What is holding Europe's laboratories back, and what will move them forward?

Never before has the willingness to change been so pronounced in Europe’s laboratories and yet laboratory staff have rarely felt so constrained. This is one of the key findings of the new Starlab Mood Barometer 2026, for which more than 360 laboratory employees from six European countries were surveyed.

Under the title 'Ready to unlock: What paralyses Europe's laboratories, which levers are effective', the study by Starlab International GmbH paints a multi layered picture. A growing willingness to innovate is colliding with structural barriers, financing pressures and rising levels of stress.

Financing becomes the biggest challenge

For the first time, lack of budget ranks as the biggest challenge facing laboratories. In 2026, 44 percent of respondents cite insufficient funding as their main problem. Just one year earlier the situation looked different. In 2025, rising prices for consumables dominated the industry’s concerns, with 42 percent identifying this as a big challenge.

Today the issue has shifted from price pressure to a more fundamental shortage of financial resources. "The problem seems to be less cyclical than structural. This is a warning signal," says Benedikt Geldmacher-Voss, Head of Starlab Group. "If financing becomes the number one concern, the entire future viability of the industry will come under pressure."

Savings are being made in the wrong places

57 percent of laboratories have introduced active cost cutting measures. This represents a slight decline compared with 64 percent in the previous year. Where the savings are being made, however, is cause for concern. 74 percent are reducing spending on equipment and infrastructure, precisely the areas where future research capacity is built.

54 percent have stopped new hires, despite the fact that the sector is already experiencing a shortage of skilled personnel. A further 22 percent have reduced funding for conferences and professional development. "Those who save on investing in the future are saving on their own foundations," warns Geldmacher-Voss. Employee satisfaction has also declined.

In 2025, 76 percent of laboratory employees said they were satisfied with their work. In 2026 that figure has fallen to 63 percent. One in three respondents now reports a high or very high level of stress.

The willingness to change is greater than ever

Despite these barriers, the study shows that the industry is thinking in a forward looking way. Sustainability is a clear example. 78 percent of laboratories have already implemented recycling programmes. 67 percent rely on collective ordering to conserve resources. 58 percent use reusable systems in their laboratories. 64 percent say they would be willing to use recycled materials if the quality is right.

In other words, the fundamental resistance to sustainable products has largely disappeared. When asked about their motivations, 42 percent cite environmental protection and 36 percent point to cost savings. Together, this means around 80 percent are driven by either environmental or economic incentives.

According to Starlab, digitization and artificial intelligence are also becoming established in laboratories. 46 percent already use AI occasionally, while 13 percent say they use it regularly. Only 15 percent fear losing their jobs as a result. Overall, the industry appears to be approaching the topic in a pragmatic and relatively relaxed way.

When it comes to future skills, interdisciplinary thinking ranks first at 61 percent. This is followed by digital skills at 54 percent and soft skills at 47 percent. A particularly notable finding is the importance placed on interpersonal ability. 64 percent of the laboratory employees surveyed rate social skills as equally important or more important than technical know-how. Germany leads this trend, with 74 percent holding this view.

Unleashing potential – the call to action

"The potential for change is there – it just needs to be unleashed. Ready to unlock means the keys are on the table," says Lennart Walter, Product Manager at Starlab, responsible for TipOne^®. The TipOne Recycling Service provides a clear example of how laboratories are willing to change behavior when the right framework is in place.

Laboratories return used PP packaging, which Starlab processes into granulate and uses to manufacture new racks, creating a fully closed material cycle. The development speaks for itself. Participation increased from 23 percent of registered customers in 2024 to 31 percent in 2025. Over the same period, the volume of granulate produced rose from 60 to 100 tonnes, representing growth of nearly 68 percent.

Walter adds, “Sustainability is not purely an environmental issue, but a cost factor. Those who think holistically across departmental boundaries can see that ventilation rates, temperatures and outdated routines offer considerable potential for savings. These savings can then be deliberately reinvested in AI skilled staff, future ready technology and sustainable processes.”

According to the Starlab Barometer, recycling programmes, interdisciplinary cooperation and a willingness to innovate are no longer wishful thinking in laboratories. Benedikt Geldmacher-Voss, explians, "The mood in Europe's laboratories may be cloudy and sometimes it takes rain for something to grow. However, sustainability, cooperation and a willingness to innovate have already been sown. The laboratories have the tools, the will and the knowledge. Now they need the right framework conditions, and the courage to question existing structures and change them themselves."

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