Thermo Scientific™ Sustain™ Series PCR Plastics: Reducing Environmental Impact without Sacrificing Performance
Introduction
Sustain™ Series PCR Plastics such as those in Figure 1 are designed to deliver accurate and reproducible PCR data while keeping the environment in mind. The biobased polypropylene resin used in their construction is manufactured from a second-generation, bio-circular feedstock (waste and residual oils) under a mass balance approach. Bio-circular feedstocks include materials that are considered waste or processing residue at the beginning of the supply chain, which are not landfilled or energetically used, but instead reused, further used, or recycled in a loop without dropping out of the economy.[1] These feedstocks have a lower environmental footprint compared to virgin fossil fuel-based feedstocks and the mass balance chain-of-custody is certified by the globally recognized International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system.
The Impact of Biobased Materials in Manufacturing
Incorporating biobased material leads to a decrease in the requirement for virgin fossil fuel feedstock, thereby resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Each kilogram (kg) of biobased polypropylene resin used in these products reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 3.43 kg CO2e.[2] This is equivalent to 1.96x lower CO2e emissions per kg of biobased polypropylene resin compared to traditional fossil fuel-based resin. Transitioning to biobased products can thus support customers in meeting their Scope 3 emission reduction targets.[3]
Figure 1. Thermo Scientific™ Sustain™ Series PCR Plastics
Key Attributes of Sustain™ Series PCR Plastics
As well as the environmental benefits described above, Sustain™ Series PCR Plastics are designed without compromising on product quality or performance. Manufactured in a Class 100,000 cleanroom under ISO 9001 guidelines, the series has several key attributes as follows:
- Uniform, ultra-thin walls to enable maximum and consistent heat transfer for equally high performance with every sample
- Visual inspection and electrostatic testing of each well for defects and contaminants. Every lot is run through a PCR cycling test to evaluate sealing
- Certification as free from DNase, RNase, human DNA, and PCR inhibitors to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of PCR results
- Compatibility with Applied Biosystems™ thermal cyclers and a wide range of other popular instruments
A variety of product formats exist to meet specific PCR or qPCR needs, including PCR plates (96-well and 384-well) and strip tubes with attached or separate caps (packaged either together or separately). By choosing Sustain™ Series PCR Plastics, researchers can get accurate, reproducible results while contributing to a greener future and demonstrating a commitment to more responsible sourcing of laboratory plastics through products that really are Greener by Design™.
References
1 ISCC. Feedstock Category: Bio-Circular. iscc-system.org/markets/feedstocks/bio-circular/
2 Product carbon footprint data provided by the manufacturer of the biobased polypropylene resin. Fossil-based polypropylene has a cradle-to-gate footprint of 1.75 kg CO2e/kg of resin. Biobased polypropylene has a footprint of –1.68 kg CO2e/kg of resin. This includes cradle-to-gate fossil-based emissions (0.96 kg CO2e/kg), biogenic emissions (0.77 kg CO2e/kg), and biogenic removals (–3.41 kg CO2e/kg).
3 Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Standard. ghgprotocol.org/corporate-value-chain-scope-3-standard
Featured Products
Thermo Scientific™ PCR Plate, 96-well, non-skirted, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific PCR Plate, 96-well, non-skirted, Sustain Series, is for use in PCR and qPCR applications and has a 0.3 mL well volume when paired with adhesive films or foils.
Thermo Scientific™ EasyStrip™ Plus Tube Strip with Attached Ultra Clear Caps, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific EasyStrip Plus Tube Strip with Attached Ultra Clear Caps, Sustain Series, is designed to reduce the risk of cross-contamination in PCR and qPCR assays.
Thermo Scientific™ Domed PCR Caps, strips of 8, Sustain™ Series
Thermo Scientific™ Domed PCR Caps, strips of 8, Sustain Series, are designed to work with PCR plastics and Sustain Series standard low profile strip tubes and 96-well plates.
Thermo Scientific™ Tubes and Flat Caps, strips of 8, Sustain™ Series
Thermo Scientific Tubes and Flat Caps, strips of 8, Sustain Series, are designed for PCR applications and are suitable for 0.2-mL thermal cycler blocks and 96-well V-bottom thermal cyclers.
Thermo Scientific™ PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific PCR Plate, 96-well, segmented, semi-skirted, Sustain Series, provides superior rigidity and space for barcoding. The patented segmented design of this plate allows it to be cut into 24- and 48-well sections.
Thermo Scientific™ Tubes and Domed Caps, strips of 8, Sustain™ Series
Thermo Scientific Tubes and Domed Caps, strips of 8, Sustain Series, are designed for PCR applications and are suitable for 0.2-mL thermal cycler blocks and 96-well V-bottom thermal cyclers.
Thermo Scientific™ PCR Plate, 96-well, low profile, non-skirted, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific PCR Plate, 96-well, low profile, non-skirted, Sustain Series, has shorter wells than the standard profile plate, decreasing the 'dead space' between the heated lid of the thermal cycler and the sample.
Thermo Scientific™ EasyStrip™ Plus Tube Strip with Attached Flat Caps, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific EasyStrip Plus Tube Strip with Attached Flat Caps, Sustain Series, is designed to reduce the risk of cross-contamination in PCR assays.
Thermo Scientific™ PCR Plate, 384-well, standard, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific PCR Plate, 384-well, standard, Sustain Series, is compatible with the majority of 384-block PCR and sequencing instruments.
Thermo Scientific™ PCR Plate, 96-well, low profile, skirted, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific PCR Plate, 96-well, low profile, skirted, Sustain Series, has a low-profile, thin well wall design and is compatible with PCR and qPCR applications.
Thermo Scientific™ Flat PCR Caps, strips of 8, Sustain™ Series
Thermo Scientific Flat PCR Caps, strips of 8, Sustain Series, are designed to work with PCR plastics and Sustain Series standard low profile strip tubes and 96-well plates.
Thermo Scientific™ Low Profile Tubes and Flat Caps, strips of 8, Sustain™ Series
Thermo Scientific Low Profile Tubes and Flat Caps, strips of 8, Sustain Series, reduce the 'dead space' between the heated lid of the thermal cycler and the sample.
Thermo Scientific™ Low Profile Tubes and Ultra Clear Caps, strips of 8, Sustain™ Series
Thermo Scientific Low Profile Tubes and Ultra Clear Caps, strips of 8, Sustain Series, reduce the 'dead space' between the heated lid of the thermal cycler and the sample.
Thermo Scientific™ PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, Sustain™ Series
The Thermo Scientific PCR Plate, 96-well, semi-skirted, flat deck, Sustain Series, is compatible with most thermal cyclers and ABI platforms, including sequencers, with no adapters necessary.
Thermo Scientific™ Tubes and Ultra Clear Caps, strips of 8, Sustain™ Series
Thermo Scientific Tubes and Ultra Clear Caps, strips of 8, Sustain Series, are designed for PCR and qPCR applications and are suitable for 0.2 mL thermal cycler blocks and 96-well V-bottom thermal cyclers.
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