Labcon and Polycarbin Join Forces to Revolutionize Sustainable Laboratory Practices

In a significant move towards sustainable scientific practices, Labcon North America, a leading manufacturer of Earth Friendly® laboratory disposables, has partnered with Polycarbin, a pioneer in sustainable laboratory solutions. This collaboration, announced on September 23, 2024, aims to establish a data-driven circular economy for life science and pharmaceutical companies, potentially reshaping the environmental impact of scientific research.

The partnership brings together Labcon's extensive portfolio of over 1,000 laboratory plastic items with Polycarbin's innovative circular economy platform. This union is set to address two critical objectives in the scientific community: implementing closed-loop recycling solutions and developing low-carbon laboratory products.

The first objective focuses on expanding Polycarbin's closed-loop recycling solutions to a broader audience of researchers. This initiative is crucial in diverting laboratory plastics from landfills and incinerators, instead keeping these materials within the supply chain for recycling and reuse. Such a move could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of research facilities worldwide.

The second objective involves the development of a groundbreaking line of low-carbon lab consumables. These products, crafted from circular economy resin, aim to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, making scientific research more sustainable. By incorporating third-party verified sustainability metrics into every product, Labcon and Polycarbin are enabling their customers to transform their consumables budget into a sustainability budget, effectively aligning financial decisions with environmental responsibility.

James O'Brien, CEO of Polycarbin, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating that it represents the industry's commitment to evidence-based sustainability. The collaboration offers world-leading scientific innovators products and end-of-life solutions that reduce their environmental footprint while enabling cutting-edge research.

Labcon's involvement in this partnership builds on its long-standing commitment to sustainability, which dates back to 1994. The company has been at the forefront of offering solutions to plastic waste in laboratories, from the Pagoda® pipette tip rack refilling solution launched in 1997 to the early adoption of cardboard to replace foam tube racks. Currently, Labcon boasts over 250 products carrying the ACT® Environmental Factor Label from MyGreenLab, providing consumers with clear, third-party verified information about the environmental impact of laboratory products.

Jim Happ, President of Labcon, highlighted that this cooperation with Polycarbin will provide researchers with clear benefits and help advance the industry beyond recycling to greater sustainability with circular solutions. This partnership not only demonstrates the commitment of both organizations to empower researchers and drive sustainability but also has the potential to create a significant positive impact on the scientific community and the environment.

The implications of this partnership extend far beyond the immediate benefits to researchers and laboratories. By creating a circular supply chain for laboratory plastics, Labcon and Polycarbin are setting a new standard for sustainability in scientific research. This could lead to a ripple effect across the industry, encouraging other companies to adopt similar practices and driving innovation in sustainable laboratory solutions.

Moreover, the development of low-carbon lab consumables could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of research facilities globally. As climate change continues to be a pressing global issue, initiatives like this play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors, including scientific research.

This partnership also highlights the growing trend of sustainability in the scientific community. As researchers become more aware of the environmental impact of their work, there is an increasing demand for sustainable laboratory practices and products. By meeting this demand, Labcon and Polycarbin are not only addressing a market need but also contributing to the broader goal of sustainable development in science and technology.