring, and displayed readings to link with smart lab systems. The precision, automation, and ease of use make digital shakers the ideal laboratory equipment for high-throughput and current biotechnology.

By End User

• Academic and Research Institutions: There is a significant market share from academic and research institutions because incubator shakers are typically standard equipment, which is found in academic labs and in research funded by government agencies for fundamental studies in genetics, molecular biology, and microbial sciences.

• Pharmaceutical Companies: Pharmaceutical companies, which use incubator shakers in drug discovery, protein expression, and vaccine development. These end-users contribute to sustained demand, as they have significant roles in large scale R&D projects and clinical trials.

Historical Context

At first, the incubator shaker market was a laboratory instrument that had limited applications and was primarily used for traditional basic microbiology and academic research. Early designs were rudimentary mechanical models with very limited temperature capabilities and programming, which allowed for little innovation or wider use. There was little global visibility, with sales limited to small laboratory supply chains and local manufacturers without a strong international presence.

Over the past several decades, however, incubator shakers have evolved into required laboratory apparatus across biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, and clinical diagnostics due to advances in automated use, temperature control capabilities, and stackable or CO₂ compatibility. This shift has advanced incubator shakers from basic lab accessories into a platform that is essential for essential applications such as cell culture, protein expression, and genetic research.

Today, manufacturers and regional suppliers offer a host of products ranging from compact benchtop designs to large capacity programmable units to keep pace with a range of research applications, and incubator shakers are a core component of infrastructure in modern life sciences.

Impact of Recent Tariff Policies

Recent tariff regulations have increasingly influenced the global incubator shaker industry by raising import expenses, changing supply chains and relative competition. Because many of the products (e.g., chassis, motors, electronics) are produced offshore, increased duties for imported components from major manufacturers have added production costs, which are expected to increase end user pricing.

In some cases, indicating possible shifts for some companies, manufacturers are looking to diversify their supply sources to use more domestic or regional suppliers and redesigning products to mitigate exposure to tariffs. Additionally, tariffs benefit local and regional suppliers who could produce similar equipment free of import tariffs, gaining market share in regions facing limited competition because of tariffs.

For many buyers, particularly universities, large industries, and small research labs, cost pressures may limit capital funding for upgrades or force delays on purchasing new units and additional equipment, particularly for mid-range market segments. Regardless of these concerns, the premium-segment demand from biotech, pharmaceutical, and clinical research sectors has shown some resiliency, which may offset some of the loss in overall market demand in some of the regional markets.

Report Scope

Regional Analysis

The Incubator Shaker Market is segmented by key regions and includes detailed analysis across major countries. Below is a brief overview of the market dynamics in each country:

North America: The North America incubator shaker market is being fueled by the availability of a robust research infrastructure, a large number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and significant investments in academic and clinical research. Furthermore, demand is being bolstered by government funding in addition to their focus on emphasis on drug discovery, precision medicine, and molecular biology, making the region a leader in the market.

• US: The U.S. leads the North America market due to the size of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector, high healthcare expenditure, and presence of numerous reputable research universities in the marketplace. Large amounts of federal and private funding, along with major biotechnology hubs such as California and Boston, also continue to foster demand for incubator shakers in laboratories and academic research and clinical development.

• Canada: In Canada, the incubator shaker market is steadily growing as a result of an increase in the amount of investment in healthcare-based research activities in both academic institutions and the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. The instigated willingness of the governmental bodies to develop biotechnology innovations, along with increasing collaboration with for profit U.S. firms and European research bodies, continues to foster, support, and accelerate demand for incubator-type shakers within laboratories, research affiliations, and life sciences institutes.

Europe: The market for incubator shakers in Europe is supported by established healthcare systems, government policies aimed at promoting biotech and pharmaceutical growth, and international research collaborations. Leading manufacturers globally and a strong tradition of medical research spending provide stability in demand for incubator shakers in hospitals, laboratories, and academic research institutions in Europe.

• Germany: Germany leads the market in Europe due to a strong pharmaceutical market, a well-developed R&D framework, and robust academic research. The presence of leading multinational pharmaceutical companies and medical technology companies indicates steady growth, which, in addition to government funding incentives for innovation in biotechnology, raises demand for incubator shakers in academic and industrial laboratories.

• UK: The incubator shaker market in the UK benefits from a salient biotech sector, strong growth in private life sciences investment, and a reputation as a top research area. New post-Brexit policies to inspire a return of R&D in the UK combined with the increasing pressure on universities to partner with industry, are creating new opportunities for cutting-edge laboratory equipment, including incubator shakers, as the focus for drug discovery and molecular biology research remains strong.

• France: The French market is seeing steady growth, thanks to government investment toward healthcare research, a strong academic network, and investments from the pharmaceutical industry.

