The Global Permeable Support Market was valued at USD 285.7 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 487.2 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.9% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is driven by the expanding life sciences and biotechnology sectors, increasing pharmaceutical R&D expenditure, and the widespread adoption of advanced 3D cell culture techniques for more physiologically relevant research outcomes.

As the demand for sophisticated cell-based assays and drug screening models intensifies, the focus shifts to the specialized manufacturers who provide the critical tools enabling this research. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Permeable Support Industry—a group of established life science giants and specialized suppliers shaping the future of biomedical research and drug discovery.

---

🔟 1. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Nunc™ Cell Culture Inserts, Transwell® Permeable Supports

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a dominant global leader in the life sciences sector, offering a comprehensive portfolio of cell culture products. Their permeable supports, including the industry-standard Transwell® inserts (acquired via the Gibco brand), are widely used for transport studies, co-culture models, and barrier function assays in drug discovery and toxicology.

Innovation Focus:

• High-throughput compatible formats for screening applications
• Coatings with collagen, Matrigel®, and other extracellular matrices
• Integration with automated liquid handling systems

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Permeable Support Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

9️⃣ 2. Corning Incorporated

Headquarters: Corning, New York, USA
Key Offering: Transwell® Permeable Supports, Falcon® Cell Culture Inserts

Following its acquisition of the Discovery Labware business from Becton Dickinson, Corning became a powerhouse in cell culture consumables. The company manufactures a vast array of permeable supports with various membrane types (polycarbonate, polyester), pore sizes, and surface treatments to support diverse research needs from basic science to complex organoid cultures.

Innovation Focus:

• Development of specialized membranes for air-liquid interface cultures
• Enhanced optical clarity for high-resolution imaging
• Scalable solutions for bioprocessing and regenerative medicine

---

8️⃣ 3. Greiner Bio-One International GmbH

Headquarters: Kremsmünster, Austria
Key Offering: CELLSTAR® Cell Culture Inserts, Bio-One Permeable Supports

Greiner Bio-One is a leading manufacturer of premium plastic labware for cell culture and diagnostics. The company’s permeable supports are recognized for their consistent quality, biocompatibility, and innovative design features that minimize edge effects and improve experimental reproducibility in co-culture and migration assays.

Innovation Focus:

• ThinCert® inserts with thin membranes for improved nutrient diffusion
• Specialized designs for angiogenesis and metastasis research
• Sustainable manufacturing practices and recyclable packaging

---

7️⃣ 4. Eppendorf SE

Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
Key Offering: Cell Culture Inserts, Permeable Support Systems

Eppendorf is a renowned manufacturer of laboratory instruments and consumables. Their permeable support products are engineered for precision and reliability, catering to demanding applications in academic research and pharmaceutical development. The inserts are designed for seamless integration with Eppendorf’s instrumentation ecosystem.

Innovation Focus:

• Focus on user ergonomics and ease of handling
• Compatibility with advanced live-cell imaging systems
• Support for complex 3D tissue model development

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Permeable Support Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

6️⃣ 5. Sarstedt AG & Co. KG

Headquarters: Nümbrecht, Germany
Key Offering: Permeable Cell Culture Inserts, Tissue Culture Equipment

Sarstedt is a major global supplier of laboratory and medical equipment. The company offers a range of permeable supports that are valued for their German-engineered quality and consistency. Their products serve a broad customer base in clinical diagnostics, research institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry across Europe and North America.

Innovation Focus:

• Sterilization validation and lot-to-lot consistency
• Development of application-specific insert designs
• Expansion of distribution networks in emerging markets

---

5️⃣ 6. Merck KGaA (MilliporeSigma)

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Millicell® Cell Culture Inserts, Specialty Membranes

Operating as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada, Merck KGaA’s Life Science business provides a sophisticated range of Millicell® permeable supports. These products are particularly prominent in specialized research areas requiring precise membrane characteristics, such as neuroscience (for blood-brain barrier models) and epithelial biology.

Innovation Focus:

• Proprietary membrane technologies (e.g., PTFE, PCF)
• Pre-coated inserts for specific cell types
• Products tailored for regulated environments (GMP/GLP)

---

4️⃣ 7. SABEU GmbH & Co. KG

Headquarters: Westerstede, Germany
Key Offering: Medical and Laboratory Membranes, Custom Permeable Supports

SABEU is a specialist in high-precision plastic components and membrane technologies for medical and laboratory use. The company is a key supplier of specialized membranes and custom-designed permeable supports, often serving as an OEM partner for larger life science companies and developing bespoke solutions for unique research applications.

Innovation Focus:

• Custom membrane manufacturing with precise pore size control
• Development of biocompatible and biodegradable polymer options
• Collaborative R&D partnerships with academic and industrial clients

---

3️⃣ 8. Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Medical Grade Polymer Products, CellCulture inserts

Sumitomo Bakelite is a leading Japanese chemical company with a strong focus on high-performance plastics for healthcare applications. The company’s permeable supports leverage their expertise in polymer science to produce highly consistent and reliable products that are particularly dominant in the Asian biotechnology market.

Innovation Focus:

• Advanced polymer formulations for enhanced cell attachment
• Expansion of product lines for regenerative medicine applications
• Strategic focus on the growing Asia-Pacific biopharma sector

---

2️⃣ 9. BRAND GmbH + Co. KG

Headquarters: Wertheim, Germany
Key Offering: Liquid Handling Consumables, Brand® Permeable Supports

BRAND is a respected manufacturer of laboratory instruments and consumables, with a strong reputation in liquid handling. Their permeable supports are designed with a focus on practical laboratory workflows, offering reliable performance for routine cell culture applications and specialized research needs in microbiology and cell biology.

Innovation Focus:

• Ergonomic design for easy media changes and sampling
• Cost-effective solutions for high-volume screening labs
• Quality control systems ensuring product reliability

---

1️⃣ 10. CELLTREAT Scientific Products

Headquarters: Pepperell, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Affordable Cell Culture Inserts, Permeable Supports

CELLTREAT Scientific Products specializes in providing high-quality, cost-effective alternatives to premium-brand cell culture consumables. The company has carved a significant niche by offering reliable permeable supports at competitive price points, making advanced cell culture techniques more accessible to academic labs and smaller biotechs with budget constraints.

Innovation Focus:

• Value-oriented product development without compromising quality
• Rapid response to emerging market needs and custom requests
• Strategic sourcing and manufacturing for cost efficiency

Get Full Report Here: Global Permeable Support Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

🧫 Outlook: The Future of Permeable Supports Is Smarter and More Specialized

The permeable support market is undergoing a significant transformation. While standard inserts continue to serve fundamental research needs, the industry is rapidly advancing toward specialized, application-specific designs that enable more complex and physiologically relevant experimental models.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rising adoption of 3D cell culture and organ-on-a-chip technologies

• Increased demand for pre-coated and functionalized membranes

• Growth in personalized medicine driving need for patient-derived cell models

• Integration of permeable supports with automated screening platforms

Get Full Report Here: Global Permeable Support Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential research tools—they’re enabling the next generation of biomedical discoveries by providing the foundational technologies for advanced cell culture applications.