Starlab Survey Shows Predicted Rise in Demand for Liquid Handling Materials in Europe in 2021

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In the Lab eNewsletter, Pharmaceutical Technology's In the Lab eNewsletter 03-03-2021, Volume 16, Issue 3

Starlab concluded that labs can expect a rise in demand for materials in the liquid handling field in 2021 due to 2020’s increased materials consumption and limited availability of liquid handling materials because of COVID-19.

Starlab International, a group of companies specializing in liquid handling technology and laboratory products, released their findings from a December 2020 survey evaluating current laboratory situations and the supplies of liquid handling materials in Europe. Starlab concluded that labs can expect a rise in demand for materials in the liquid handling field in 2021 due to 2020’s increased materials consumption and limited availability of liquid handling materials because of COVID-19.

According to a Feb. 4, 2021 company press release, Starlab surveyed 226 laboratory workers in Germany, Austria, Great Britain, Italy, and France. Of the 226 participants, 44% said their material supplies are currently arriving late or not at all; 42% are aiming to build their material inventories with a view to future peaks; 50% felt that liquid handling materials are currently harder to obtain because supplies to medical laboratories are being prioritized; and 56% said their greatest challenge has been the shortage of specialist staff.

All in all, the majority of survey participants expect 2021 to be another year of tension, with 26% saying the increase in demand for liquid handling materials will be around 25%; 8% predicting a rise to over 50%; and a total of 56% expecting it to remain at its current level, Starlab said in the press release.

“We are currently seeing a tense situation in all laboratories. The shortages are not only impacting hospitals and diagnostic laboratories responsible for combatting the coronavirus crisis,” said Klaus Ambos, managing director of Starlab International, in the press release. “This has been confirmed by another up-to-date survey among our European sales managers.”

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Ambos continued, “Many laboratory equipment suppliers are in a dilemma. Just because public and societal pressure is being driven higher by COVID-19, this does not mean that other areas of medicine should be allowed to suffer. So, we are endeavoring to balance the availability of material supplies.”

Source: Starlab