Number of pages: 100 | Report Format: PDF | Published date: June 23, 2023
Historical Years – 2021 | Base Year – 2022 | Forecasted Years – 2023-2031
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market Size Value in 2022 |
US$ 195.12 million |
Revenue Forecast in 2031 |
US$ 223.09 million |
CAGR |
1.5% |
Base Year For Estimation |
2022 |
Forecast Period |
2023 to 2031 |
Historical Year |
2021 |
Segments Covered |
Type, Transfer Method, Application, End User, and Region |
Regional Scope |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa |
According to the deep-dive market assessment study by Growth Plus Reports, the global transfer membrane market was valued at US$ 195.12 million in 2022 and is expected to register a revenue CAGR of 1.5% to reach US$ 223.09 million by 2031.
Transfer Membrane Market Fundamentals
A transfer membrane, also known as a blotting membrane, is a type of thin sheet or filter used in molecular biology and biochemistry techniques to transfer or blot proteins, DNA, or RNA from a gel matrix onto the surface of the membrane. This process is typically performed after gel electrophoresis, where molecules are separated based on size and charge. Transfer membranes are made of various materials, including nitrocellulose, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), or nylon. These materials have the ability to bind biomolecules such as proteins or nucleic acids when properly treated. During the transfer process, the gel containing the separated molecules is placed in close contact with the transfer membrane, and an electric field is applied to facilitate the movement of the molecules from the gel onto the membrane. This transfer allows for further analysis or detection of the biomolecules using various methods, such as immunoblotting for proteins or hybridization for nucleic acids.
Transfer Membrane Market Dynamics
The continuous advancements in molecular biology techniques, such as Western blotting, Northern blotting, and Southern blotting, have increased the transfer membrane market demand. These techniques are crucial in protein analysis, gene expression studies, and molecular diagnostics, driving the need for high-quality transfer membranes. Chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders pose significant health challenges worldwide. Research efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases rely on techniques that require transfer membranes for protein analysis and biomarker identification. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is thus driving the transfer membrane market growth. According to the WHO, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for an estimated 17.9 million lives per year, or 32% of all fatalities worldwide. More than 75% of deaths occur in low and middle-income nations. Proteomics and genomics research have gained significant momentum in recent years. These fields involve the study of proteins and genes, respectively, and require transfer membranes for applications like protein transfer, DNA/RNA transfer, and hybridization. The expanding research in proteomics and genomics is fueling the demand for transfer membranes. Governments, academic institutions, and private organizations are investing significant funds in life sciences research. Such funding supports projects involving molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, and disease research, which all require transfer membranes. The transfer membrane market outlook is positive as automation is gaining prominence in laboratory workflows, including transfer membrane procedures. These systems often integrate with gel electrophoresis instruments, allowing for more efficient and standardized transfer of biomolecules.
However, transfer membranes can be relatively expensive, especially those made from advanced materials or with specialized properties. The cost of transfer membranes, particularly when used in high-throughput applications or large-scale studies, can pose a financial barrier for some researchers and institutions, which restricts the transfer membrane market growth. Transfer membranes are not universally compatible with all types of samples or experimental techniques. Certain samples or conditions may require specific membrane properties, such as pore size, charge, or binding capacity, that are not readily present in the commercially available transfer membranes, thus cramping the transfer membrane market growth.
Transfer Membrane Market Ecosystem
The global transfer membrane market is analyzed from five perspectives: type, transfer method, application, end user, and region.
Transfer Membrane Market by Type
Based on the type, the global transfer membrane market is segmented into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), nitrocellulose, and nylon.
The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) segment accounted for the largest transfer membrane market share, at 38.4% in 2022. PVDF membranes have a high binding capacity for biomolecules, such as proteins and nucleic acids. They can effectively retain and immobilize these molecules during transfer, ensuring efficient transfer efficiency and accurate detection. PVDF membranes exhibit excellent compatibility with a wide range of samples, including proteins, peptides, DNA, RNA, and other biomolecules. They are compatible with various detection methods, such as Western blotting, dot blotting, and immunoblotting, making them versatile for multiple applications. PVDF membranes offer exceptional chemical resistance, allowing for efficient transfer and detection even in harsh conditions. They can withstand exposure to organic solvents, acids, bases, and strong denaturing agents, making them suitable for a wide range of experimental protocols and sample treatments. PVDF membranes are mechanically robust and resistant to tearing, making them easy to handle during transfer and subsequent processing. They can withstand multiple washes, stripping, and reprobing steps without compromising their integrity, allowing for efficient reuse, and saving costs.
Transfer Membrane Market by Transfer Method
Based on the transfer methods, the global transfer membrane market is segmented into dry electrotransfer, semi-dry electrotransfer, tank electrotransfer, and others.
