Modular Automation Systems Market Size (2024 – 2030)

The Global Modular Automation Systems Market was valued at USD 3.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a market size of USD 5.80 billion by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2024-2030, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.64%. 

Modular Automation is the primary element for industrial IoT and Industry 4.0. Moving from monolithic automation systems for the whole production plant to modular-enabled, more flexible, and service-oriented plug-and-produce automation solutions will facilitate faster process implementation, the capability to scale the capacity by numbering up and down the production, and enhanced capability and speed of product changes. Modular Automation is the correct solution for process industries that are experiencing market requirements such as more personalized products, shorter delivery periods, and smaller batch series down to batch size 1.

Key Market Insights:

• Laboratory automation has completely turned around the medical laboratory space by steadily substituting semi-automatic and manual methods with fully automated systems. These automation systems are helpful in sterile environments, wherein human mistake is significantly lowered and time is saved. Routine laboratory processes, such as testing, screening, etc., are automated. Automation techniques can process concurrent requests in real time, representing a marked improvement in productivity and throughput.

• In recent years, molecular diagnostic assays have depended significantly on real-time PCR technology, which emphasizes the amplification of DNA in real-time, while PCR is in progress utilizing a fluorescent reporter. More than 75% of clinic molecular diagnostic tests are relatable to real-time PCR procedures. This technology has provoked a new molecular biology market by providing rapid assays for better diagnosis and customized treatment of complex diseases

• As per the Robotic Industries Association, the life science sector has the third-highest development in industrial robots, in terms of automated liquid handlers, automated plate handlers, robotic arms, and others, to meet the necessity.

Global Modular Automation Systems Market Drivers:

Growing demand for Automation in Diverse Industries

The Modular Automation Market is experiencing a value spike as a result of enhancing demand for automation across a wide range of sectors. Manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and agriculture are all understanding the advantages of modular automation systems in terms of operating efficiency, flexibility, and adaptation. As organizations seek more non-rigid and responsive automation solutions, modular robots offer a scalable solution that enables rapid reconfiguration of robotic modules to suit changing production demands.

The continuous transformation to Industry 4.0, in which smart and networked technologies play a pivotal role, is one of the primary drivers influencing market growth. Modular robotic systems are aligned with Industry 4.0 concepts because they offer intelligent, data-driven automation that can be readily incorporated into present operations. Modular automations’ capacity to implement several jobs on a single robotic platform makes them particularly suitable to companies looking for versatile and budget-friendly automation solutions.

Moreover, as technology advances, modular automation systems become more complex, with higher sensing potentialities, enhanced mobility, and improved AI integration. These advancements strengthen modular automation’s position as a pivotal facilitator for firms seeking to remain competitive in an increasingly automated and digital market. The modular automation market is estimated to rise steadily as companies across the world understand the necessity for adaptive and intelligent automation in bettering their operations.

Global Modular Automation Systems Market Restraints and Challenges:

Slow deployment of automation by the diagnostic and other laboratories

Budget constraints can be a limitation for small and medium-sized laboratories. They may also find it advantageous to use lab automation in their laboratory. Similarly, if they begin to operate the automation in their laboratory, the high maintenance and service charges related to the laboratory informatics solutions also cause a bottleneck for them. Budget constraints, low risk-taking abilities, and a lack of evidence on the cost optimization of automation solutions for small and medium-sized laboratories are affecting the growth of the market.

Availability of refurbished lab automation device

The obtainability of refurbished lab automation equipment is considered a key challenge for the growth of this market. DRE Medical, Inc. and Future Health Concepts are some companies providing refurbished lab automation solutions in the market. Presently, several end users are choosing refurbished systems as a result of the deteriorating healthcare expenditure in major healthcare markets across the world. In developing nations, which are considered price-sensitive markets, end users prefer cost-effective systems. Agreeing with these factors, the demand for refurbished lab automation is estimated to increase in the future years, as these systems provide the same functionalities as new equipment but at lower costs. This, in turn, is expected to affect the revenue of companies offering branded lab automation solutions in the market.

Global Modular Automation Systems Market Opportunities:

Increased adaptability in Manufacturing and Logistics

The modular robotics market offers significant opportunities, particularly in the manufacturing and logistics sectors, as the necessity for enhanced adaptability becomes increasingly significant. The capacity of modular robotic systems to rapidly adjust to alternating production requirements is a major benefit in manufacturing. Companies may quickly reconfigure these robots to function on a variety of jobs, narrowing manufacturing processes, minimizing downtime, and raising overall efficiency. This uniqueness is especially useful in companies with short product life cycles and frequent modifications in manufacturing setups required to suit market demands.

