Freeze Drying Equipment Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Installation Type (Benchtop, Manifold, and Tray Style) By Product Type (Industrial freeze dryer, Vacuum freeze dryer, Laboratory, and Others (Pilot scale)), By End Use (Food Processing, Medical Surgical, Pharmaceuticals, and Others (Whole Meal)), and Regional Forecast, 2024 – 2032

The global freeze drying equipment market size was valued at USD 2.08 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 2.22 billion in 2024 to USD 3.83 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.

Freeze drying, or lyophilization, is a critical preserving process for a range of food and pharmaceuticals, increasing the shelf life of the product while maintaining quality or other parameters. The market exhibits robust growth driven by increasing demand for convenient and durable products.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the market, amplifying demand for freeze-drying solutions, particularly for freeze drying equipment for vaccine preservation and pharmaceutical stability. In the post-pandemic period, the need for reliable and scalable preservation methods continues to affect both production capacity and innovation across the market. As the world navigates recovery, the market continues to evolve with a focus on technological innovation, efficiency, and adapting to global demands.

IMPACT OF GENERATIVE AI

Advanced AI Logic Modules Drive Lab Freeze Drier Adoption in Biopharmaceuticals

Generative AI amplified the innovation across benchtop equipment for optimal freezing temperature, maintaining sample quality, and enhancing performance through AI logarithms. AI logic modules can enhance performance through predictive analysis, improving operational efficiency and reducing machine downtime. Additionally, AI supports operators with logically maintaining temperature for different food products by identifying products and assessing their nutrient levels.      

• For instance, according to a study of biopharmaceuticals approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) between 1995 and 2018, only 34% of products are lyophilized. Although the cost of freezing is high compared to traditional methods, drug companies can recover the cost from the marketed product through an advanced AI product stabilization technique.

MARKET TRENDS

Increasing Commercial Processing Capabilities Drive Adoption Trend Across Market

Increasing emphasis on advancement in commercial processing machines promotes operational efficiency and productivity through technological features such as IoT, machine learning, and automation. These technological improvements across product specifications are shaping trends bolstering freeze drying equipment market growth during forecast period.

• For instance, in Feb 2022, GEA Group, a prominent industrial equipment manufacturer, secured its third contract from food manufacturer Pol’s. The contract was to deliver and install RAY freeze drying equipment at their 4,000 m2 fruit and vegetable freeze-drying facility in Ermenek, Turkey.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market Drivers

Increasing Focus on Pharmaceutical Product Innovation to Boost Market Growth

Globally pharmaceutical industry is focusing on improving bio-pharmaceutical freezing temperature to avoid sample degradation and enhance medicine performance. Manufacturers are actively promoting innovation across laboratory freeze drying technologies to enhance applications in the pharmaceutical sector. This emphasis on advancement by major market players’ boosts freeze drying equipment market revenue in the long term.

• For instance, in June 2021, Scientific Products, a prominent laboratory equipment manufacturer, launched the SP Hull Lyostar 4.0 freeze dryer for R&D and process development. It is designed to enhance marketed biopharmaceutical products such as biological drugs and reflects SP's expertise in Lyophilization.

Market Restraints

Complexity in Integration and Maintenance are Restrains to the Market

Freeze drying technology is a highly complex system that is used across pharmaceutical lyophilization in maintaining freeze temperature. However, its complex architecture and control systems make it complex for process line manufacturers to integrate. Additionally, high maintenance and upfront costs presents key restraints for market growth.

Market Opportunities

Focus on Commercial Processing for Ample Business Opportunities to Drive Market Growth

Global expansion of freeze drying to new geographies such as Asia, South America, and other regions due to growing food processing and biopharmaceuticals applications for materials and sample preservations promoted commercial processing. Factors such as expanding economies, increasing industrialization, evolving customer requirements in the food industry, and improved ease of doing business are key catalysts creating ample opportunities to acquire freeze drying equipment market share in emerging markets.

• For instance, in April 2022, NJM, a promach product brand, introduced Dara Pharma’s cool vacuum freeze drying equipment to the U.S. and Canada. The company offered a range of lyophilization solutions, featuring fully integrated systems designed to comply with FDA, GMP, and GAMP5 regulations, and available with SCADA software for commercial lines.

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Installation Type Analysis

Type Dryer Installation in Biopharmaceutical Operations to Promote Adoption

Based on installation type, the market is fragmented into benchtop, manifold, and tray type.

