United Kingdom Single-use Assemblies Market Assessment, By Product, By Solution, By Application, By End-user, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

United Kingdom single-use assemblies market is projected to witness a CAGR of 16.18% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 219.80 million in 2024 to USD 729.58 billion in 2032. The established life sciences industry, coupled with government initiatives like Life Sciences Vision 2030, is enhancing the value of single-use technologies. The rise in investment for cell and gene therapy manufacturing, bolstered by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, has expedited the implementation of disposable bioprocessing solutions to optimize production. Additionally, the UK's emphasis on sustainability and waste reduction in the biopharma industry is prompting manufacturers to explore eco-friendly single-use alternatives, further bolstering market value.

For instance, in August 2024, Freudenberg Medical revealed the enhancement of its biopharma product range to incorporate custom single-use assemblies. This new offering leverages the company's proficiency in silicone extrusion and molding within the medical and pharmaceutical device sectors.

Investments and Fundings Driving Market Expansion

The growing momentum of investments and strategic fund allocations across the UK's life sciences sector is significantly supporting the growth of the single-use assemblies market. With increasing attention on biologics, cell therapies, and personalized medicine, several public and private entities are directing funds toward facilities that integrate advanced bioprocessing technologies. These funds encourage R&D efforts, expand manufacturing capabilities, and enable the faster commercial scalability of therapeutics. Additionally, domestic and international players are increasingly collaborating with UK-based research institutions and biotech firms, fueling innovation and increasing demand for flexible, scalable systems like single-use bioreactors. Startups and mid-sized biotech companies benefit the most, as these systems reduce capital investment and operational complexities. The ecosystem's shift towards fast-track innovation and quick scale-up capacity is further incentivizing funding into modular and disposable manufacturing setups. With continued governmental support and investor confidence, the financial influx is not only boosting product adoption but is also enabling companies to explore newer modalities that demand high-throughput, contamination-free, and cost-efficient bioproduction-qualities that single-use systems precisely deliver.

Sustainable Choices Encouraging Adoption

Sustainability has emerged as a pivotal factor influencing purchasing and operational decisions in the UK biopharmaceutical landscape. As regulatory frameworks and corporate environmental goals emphasize reducing carbon footprints and promoting greener alternatives, the adoption of single-use bioreactors is being driven by their lower environmental impact compared to traditional stainless-steel systems. These systems eliminate the need for cleaning and sterilization, thereby reducing water, energy, and chemical usage. Additionally, advances in recyclable and biodegradable bioprocessing materials are aligning with the UK's broader sustainability mandates. Companies are also realizing that single-use systems contribute to lean manufacturing and waste minimization, making them both environmentally and economically viable. As biopharma firms integrate sustainability metrics into their supply chains, the demand for technologies that support circular economy principles is rising. Single-use bioreactors, due to their lower resource utilization and adaptability to green practices, are becoming central to this shift. The sustainable edge they offer is no longer just an operational perk but a strategic imperative in an increasingly eco-conscious biomanufacturing environment. For instance, in February 2024, biomanufacturing industry is determined to not only save patients' lives but also the environment. This commitment makes long-term environmental sustainability an increasingly central concern for industry stakeholders. Sick patients will always need therapies, but the composition and manufacturing of those therapies can change as discoveries are turned into viable treatments, such as the growing use of biological modalities. These changes are forcing the entire healthcare landscape, including manufacturers, to continue to adapt.

Infrastructure Additions to Strengthen Local Biomanufacturing

The United Kingdom has experienced significant advancements in its life sciences infrastructure, which is favorably influencing the uptake of single-use bioreactors. New biomanufacturing facilities and research centers are being established or expanded in various regions to enhance domestic capabilities for biologics and cell therapies. These facilities are typically designed with flexibility and modularity in mind, creating optimal conditions for the integration of single-use technologies. As the emphasis transitions from small-scale research and development to scalable commercial production, both institutions and companies are focusing on infrastructure that facilitates continuous and agile manufacturing. Single-use bioreactors integrate seamlessly into this framework by providing rapid turnaround times, minimizing contamination risks, and lowering construction costs for facilities. These advantages align closely with the strategic goals of national biotech accelerators and innovation clusters. Furthermore, the expansion of infrastructure is often accompanied by workforce development initiatives that include training on contemporary bioprocessing systems, thereby enhancing familiarity and confidence in utilizing disposable bioreactor platforms. As these modern manufacturing settings proliferate, the demand for complementary technologies such as single-use bioreactors is anticipated to rise significantly. For example, in August 2024, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies celebrated the opening of a USD 131 million (£100 million) microbial fermentation manufacturing facility in Billingham, UK, during a ceremony held earlier this week. Employees enjoyed a barbecue lunch featuring a diverse array of dishes, with seating arranged both under a marquee and at outdoor picnic tables, allowing staff to enjoy the pleasant afternoon weather. This expansion included upgrades to Fujifilm's existing site, which will triple the company's microbial production capacity. The new production line will feature two 4000-L fermenters, a primary separation suite, and a modular purification suite.

Future Market Scenario (2025-2032F)

The country's expanding biologics and vaccine manufacturing sector is significantly increasing the volume of single-use components used in drug development and production. With a growing focus on personalized medicine, the demand for single-use mixing and filtration assemblies has surged across academic and commercial research institutions. The UK's vibrant CDMO industry is also a key driver of volume growth, as contract manufacturers increasingly rely on disposable technologies to meet flexible production requirements. For instance, in March 2025, Project Nexus, a collaborative initiative, was spearheaded by USD 1.4 million in funding from Innovate UK's Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing Innovation: Collaborative R&D program. The objective of this project is to develop innovative, sustainable materials specifically designed for single-use bioprocessing equipment, including bioreactors. The partners involved in this project comprise Photocentric, a 3D printing firm; Sartorius, a supplier of pharmaceuticals and life sciences equipment; Metamorphic, a design consultancy focused on additive manufacturing; the CPI, a UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult center; and academic institutions such as the University of Sheffield and Imperial College London.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The key players in the market are significantly investing in the development of single-use assemblies and are utilizing strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and new product launches to improve their services and competitiveness. Such efforts will propel significant growth in the market, allowing large-cap industry players to increase their presence and, therefore, find new opportunities in this market.

In February 2025, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. announced plans to acquire Solventum's Purification and Filtration Business for approximately USD 4.1 billion. This acquisition is expected to complement Thermo Fisher's bioproduction capabilities, particularly in the bioprocessing market.