Lab and pharma glassware market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market for laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware in Spain demonstrated steady import demand between 2018 and 2024, with imports consistently ranging from $36.9 million to $50.9 million. The calculated market size remained stable at approximately $67-70 million from 2021 to 2023. This stability occurred alongside a significant contraction in domestic production value, which fell from over $40 million in 2021 to under $30 million in 2023, indicating that stable overall demand was increasingly met by imported goods.

Specific market drivers became prominent in 2023 and 2024. The Spanish pharmaceutical market itself grew by 8.4% in volume, directly increasing the need for safe, inert glass packaging, particularly for sensitive biologics and biosimilars. Simultaneously, rising environmental awareness and demand for sustainable packaging solutions strengthened the preference for recyclable glass within the industry. These factors helped sustain overall market volume, compensating for the decline in local production with increased imports.

The market's structure was also reshaped by corporate consolidation, such as the integration of MERVILAB S.A. into CALIBRE SCIENTIFIC, which modernized the supply base. Strict European regulations on pharmaceutical labeling and packaging continued to favor glass for its superior protective properties. Concurrently, manufacturers introduced innovations like energy-efficient production and lighter glass bottles to align with broader sustainability goals, influencing the available product mix in Spain.

Production lab and pharma glassware in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of lab and pharma glassware in Spain.

Exports lab and pharma glassware from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's exports of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 409 tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 37.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 7.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 839 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 35.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Portugal were the key partners for Spain's exports of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware in volume terms. Italy accounted for 31.9% of exports, France for 13.5%, and Portugal for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 57.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware exports from Spain has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 12 693 thousand US dollars, showing a significant gain of 29.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28.4%, with an annualized rate of 8.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 529 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, Italy, Cuba, and Algeria were the main markets for Spain's exports of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware in value terms. Italy made up 30.4% of exports, Cuba 11.5%, and Algeria 8.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 50.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports lab and pharma glassware to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 4 473 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 22 319 tonnes, with a fivefold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totalled 14 613 tonnes, representing a steep decline of 34.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018 at 44.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 399.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, Bulgaria, and Germany were the primary suppliers of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware to Spain in volume terms. France contributed 26.9% of imports, Bulgaria 18.6%, and Germany 17.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 62.8% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain imported 43 968 thousand US dollars worth of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware, equivalent to a strong gain of 19.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 18.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 36 943 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2018 at 46 512 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 20.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 24.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Italy remained the principal suppliers of laboratory and pharmaceutical glassware to Spain in value terms. Germany accounted for 28.7% of imports, France for 13.1%, and Italy for 9.8%. Jointly, these three suppliers represented 51.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020