Tray-type freeze dryer is the leading installation type, expanding their market share due to their predominant use in biopharmaceuticals, particularly for vial sterilizations and surgical utensils. Also, effective usage of tray type freezers for fast cooling of medical samples and medicines in pharmaceutical research drive product adoption in long term.

The demand for benchtop freeze dryers is driven by product innovation and hefty use in laboratories for sample testing and avoiding degradation, are also witnessing increased adoption across the industry.

Manifold freeze dryer’s stagnant use in small-scale food processing to sustain its demand in the market.

By Product Type Analysis

Vacuum Freeze Dryer Leads Owing to the Increasing Demand for Preserved Products

As per product type, the market is categorized into industrial freeze dryer, vacuum freeze dryer, laboratory, and others (pilot scale).

Vacuum freeze dryer is a dominant segment due to increasing global demand for preserved food and items rich in nutrients and vitamins. Promoting healthy food ingredients promotes its use in industrial processes. They are used in food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other industries requiring bulk production.

Furthermore, industrial scale freeze drying systems intended for high-volume production is showcasing steady growth. The growing use of commercial freeze dryers for fruit and vegetable preservation to avoid food degradation and wastage is promoting product demand. Laboratory and other mobile freeze dryers have a steady demand in the long term, promoting product adoption across research activities.

By End Use Analysis

Exponential Food Processing Businesses in Emerging Markets Drives Demand in End Use Industry

Based on end use, the industry is categorized into food processing, medical and surgical, pharmaceuticals, and others.

Food processing is leading the end-use segment with highest CAGR owing to growing freeze-dryer technology use in food, fruits, and vegetable preservation, promoting business expansion across emerging markets and exports. Also, major agro based economies promoting adoption of these advanced freeze drying systems to enhance food products nutrient trapping through vacuum drying is bolstering product demand in long term.

Medical and surgical are a growing segment that benefitted by adopting general purpose freeze dryers for efficient sterilization is helping the business segment grow progressively.

Pharmaceuticals and other end-use is a steady business segment running on organic business, generating sales for businesses in the long term.

FREEZE DRYING EQUIPMENT MARKET REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is the dominant region across the globe, promoting export businesses for Medium Scale Manufacturing Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in food processing and the preservation of fruits & vegetables. Furthermore, schemes by the government in the horticulture segment along with an improved ease of doing business, help maintain profitability in the freeze drying sector in the region.

China is leading the Asia Pacific region owing to its dominance in the global exports of industrial freeze dryers at a competitive price and the presence of major buyers and manufacturers in the country. India is a growing market with the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to growing technology awareness among small-scale businesses and farmers seeking to preserve food, fruits, and vegetables for global scale. Another region of Asia Pacific is set to grow steadily due to industrial shifts and growing export opportunities.

North America

North America market is marked by significant growth, prominently driven by technology advancements and growing demand for freeze dryers in the pharmaceuticals and food sectors. Additionally, the presence of major players and ongoing investment projects in research and development embraces market leadership in this region, expanding the freeze drying equipment market size for the forecast period.

Europe

In Europe, stringent regulations and emphasis on sustainable technologies contribute to technological innovations. Countries such as Germany, France, and the U.K. are key regions contributors to the growth of the region.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa countries are expanding steadily across food processing and pharmaceuticals, increasing the adoption of freeze drying. Despite economic slowdowns and infrastructure challenges, industrialization and demand for high-quality promote effective food preservation.

Latin America

Latin America is showcasing stagnant growth due to the food processing sector promoting demand for convenient food products and better value for preserved food items in countries such as Mexico and Brazil.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Major Players Focus on Acquisitions to Expand into New Geographical Regions

Key players across the globe observed an economic slowdown in their key markets due to major socio-economic sectors such as political instability, fewer investments, and a shrinking consumer base. However, post pandemic economic recovery and strategic decision by key players such as acquisition have helped companies to expand into new regions with more revenue opportunities that will enhance sales stability over the long term.

• For instance, in April 2022, CoolVacuum, a Dara Pharma company in collaboration with NJM, a promach brand, penetrated North America with a diverse range of freeze products that offer effective solutions for pharmaceuticals and food processing.

Major Players in the Freeze Drying Equipment Market

List of Companies Profiled:  

• Syntegon (Germany)


• GEA Group (Germany)


• Cuddon Freeze Dry (New Zealand)


• Senovatec (China)


• Azbil Corporation (Japan)


• IMA SpA (Italy)


• Martin Christ Gefriertrocknungsanlagen GmbH (Germany)


• Hosokawa Micron BV (Japan)


• Optima Packaging Group GmBH (Germany)


• BUCHI Corporation (U.S.)


