Economic Impact 
of Biofilms
Wherever microbes either cause a problem or create an opportunity, to humans, animals or the 
environment, then the communities in which they live (biofilms) have a role to play. NBIC carried 
out a study to quantify the value of the markets in which biofilms are involved. The study titled 
Economic significance of biofilms: a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral challenge was published 
in NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes in 2022. We conservatively estimate this is $5tn globally. 
Our study has shown that although biofilms are diverse in their impacts on humans, animals and the 
environment, there are scientific and technological challenges that are common to many sectors as described 
in the NBIC interventional themes of Prevention, Detection, Management and Engineering. These common 
challenges underpin the need for the research and innovation occurring across all these sectors to be well 
connected as a community via NBIC, so that early breakthroughs can be exploited, and solutions from 
one sector considered in other fields. We exist to match solutions and needs in an effective and efficient 
manner. This is critical in order to achieve economic and societal benefits as well as developing the skills and 
knowledge scientists and technologists need to understand and solve both problems and the opportunities.
We created eight infographics to reflect the results of this study, and to show the huge impact that biofilms 
have on our global economy. You can download the infographics for free and access the study from the 
Economic Impact of Biofilms page on our website. Please scan the QR code to access the page.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF 
BIOFILMS PAGE
ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE 
OF BIOFILMS STUDY

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.