We are cost-competitive and aligned with global ESG framework demands

From dependence on imported single-use products and containment solutions, India's biologics sector can today access domestically manufactured SUTs, which can be 20–30 per cent more cost-effective than imported counterparts.

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The biologics sector is very dependent on single-use products and containment solutions. For example, the COVID pandemic exposed the vulnerability of vaccine makers to being import-dependent. Has the situation changed since then? What is the price differential for imported and Made in India single-use solutions, and how do they fare in terms of meeting global quality norms?

Joshi: The biologics industry's reliance on SUTs and containment solutions is a necessity driven by the need for flexibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness in the production of complex biological therapies. Yes, India was badly exposed during the pandemic, particularly as manufacturers were heavily reliant on imported single-use components from the US and the EU. However, since then, domestic manufacturing has surged significantly. The single-use bio-processing systems market in India jumped from $508.9 million in 2024 and is expected to reach $1,975.7 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 18.48 per cent. We see this as real progress.

While exact price differentials vary by product, anecdotal industry estimates suggest that domestically manufactured SUTs can be 20-30 per cent more cost-effective than imported counterparts, primarily due to reduced logistics costs and favorable duty structures, and the quality is aligning with global GMP standards and CDSCO's increasingly stringent validation protocols. We're also seeing growing investment in indigenous innovation, tech-transfer partnerships with global firms and acquisitions.

What is the carbon footprint of single-use products, especially when companies will have to follow ESG norms of India as well as the countries to which they export?