• Martin Christ Gefriertrocknungsanlagen GmbH (Germany)


• Genevac Ltd. (U.K.)


• IBK Industriebedarf GmBH (Germany)


• Labconco (U.S.)


• Millrock technology Inc.(U.S.)


• Zirbus Technology GmBH (Germany)


• ULVAC Inc. (Japan)


• SP Industries (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• August 2024: IMA Group, a prominent industrial freeze dryer manufacturer, announced the establishment of IMA Sarong. The group acquired a packaging machinery and materials division in Sarong to strengthen its presence primarily in pharmaceutical sectors and in the home and personal care markets.


• July 2024: Cryobiz, a prominent seller, announced the launch of improved CD8 freeze dryer. The new-gen freeze dryer offers features such as all-in-one process, autodry fuctionality, easyload capability, and compliance with international standards, including UL (U.S.), CSA (Canada), CE (Europe), and RCM (Australia/New Zealand).


• June 2024: Syntegon, a prominent pharmaceutical equipment supplier announced the complete acquisition of Azbil Telstar, a prominent subsidiary of Japanese Azbil Corporation. This acquisition enhances Syntegon's portfolio in liquid processing.


• June 2024: BUCHI Labortchnik, a leading freeze dryer manufacturer, launched the Lyovapor L-250 built on the predecessor L-200 model's robust framework, offering an extended temperature range. The product is an innovation of the company’s commitment to sustainability without compromising efficiency and reliability.


• December 2023: VFL Lifescience, a laboratory freeze dryer manufacturer, launched a penguin classic laboratory freeze dryer, designed to be an ideal fit for benchtop segment. It comes with features such as auto-restart after power restoration, auto-defrost, and flexibility to use flasks, vials, and petri dishes.

INVESTMENT ANALYSIS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Major players in the freeze drying equipment industry are focusing on expanding their product lines with the acquisition of major shares in smaller companies, which has boosted their sales figures. Additionally, these acquisitions help manufacturers to strengthen their market position with new product portfolios and to effectively grow their businesses in emerging markets with consumer-specific needs. These initiatives strengthen fundamentals through merger and Acquisition (M&A) activities, facilitating long-term growth for these businesses.

• June 2024: Dara Pharma, a prominent pharma equipment supplier, earlier having 49% of the company’s share has acquired 100% of Coolvacuum, an expert in freeze drying. The strategic plan started in 2020 and made Dara Pharma an international manufacturer of freeze-dry solutions.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, product type, and leading applications of the product. Besides, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors above, the report encompasses several factors that contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

REPORT SCOPE & SEGMENTATION

ATTRIBUTE	DETAILS
Study Period	2019-2032
Base Year	2023
Estimated Year	2024
Forecast Period	2024-2032
Historical Period	2019-2022
Growth Rate	CAGR of 7.1% from 2024 to 2032
Unit	Value (USD Billion)
Segmentation	By Installation Type Benchtop Manifold Tray Style By Product Type Industrial Freeze Dryer Vacuum Freeze Dryer Laboratory Freeze Dryer Others (Pilot scale, etc.) By End Use Food Processing Bakery & Dairy Vegetables & Fruits Seafood and Meat Others (Instant Mix, etc.) Medical and Surgical Pharmaceuticals Others (Whole meal, etc.) By Region North America (By Installation Type, By Product Type, By End Use, and By Country) U.S. Canada Europe (By Installation Type, By Product Type, By End Use, and By Country) U.K. Germany France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific (By Installation Type, By Product Type, By End Use, and By Country) China India Japan Australia Southeast Asia Rest of APAC Middle East & Africa (By Installation Type, By Product Type, By End Use, and By Country) GCC South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa Latin America (By Installation Type, By Product Type, By End Use, and By Country) Mexico Brazil Rest of Latin America
Companies Profiled in the Report	Azbil Corporation (Japan), BUCHI Corporation (U.S.), GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft (Germany),, IMA SpA (Italy), Cuddon Freeze Dry (New Zealand), Optima Packaging Group (Germany), Syntegon (Germany), Hosokawa Bicron B.V. (Japan), Martin Christ Gefriertrocknungsanlagen GmbH (Germany) , Senovatec (China)