The dry electrotransfer segment has a prominent position in the transfer membrane market, with a 35.9% revenue share in 2022. Dry electrotransfer offers efficient and rapid transfer of biomolecules from gels to membranes. Compared to other transfer methods like wet transfer, dry electrotransfer requires less transfer time, typically ranging from a few minutes to an hour. Dry electrotransfer is generally more cost-effective compared to other transfer methods. It requires fewer buffer volumes, reducing the overall cost of consumables. Additionally, the absence of a separate buffer tank or large volumes of buffer solution results in lower running costs. Dry electrotransfer is compatible with various transfer membrane materials, including PVDF and nitrocellulose. It can accommodate different gel sizes, ranging from mini-gels to large-format gels, enabling flexibility in experimental setups. Dry electrotransfer requires significantly lower volumes of transfer buffer compared to traditional wet transfer methods. This reduction in buffer consumption not only reduces costs but also minimizes waste generation and environmental impact. Dry electrotransfer is well-suited for transferring delicate or sensitive samples, such as small proteins, peptides, or low-abundance biomolecules. The gentle and controlled transfer conditions in dry electrotransfer help preserve the integrity and structure of sensitive biomolecules, ensuring optimal detection and downstream analysis, which is also fueling the segment growth.
Transfer Membrane Market by Application
Based on the applications, the global transfer membrane market is segmented into Western blotting, Southern blotting, Northern blotting, and others.
Western blotting dominates the global market with a revenue share of 53.8% in 2022. Western blotting is a widely used and well-established technique in molecular biology and biochemistry research. It plays a crucial role in protein analysis and allows for the detection, quantification, and characterization of specific proteins within complex samples. Western blotting is extensively employed in various fields, including basic research, drug discovery, diagnostics, and biotechnology, leading to a high demand for transfer membranes specifically tailored for this technique. Western blotting offers high sensitivity in protein detection, allowing for the detection of low-abundance proteins in complex biological samples. Western blotting is frequently combined with immunodetection methods, such as primary antibody incubation followed by secondary antibody conjugated with a detectable marker.
Transfer Membrane Market by End User
Based on the end users, the global transfer membrane market is segmented into biopharmaceutical & pharmaceutical companies, academic & research institutes, diagnostic labs, and others.
The biopharmaceutical & pharmaceutical companies have the highest uptake of transfer membrane at a market share of 60% in 2022. Biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies invest significantly in research and development (R&D) to develop new drugs, therapies, and diagnostics. Transfer membranes play a crucial role in various stages of R&D, including protein analysis, nucleic acid transfer, and immunodetection. Biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies often operate on a large-scale production level, requiring a high volume of transfer membranes to support their research, development, and manufacturing processes. Biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies are involved in developing and producing drugs, therapeutic antibodies, vaccines, and diagnostic tests. Transfer membranes are integral components in various clinical and diagnostic applications, including immunoassays, protein profiling, biomarker discovery, and gene expression analysis. Biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies often require customized transfer membranes tailored to their specific needs, which often come at high price. They may have unique requirements for membrane size, pore size, protein binding capacity, or compatibility with specific detection methods. Transfer membrane manufacturers often collaborate closely with these companies to develop specialized products that meet their specific requirements, further contributing to the growth of this segment.
Transfer Membrane Market by Region
Geographically, the global transfer membrane market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.
The North America captures 35% share of the market in 2022. North America is home to a significant number of biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies that drive the demand for transfer membranes. These companies engage in extensive research and development activities, clinical trials, and manufacturing processes that require transfer membranes for protein analysis, nucleic acid transfer, and immunodetection. North America has a strong emphasis on proteomics and genomics research, which require transfer membranes for various applications such as Western blotting, DNA and RNA transfer, and protein profiling. The increasing focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms of diseases, drug discovery, and personalized medicine drives the demand for transfer membranes in proteomics and genomics research. North America boasts a well-developed research infrastructure, including academic institutions, research centers, and biotechnology companies. These entities conduct a wide range of scientific studies, drug development, and diagnostics research that rely on transfer membranes, which is also boosting the regional growth.
Transfer Membrane Market Competitive Landscape
The prominent players operating in the global transfer membrane market are:
Transfer Membrane Strategic Developments
A transfer membrane, also known as a blotting membrane, is a type of thin sheet or filter used in molecular biology and biochemistry techniques to transfer or blot proteins, DNA, or RNA from a gel matrix onto the surface of the membrane.
Asia Pacific can be considered the key growth region due to the surge in transfer membrane industry trends in China, Japan, and the Indian subcontinent.
The prominent players operating in the global transfer membrane market are Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Merck KGaA, PerkinElmer, Inc., Danaher Corporation, and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
The global transfer membrane market growth is estimated to be at a revenue CAGR of 1.5% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2031.
The estimated size of the global transfer membrane market in 2031 is US$ 223.09 million.
*Insights on financial performance are subject to the availability of information in the public domain