The strengthening of e-commerce and the requirement for efficient and scalable warehouse operations are influencing the demand for automation solutions in the logistics sector. Modular robots offer a solution by facilitating non-rigid automation that can be changed to undertake a variety of jobs like sorting, packing, and transportation. The uniqueness of modular robotic systems enables logistics Companies to narrow down operations, adjust to variations in demand, and grow order fulfillment speed and accuracy.

Moreover, as the ideas of Industry 4.0 gain hold, the combination of modular robots into smart production and logistics systems becomes more appealing. These systems can interact with other digital technologies, like the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics, to make a more linked and responsive environment.

MODULAR AUTOMATION SYSTEMS MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Modular Automation Systems Market Segmentation: By Type

• Distributed Control System (DCS)

• Module Type Packages

DCSes constitute control elements distributed throughout a plant or factory. These control elements involve computers, sensors, and controllers. Each element serves a specific objective, such as data collection, data storage, or process control. Unlike a centralized control system that works on all devices, a DCS facilitates each segment of a machine to have its dedicated controller that runs the operation. A DCS has various local controllers throughout the factory. A high-speed communication network links the local controllers. While each controller works individually on its own, there is central supervisory control run by an operator.

Modular process plants will have pre-automated modular units that can be added with ease, arranged, and adjusted according to the production requirements. This is achieved through the Module Type Package (MTP), a standardized technique facilitating interoperability between any module and orchestration system built within the MTP framework.

Global Modular Automation Systems Market Segmentation: By Application

• Medical

• Cosmetics

• FMCG

• Energy

• Others

By Application, the Medical segment is the dominant segment in the Modular Automation Systems market during the forecast period. Automation permits hospitals and diagnostic laboratories to transport and track patient samples and generate accurate results in the shortest period. This ensures preventive care through the rapid identification of diseases, increases productivity, improves patient safety, and aids reduce healthcare costs. Moreover, automation software lets hospitals track patient data and maintain a patient registry system to recall data quickly and easily, whenever needed.

Global Modular Automation Systems Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America

• Asia-Pacific

• Europe

• South America

• Middle East and Africa

North America, comprising the US and Canada, held the dominant share of the global market. The Healthcare industry in North America is a very well-established market for automation owing to the demand for speed, consistency, and accuracy. Biotechnology & pharmaceutical companies have also deployed laboratory automation to decrease the manual labor involved and save time. Development in the North American market is also encouraged by the demand for the integration of laboratory systems, growing government funding for research, development in biobanks, the necessity for early drug discovery, and stringent regulatory requirements.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Global Modular Automation Systems Market:

The COVID-19 epidemic has put all industries under a lot of strain, with teams growing capacity and rapidly growing testing menus while dealing with staff shortages and the necessity to keep working spaces safe and socially distinguished. Industries that have adopted process automation have been among the most successful in stopping disruption and even thriving in these tough conditions. Because of the flexibility that automated systems offer, forward-thinking industries have been able to quickly return to near-full productivity while still sticking to local social distancing regulations. When the limitations are relaxed and people can return, these industries will be in a great position to take the help of their automated procedures to develop their capabilities even further. COVID-19 has compelled diagnostic laboratories to increase testing capabilities and scale up services, putting primary strain on physical infrastructure as well as data management systems. The rise of high-throughput testing capabilities without scaling procedures in the digital environment may restrict the efficiencies that automation provides and may affect the integrity of the results. In the event of a global pandemic, mistakes in the processing of test results could have key consequences for the disease's spread and erode public confidence in testing measures.

Latest Trends:

Improvisation of healthcare infrastructure across emerging economies

Growing R&D activities, such as enhanced public and non-public investments, can be credited to improved healthcare infrastructure in emerging markets. There are estimated growth opportunities in emerging markets for modular automation product manufacturers during the expected period.

Key Players:

1. ABB

2. Festo

3. Ginolis

4. HIMA

5. Sojka Automation

6. modular automation GmbH

7. Yokogawa

8. Inniti

9. Inovatech Automation

Recent Developments

• In January 2023, Agilent Technologies, purchased Avida Biomed, an initial-stage life science firm that generates high-performance target-enrichment procedures with distinctive characters for clinical researchers using next-generation sequencing techniques to investigate cancer.

• In November 2022, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. partnered with PathAI for artificial intelligence-based digital pathology applications for enhanced patient care.

• In November 2022, PerkinElmer introduced ready-to-use adeno-related virus vector (AAV) detection kits to encourage researchers to study gene therapies.