Asia-Pacific: The incubator shaker market in the Asia Pacific region is experiencing significant growth due to government investments in biotechnology, pharmaceutical production, and increases in academic research. The demand across the region for incubator shakers is also being driven by increased clinical trials, lower cost for incubators made internally, and increasing biotech startups that are coupled with low demand in an emerging market. The Asia Pacific market is arguably one of the fastest-growing markets in the world for incubator shakers.

• Japan: Japan has the largest market share in Asia Pacific owing to its strong pharmaceutical industry, technological innovation, and overall spending in R&D. Japan’s focus on advanced medical research, strong academic understanding, and collaboration between the government and private institutions will ensure steady introductions of incubator shakers into use across biomedical, molecular, and genetic research.

• China: China is the fastest growing market in Asia Pacific, driven by substantial government investment, a growing pharmaceutical industry, and increasing biotechnology startups. The demand for laboratory equipment, like incubator shakers, continues to rise because of high levels of commercial drug development projects, clinical trials, and academic research projects. China is therefore becoming a larger production and consumer base for equipment.

• India: Greater investment in biotechnology parks, growing pharmaceutical manufacturing, and greater numbers of clinical trials driving the market growth. Supporting government investment in research and building academia and associations with global firms are creating momentum to adopt laboratory equipment. Low-cost production capabilities also will support India as a low-cost supplier and user of incubator shakers with the research and development industries.

LAMEA: The incubator shaker market in LAMEA is growing steadily as a result of high healthcare investments, laboratory modernization, and gradually increasing biotechnology and pharmaceutical R&D. Adoption is strongest in very established healthcare markets, while developing markets are confirming the establishment of research facilities and academic programs that employ laboratory equipment such as incubator shakers.

• Brazil: Brazil is the largest country in Latin America, supported by increased public health research, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing, and academic research programs. Efforts to expand the life sciences sector by the government, along with sponsored research collaborations with international companies, have continued to support demand for incubator shakers in universities, biotech facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

• South Africa: South Africa is the largest market in Africa, driven by healthcare modernization, academic research programs, and increasing interest in biotechnology. The increasing number of hospital research laboratories in South Africa, coupled with collaborations with international organizations, is helping to reinforce adoption in the private and public sectors. Supportive policies have also helped support healthcare research innovation, creating further demand for incubator shakers in the healthcare system.

Key Developments

The Incubator Shaker Market has undergone a number of important developments over the last couple of years as participants in the industry look to expand their geographic footprint and enhance their product offering and profitability by leveraging synergies.

• In March 2025, Caron Scientific, Inc. a leading manufacturer, launched the 7406 Incubator Shaker at the EU Advanced Therapies conference. Caron Scientific, Inc. provides advanced environmental testing, incubation, and controlled environment equipment.

• In October 2024, Eppendorf launched a CO₂ incubator shaker on the market with integrated 180°C sterilization. Eppendorf is an international leader in the life science industry.

These activities have allowed the companies to further develop their product portfolios and sharpen their competitive edge to capitalize on the available growth opportunities in the Incubator Shaker Market.

Leading Players

The Incubator Shaker Market is moderately consolidated, dominated by large-scale players with infrastructure and government support. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Benchmark Scientific
• Biolab Scientific
• Daigger Scientific
• Labnet International
• Labwit Scientific
• LABREPCO
• Sheldon Manufacturing
• REMI GROUP
• SciQuip
• Allsheng (Hangzhou Allsheng Instruments)
• Meditech Technologies India
• Vision Scientific
• Boekel Scientific
• Cleaver Scientific
• Others

The incubator shaker industry has a moderate concentration of key players consisting of global laboratory equipment companies, life science technology specialists, and regional manufacturers. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Benchmark Scientific, Labnet International, and Boekel Scientific are prominent players and established global competitors, each creating well-respected brands that have a long history in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, distribution, and marketing.

Emerging competitors are offering affordable, innovative solutions that are specific to regional needs, as in the case of Allsheng (Hangzhou Allsheng Instruments), Meditech Technologies India, Vision Scientific, and Cleaver Scientific. Collectively, these organizations increase accessibility throughout academic, clinical, and industrial laboratories around the world.

The Incubator Shaker Market is segmented as follows:

By Type of Incubator Shakers

• Orbital Incubator Shakers
• Vortex Incubator Shakers

By Application Area

• Microbiology
• Food and Beverage Industry

By End-User

• Academic and Research Institutions
• Pharmaceutical Companies

By Capacity

• Small Capacity Shakers (up to 5 L)
• Medium Capacity Shakers (5 to 20 L)

By Availability

• Prescription
• OTC

By Technology

• Analog Shakers
• Digital Shakers

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America