One highlight at the exhibition was bonded-plate technology. This thermoplastic plate is manufactured using an adhesive-free bonding process to enable contamination-free, customized fluid distribution, making it particularly suitable for space-constrained applications with very high cleanliness requirements. Compared with traditional hose connections or machined fluid components, bonded plates offer clear technical advantages in compactness, sealing and consistency of flow control. They can be widely applied to functions such as distribution and switching in point-of-care diagnostic devices, sample preparation, dialysis systems, reagent management and analytical instruments, as well as lab-on-a-chip testing and automated detection workflows. Additionally, in scenarios that require lightweight, compact solutions, compressed-air-driven end‑effector actuators also show promising application potential.
In the bioprocess field, Festo showcased three types of bioreactors on site — from laboratory benchtop bioreactors to stainless-steel reactors for batch production and recirculating bioreactors — covering the full chain from R&D laboratory use to scaled production. With biotechnology rapidly developing as a sustainable alternative to traditional manufacturing processes, Festo not only supplies individual components but can also tailor complete automation systems for customers, from control cabinets to the cloud. Through system integration and real-time data analysis, these solutions enable efficient and transparent process control.
In the interview, Marcus Kroll said customers’ core needs currently focus on two areas: first, more compact solutions to save space and reduce liquid consumption; and second, alternatives to fully in‑house development to lower development costs and shorten time to market. Addressing these needs, Festo’s products are already widely used across laboratory scenarios including clinical diagnostics, analytical instruments and bioreactors.
On regional differences in the scientific-instrument market, Marcus Kroll noted that North American and European markets share similar demand characteristics: customers generally emphasize technological advancement, including precision, throughput, reliability, low downtime and long service life. In the Chinese market, customers place greater emphasis on development speed and cost control, with different relative priorities for reliability, performance and longevity.
As a European company with a century-long history, Festo leverages its technology and engineering centers in the EU, the U.S. and China to provide localized technical support to global customers, helping optimize designs and meet validation requirements. At the same time, its global factories and supply-chain logistics network ensure stable delivery throughout a product’s lifecycle.
Festo has participated in analytica for many years and continues to use the platform to expand its business footprint in life sciences and laboratory automation. Marcus Kroll observed that laboratory operators are continually seeking efficiency gains and higher-performance testing methods, and that automation is a key enabler for achieving these goals.
He also extended an invitation to the Chinese market: at CPHI & PMEC in Shanghai from June 16–18 this year, Festo will present a one-stop offering “from lab automation to production scale” for the biopharma and life sciences industry at booth F06 in Hall W5 of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Exhibits will include fluid-bonded plates, VYKA and VYKC products, single-use bioreactors and liquid-handling solutions, and Festo looks forward to deeper exchanges and collaboration with Chinese customers.