Delray Beach, Fla. – September 16, 2026 -- The global cryovials market is projected to grow from $0.24 billion in 2026 to $0.31 billion by 2031, expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%, according to MarketsandMarkets.
Cell and gene therapy demand drives fastest-growing application segment
The cell and gene therapy segment is set to register the highest CAGR among applications at 8.0%, fueled by expanding commercialization of CAR-T cell therapies, stem cell treatments, and gene-modified therapies. These advanced therapies require secure cryogenic storage across collection, processing, manufacturing, transportation, and administration to preserve cell viability. Manufacturers scaling from clinical to commercial production are prioritizing sterile, barcoded cryovials with secure closure systems compatible with automated storage.
Glass vials post 7.0% CAGR despite plastic's overall market lead
By material, glass cryovials are forecast to grow at the fastest rate of 7.0% CAGR, even as plastic vials held the largest overall market share in 2025. Glass demand is anchored in biopharmaceutical research, vaccine development, and biobanking, where chemical resistance and thermal stability protect sample integrity. Regulatory pressure from the FDA and EMA on cold-chain management and sample traceability is pushing laboratories toward validated, certified vial formats.
Academic and research institutes emerge as fastest-growing end-user segment
Academic and research institutes are projected to post the highest CAGR among end users at 6.5%, driven by rising investment in genomics, proteomics, and personalized medicine. Universities and government laboratories are increasingly adopting cryovials with 2D barcodes and automation-compatible formats to manage growing sample volumes and support reproducibility in collaborative research.
Asia Pacific set for fastest regional expansion through 2031
Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period, as manufacturers expand production and cold-chain distribution across China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Rising government funding for biomedical research and the establishment of hospital-affiliated biobanking and cell therapy centers are accelerating regional adoption of validated cryovial systems.
Ten global players dominate the competitive landscape
Key market participants include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Corning, Merck KGaA, DWK Life Sciences, Avantor, Eppendorf, SARSTEDT, Sumitomo Bakelite, Biologix Group, and Brooks Automation. Revenue growth across the sector is increasingly concentrated in sterile, high-performance, barcoded, and automation-compatible cryovials rather than basic manually handled storage products, even as conventional vials retain the bulk of unit sales in hospitals, biobanks, and diagnostic laboratories.