Automated Sample Storage Systems Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Automated Compound Storage Systems, Automated Liquid Handling Systems, Others), By End user (Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies, Academic and Research Institutions, Biobanks, Others), By Region and Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.14 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.51%
Fastest Growing Segment	Automated Compound Storage Systems
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 1.76 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market will grow from USD 1.14 Billion in 2025 to USD 1.76 Billion by 2031 at a 7.51% CAGR. Automated sample storage systems are robotic platforms designed to archive and retrieve biological or chemical specimens while maintaining precise environmental controls. The market growth is primarily supported by the increasing demand for large-scale biobanking in personalized medicine and the necessity for high-throughput sample management in drug discovery. These systems are further driven by the operational need to ensure sample integrity and data traceability which reduces human error in regulated clinical research environments.

However, the widespread expansion of this market is impeded by the high capital costs and the technical complexity associated with integrating these systems into existing laboratory infrastructures. This issue is compounded by a significant workforce gap regarding the specialized technical skills required to operate modern automated laboratories. According to the Pistoia Alliance, in 2025, 34% of industry professionals identified the shortage of skilled personnel as a significant barrier to the adoption of advanced laboratory technologies.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in R&D investment for drug discovery acts as a primary catalyst for the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly allocating substantial capital toward the development of novel therapeutics, necessitating advanced automated solutions to manage the colossal volume of compounds and biological samples with precision. High-throughput screening and the need for data integrity in regulated environments compel laboratories to transition from manual to automated storage to minimize human error and accelerate timelines. This financial commitment to innovation is evident in the industry's expenditure patterns. According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), November 2024, in the 'The Pharmaceutical Industry in Figures' report, the research-based pharmaceutical industry invested an estimated €55,000 million in R&D in Europe in 2024, underscoring the massive scale of operational demands that drive the adoption of sophisticated storage technologies.

Concurrently, the expansion of biobanking and government funding for life sciences infrastructure significantly propels market growth. As biobanks aggregate millions of biological specimens for genomic research and personalized medicine, the requirement for scalable, secure, and retrievable storage systems becomes critical. Governments and private entities are heavily investing to upgrade these facilities, ensuring they can handle exponential data and sample growth. For instance, according to UK Biobank, July 2024, in the 'Nearly £50 million unlocked for world-leading UK Biobank' announcement, a combined £16 million investment was secured to enhance the facility's storage infrastructure and cloud computing capabilities. This systematic upgrading translates into tangible market opportunities for storage providers. According to Azenta, Inc., in 2024, the company recorded $319 million in revenue from its Sample Management Solutions segment, reflecting the robust commercial demand for automated repository services and core storage products.

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Key Market Challenges

The technical complexity associated with integrating robotic platforms into existing laboratory infrastructures stands as a primary challenge hampering the expansion of the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market. While these systems are designed to ensure sample integrity, their effective deployment requires seamless interoperability with legacy Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Electronic Laboratory Notebooks (ELN). Achieving this connectivity is often difficult, as older digital frameworks may not support the sophisticated data exchange protocols of modern automated storage units. This incompatibility leads to fragmented workflows and prevents laboratories from realizing the full benefits of data traceability, thereby reducing the immediate return on investment for potential buyers.

This integration barrier significantly stalls market adoption, as organizations hesitate to commit to solutions that result in isolated pockets of information. According to the Pistoia Alliance, in 2025, 57% of industry professionals identified data silos as the top challenge impeding the effective use of data in laboratory environments. This statistic underscores the magnitude of the connectivity issue; when automated storage systems cannot be easily unified with the broader research ecosystem, the operational risks and implementation costs rise, causing decision-makers to postpone or scale back their investment in these advanced technologies.

Key Market Trends

The development of eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions is increasingly reshaping the market as laboratories strive to meet strict corporate sustainability mandates. Ultra-low temperature (ULT) storage is notoriously energy-intensive, prompting manufacturers to engineer automated systems with advanced insulation and variable-speed compressors that significantly reduce power consumption compared to traditional manual freezers. This shift is further accelerated by high-density storage designs that minimize the physical footprint and cooling volume required per sample, directly addressing the environmental impact of cold chain operations. According to My Green Lab, January 2025, in the '2024 International Laboratory Freezer Challenge' results, the adoption of sustainable cold storage best practices allowed participating laboratories to save a collective 31.8 million kWh of energy, highlighting the sector's tangible operational pivot toward green technologies.

