Single-use technologies (SUT) have significantly evolved since their inception in the 1990s, with their adoption now encompassing a wide range of disposable equipment and materials across various bioprocessing applications. The commercial-scale utilization of single-use bioreactors (SUB) has surged, increasing from 32.5% in 2019 to 43% in 2022, largely driven by the heightened demand for biologics and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Major pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen, Eli Lilly, and Merck, have recognized this trend, investing heavily in SUT capabilities to enhance their production flexibility and efficiency.
Proponents of SUT advocate for their advantages in cost efficiency, reduced contamination risks, and faster production times, while critics raise concerns about higher consumable costs and sustainability. However, real-world applications demonstrate that SUT can yield significant operational savings and efficiency improvements, often outperforming traditional stainless-steel systems. As biopharmaceutical manufacturing increasingly demands agility and scalability, the shift towards SUT represents a pivotal transformation in addressing contemporary production challenges.
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