What this market covers
Vessels that grow cells or microbes under controlled temperature, gas and nutrients to make drugs, vaccines, foods and chemicals. Biopharma plants and research labs buy them.
Typical segments
- Stirred tank bioreactors
- Single use bioreactors
- Perfusion systems
- Bench top fermenters
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +56% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €729.6 million of products under CN code 84198998 (Machinery, plant or laboratory equipment, whether or not electrically heated, for the) from outside the EU in 2025. | 729.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 84198998 were up 56% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€469.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +56 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84198998 to countries outside the EU were worth €2.36 billion in 2025. | 2.36 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 84198998 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.16 billion in 2025. | 1.16 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 84198998 to the EU in 2025, with €144.1 million, or 20% of extra-EU imports. | 144.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 84198998 to the United States were €590.2 million in 2025. | 590.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 84198998 was €29.28 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 29.28 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 84198998 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €905.8 million. | 905.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 12,200 enterprises in NACE class C2899 (Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery n.e.c.) in 2023. | 12,200 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2899 had net turnover of €93.00 billion in 2023. | 93.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2899 employed 321,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 321,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 3,642 private establishments in NAICS 333248 (All other industrial machinery manufacturing) in 2025. | 3,642 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 333248 employed an average of 68,489 people in US private industry in 2025. | 68,489 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 333248 was $90,407 in 2025. | 90,407 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 1,419 papers mentioning "bioreactor" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 1,419 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84198998, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 729603422
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84198998, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 469112292; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 729603422
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84198998, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2361960903
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84198998, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1163731012
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84198998, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 144058926
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84198998, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 590199020
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 84198998, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 729603422, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 249186
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 84198998, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 905827502
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2899, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 12200
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2899, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 93000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2899, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 321000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 333248, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333248, annual_avg_estabs 3642
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333248, annual_avg_emplvl 68489
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 333248, avg_annual_pay 90407
- Figure 12
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "bioreactor"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 15
esearch count 1419
- Figure 15
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Biopharma plants
- Research labs
- Food and enzyme makers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bioreactors market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €729.6 million of goods under CN 84198998 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €2.36 billion.
Where does the EU import bioreactors from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United States, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of bioreactors in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €29.28 per kilogram for CN 84198998 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bioreactors?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the bioreactors industry?
BLS counts 3,642 private establishments in NAICS 333248 (All other industrial machinery manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bioreactors industry?
Eurostat counts 12,200 enterprises in NACE class C2899 (Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery n.e.c.).
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