Simultaneously, the integration of artificial intelligence for predictive analytics is transforming how automated systems manage critical inventory and instrument reliability. Beyond basic retrieval, modern platforms are utilizing AI algorithms to monitor component health in real-time, enabling predictive maintenance that averts mechanical failures before they jeopardize valuable biological assets. These intelligent systems also optimize retrieval workflows to minimize thermal fluctuations, ensuring higher sample quality during high-throughput processing. This technological trajectory mirrors a wider industry movement; according to RSI Security, August 2025, in the '2025 AI Trends in Healthcare & Life Sciences' report, 63% of industry professionals are already actively using artificial intelligence tools, driving storage providers to embed these capabilities to meet the evolving data-driven demands of life science research.

Segmental Insights

The Automated Compound Storage Systems segment is currently the fastest growing category within the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the escalating demand for high-throughput screening in pharmaceutical drug discovery, which necessitates the precise and rapid management of extensive chemical libraries. Biopharmaceutical organizations are adopting these automated solutions to mitigate human error and ensure sample integrity, which is vital for maintaining research validity. Furthermore, the strict requirement to maintain rigorous audit trails for compliance with regulatory standards, such as the FDA’s Good Laboratory Practice, continues to accelerate the integration of these systems.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market, driven by its established pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors that prioritize high-throughput research. This regional dominance results from substantial investments in drug discovery and genomic studies, which require precise and scalable sample management. Additionally, stringent regulatory frameworks enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandate rigorous standards for data traceability and sample security, compelling laboratories to implement automated solutions. The market is further strengthened by extensive funding for clinical research from institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), fostering widespread adoption of these systems.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Haier Biomedical introduced the ZhiRui Series, a new generation of automated liquid nitrogen storage solutions, to the market. This advanced system was designed to overcome challenges associated with traditional storage methods by automating key functions such as lid opening, tray rotation, and sample retrieval. The ZhiRui Series integrates intelligent monitoring and management capabilities, enhancing user safety and reducing the risk of sample damage. This product launch underscores the company's dedication to innovation in the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market, offering enhanced protection and efficiency for high-value biological samples.
• In May 2024, Hamilton Storage announced a significant collaboration to install four high-capacity BiOS automated storage systems at the UK Biobank's new headquarters in Manchester. These advanced systems were selected to store millions of biological samples collected from volunteers, facilitating vital research into the causes of diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The project, supported by a GBP £127.6 million (USD $158.6 million) award from the UK Research and Innovation Infrastructure Fund, highlights the essential role of automated storage technologies in managing large-scale biobanking resources and ensuring efficient sample access for the global research community.
• In February 2024, Azenta Life Sciences announced the launch of the BioArc Ultra, a breakthrough automated solution designed for high-density and eco-friendly ultracold sample management. This innovative system features a cooling mechanism that utilizes natural air rather than manufactured refrigerants, ensuring zero ozone depletion potential and supporting sustainability goals within the life sciences sector. The BioArc Ultra was developed to deliver significant operational efficiency, offering reductions in electricity power consumption and footprint compared to other commercially available manual options. This launch represents a major advancement in the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market, targeting large-scale biorepositories.
• In February 2024, SPT Labtech showcased the redesigned BioMicroLab XL20 automated tube handler at the SLAS International Conference and Exhibition. The updated system was engineered to increase processing speed by over 50%, thereby enhancing efficiency in critical sample management workflows such as labeling, tracking, and volume detection. This development reflects the company's commitment to providing robust and versatile benchtop automation solutions that address the evolving needs of laboratories. By streamlining routine tasks, the new XL20 allows researchers to focus on scientific discovery, reinforcing the company's position in the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market.

Key Market Players

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
• Beckman Coulter, Inc.
• Hamilton Company
• Azenta US, Inc.
• MEGAROBO Technologies Co.,Ltd.
• SPT Labtech Ltd
• LiCONiC AG
• MICRONIC
• ASKION GmbH
• Haier Biomedical

By Product	By End user	By Region
Automated Compound Storage Systems Automated Liquid Handling Systems Others	Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies Academic and Research Institutions Biobanks Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Automated Sample Storage Systems Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Automated Sample Storage Systems Market, By Product:

• Automated Compound Storage Systems
• Automated Liquid Handling Systems
• Others

• Automated Sample Storage Systems Market, By End user:

• Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies
• Academic and Research Institutions
• Biobanks
• Others

• Automated Sample Storage Systems Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE