The right range for you


From teaching labs to high-containment research facilities, Priorclave autoclaves produce results users can rely on.


The BASE range is ideal for everyday laboratory tasks, processing media, sterilising unwrapped instruments, glassware or waste.


SMART autoclaves, with their integrated vacuum technology, can tackle a much wider range of loads and produce drier results.


PERFORMANCE autoclaves combine steam-jacketing and vacuum systems to maximise throughput and effi ciency for “power users”.


Three distinct ranges, one manufacturing philosophy: precision-built autoclaves designed to perform fl awlessly, cycle after cycle, for modern scientifi c and industrial laboratories worldwide.


EV100-BASE EH150-SMART


Reliable, Flexible, Programmable, Affordable


Our clients' mission is at the heart of every machine we build. From ambitious start-ups to established pharmaceutical facilities, we build autoclaves that support critical research and production at different stages of growth.


Autoclaves are a mission-critical part of any facility. In fast-moving environments where results matter, researchers need equipment they can trust and a partner that keeps pace!


Backed by a fast, friendly service network trusted by researchers worldwide, we’re committed to keeping your work flowing day in, day out.


Get in touch with our team to see how we can support your work. sales@priorclave.co.uk


.com OFC - Priorclave.indd 1 27/01/2026 11:12 Feature Article


Cutting-edge sample preparation tools help laboratories to stay ahead of the curve


International CONNECTING SCIENCE, BRIDGING INNOVATION anILM MEDIApublication


Head Office - International Labmate Ltd Oak Court, Sandridge Park, St AIbans, Hertfordshire AL3 6PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1727 855574 • Fax: +44 (0)1727 841694 Amend your subscription: subscribe@intlabmate.com Other enquiries: info@intlabmate.com • sales@intlabmate.com ISSN 0143-5140


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In this Issue


Also available as an e-Journal at: labmate-online.com/ejournal/ Articles


6


14 Spotlight Features by Gwyneth Astles Publisher Michael H. Pattison


Director of Publications Marcus Pattison


michael@intlabmate.com marcus@intlabmate.com


International Sales & Marketing Manager Chris Jarvis


European Sales Manager John Hobbs-Morris


Online Manager Rob Parker


Guide Manager Sam Jackson


Guide Assistant Lisa Penn


Administrator Helen Wills


Senior Editor Alan Booth


chris@intlabmate.com john@intlabmate.com rob@intlabmate.com sam@intlabmate.com lisapenn@intlabmate.com helenw@intlabmate.com alan.booth@ilm.media.com Editor Gwyneth Astles


Production Manager Robert Battell


Production Team Caroline Belt Jill Mitchell


Finance Controller Mark Flin


Accounts Assistant Malgorzata Gentry


Credit Control Manager Rona Sellers


Subscriptions Manager Malgorzata Gentry


Market Research gwyneth@intlabmate.com robert@intlabmate.com


caroline@intlabmate.com jill@intlabmate.com


Heather Vincent-Browne heatherv@intlabmate.com mark@intlabmate.com malgorzata@intlabmate.com rona@intlabmate.com malgorzata@intlabmate.com Marstonbury Ltd


Industry News by Gwyneth Astles News


Research & Events News MEET OUR SALES TEAM Chris Jarvis


International Sales & Marketing Manager chris@intlabmate.com


John Hobbs Morris European Sales Manager


john@intlabmate.com News News & Views International CONNECTING SCIENCE, BRIDGING INNOVATION


Minimising sample loss with low-reactivity uncoated autosampler vials


In high-precision analytical workflows, even the vial can


influence your results. Microsolv’s RSA™ (Reduced Surface Activity) Autosampler Vials are uniquely engineered to eliminate a common source of variability - surface interactions - without relying on coatings. By starting with a cleaner, more inert glass surface, RSA™ vials help ensure your


samples stay true from injection to analysis.


Unlike coated vials that rely on surface treatments to reduce reactivity,


RSA™ vials are completely uncoated. Instead, they are manufactured using a proprietary process that inherently reduces surface activity in the glass itself. This eliminates the need for coatings, which can degrade over time or introduce unwanted variables into sensitive analyses.


Vials


By minimising reactive sites such as silanols, RSA™ vials provide a more stable and inert environment for your samples. This is especially critical when working with low- concentration or adsorption-prone compounds like peptides, proteins, and basic drugs.


Designed for universal compatibility with all major autosamplers, RSA™ vials are a practical upgrade for laboratories aiming to improve reproducibility and reduce variability. Whether you’re conducting pharmaceutical, environmental, or clinical research, these uncoated vials offer a dependable solution for high-performance workflows.


Explore how RSA™ vials can help reduce variability and improve your chromatography results.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/m6Wm and lilmt.co/PL/B2mR


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Expanded HPLC system enhances spectral insights for biopharma QC


Waters Corporation has added photodiode array (PDA) detection to its Alliance iS Bio HPLC product line, further supporting spectral analysis for biopharmaceutical development and quality control.


The enhanced system delivers up to 80× greater out-of-the-box sensitivity when paired with MaxPeak™ Premier columns, improves reproducibility more than threefold, and reduces carryover by up to two orders of magnitude. PDA detection enables multi- wavelength analysis, impurity profiling, and peak purity assessment.


Designed to minimise user error and streamline workflows, the platform is


available in four configurations for small- and large-molecule analysis. It is fully compatible with Waters’ Empower™ Chromatography Data System and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). The system has also been awarded ACT environmental certification by My Green Lab.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/Gw90


Custom degasser improves precision in polymer viscosity analysis Biotech Fluidics AB has collaborated with


Spanish polymer analysis specialist Polymer Char to integrate a customised DeGASi® degasser into Polymer Char’s Intrinsic


Viscosity analysers - optimising reliability and data quality for polymer characterisation.


In viscometric analysis, particularly relative viscometry, the presence of dissolved gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide in high- purity solvents can lead to microbubble formation during temperature shifts or flow changes. These bubbles can destabilise detector signals and introduce pressure


variations, compromising the accuracy and reproducibility of viscosity measurements.


By incorporating an optimised degasser, these risks are significantly reduced. The degasser continuously removes dissolved gases from the solvent stream, improving flow consistency and enhancing signal stability - both essential for robust analytical performance.


Alba Cárdenas, Intrinsic Viscosity product expert at Polymer Char, explained:“We turned to Biotech Fluidics for their deep expertise in degassing and their openness to customisation. The result is a degasser that


xxxxx@reply-direct.com Chromatography


fits seamlessly into our systems, delivering smoother flow and better signal-to-noise ratios, which are crucial for achieving high- quality, repeatable results.”


To learn more about Polymer Char and their fully automated instruments for polymer analysis, please visit ilmt.co/PL/XwbX


For further details about application optimised degassers please contact Biotech Fluidics.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/8o6R


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How brewers and cider makers can stay on top of ABV limits CHROMATOGRAPHY


Gas Chromatography HPLC 20 2


Luminescence, UV & Microplate Readers Spotlight


Spectroscopy Spotlight


Sample Preparation & Processing Spotlight


6


16


30


is 0.5%. For non-alcoholic beer and cider, even a fraction of a percent over can mean fines, product recalls, or losing vital retail contracts. With demand for alcohol-free products increasing year on year, the scrutiny on producers has never been higher.


The future of chromatography: How AI and automation are driving laboratory efficiency and decision-making


That is why many breweries and cideries are choosing the Ellutia 200 Series Gas Chromatograph. Compact, user friendly, and designed for real world production environments, the 200 Series GC with Flame Ionisation Detection (FID) delivers ethanol measurements with precision down to 0.01% ABV. For producers, that means knowing with confidence that their non-alcoholic beer and cider products meet regulatory standards, and keeping their promises to customers.


Published by International Labmate Ltd - Printed by Warners Midlands Plc


International Labmate is distributed to scientists, technologists, laboratory technicians and environmentalists throughout the Europe and Middle East, free of charge. The publication has the support of leading suppliers of equipment in the region and is displayed at the major exhibitions and conferences in these markets to attract additional readership.


International Labmate is a member of the following trade association:


For today’s brewers and cider makers, getting alcohol by volume (ABV) right is more than a quality issue, it’s a legal requirement and a matter of consumer trust. Whether you’re producing a traditional ale, a crisp cider, or a non-alcoholic beer or cider, accurate testing is


what ensures that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the glass.


John Beary, Agilent Technologies


In the UK, a drink labelled ‘alcohol free’ must contain no more than 0.05% ABV. In the United States and much of Europe, the limit


The benefits of bringing ABV testing in house go far beyond compliance. Producers can: confirm fermentation is progressing as


expected; verify alcohol free and non-alcoholic beer or cider claims before packaging; catch off target batches early, avoiding costly relabelling; maintain flavour consistency and


The pressure on labs to perform has never been greater. Recent reports show that 60% of lab professionals are experiencing significant downtime due to equipment failures, missed calibration schedules and challenges in locating critical lab assets, highlighting the urgent need for smarter, more connected lab infrastructure. Compounding the challenge, 64% of labs have already implemented cost-cutting measures across Europe, with many also coming up against severe budget constraints and staff reductions.


shelf stability across every release.


A leading global brewer recently adopted the 200 Series GC to protect its alcohol-free and non-alcoholic range. By running quick, routine checks on site, they confirmed every batch remained below 0.05% ABV, even at scale. The result was faster decision making, fewer risks of regulatory setbacks, and stronger trust from retail partners and consumers alike.


With straightforward workflows and minimal sample preparation, the 200 Series GC integrates seamlessly into production routines. From mid fermentation checks to final bottling validation, it gives brewers and cider makers the data they need to keep non-alcoholic beer and cider consistent, compliant, and ready for market.


As the low and no alcohol sector continues to grow, investing in accurate, in house ethanol testing is not just good practice, it’s essential.


Read the case study: ilmt.co/PL/Rwnk More information online: ilmt.co/PL/Ywe9


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Send your Press Releases to: pr@intlabmate.com


8


However, balancing the mounting financial and human resource pressure with client expectations, regulatory demands and the need for faster turnaround times isn’t easy. So how can labs improve efficiency and productivity while also ensuring accuracy and compliance? The answer is the application of advanced automation tools, including robots, and artificial intelligence (AI).


The concept – getting smart systems to carry out tasks with minimal direct human intervention – is straightforward; turning it into a reality requires a good understanding of the available technologies and a clearly defined set of objectives. For the best results, it’s also important to be able to access siloed data and implement workflows capable of operating across a range of tools.


Turning concepts into reality Published: January, February, March, April, May Buyers Guide, July, August, September, October, November.


Labmate UK & Ireland is distributed to scientists, technologists, laboratory technicians and environmentalists throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, free of charge. The publication has the support of leading suppliers of equipment in the region and is displayed at the major exhibitions and conferences in these markets to attract additional readership. Subscription outside of the UK & Ireland are £105.


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Labmate UK & Ireland is published six times per annum in tabloid format. In addition a most comprehensive “Guide to Laboratory and Environmental Equipment” printed in A4 format. It incorporates companies, products and dealers, mailed in May/June. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published, International Labmate and its offices cannot accept responsibility for claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers.


© All rights reserved by International Labmate Ltd. Reproduction in part or whole without written permission is strictly prohibited.


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In the field of chromatography, collaborative robots, or ‘cobots,’ are transforming efficiency and precision. These advanced machines are engineered to work alongside


human operators, enhancing their capabilities by taking on repetitive, time-consuming tasks.


The ability of cobots to execute complex analytical protocols that demand a high degree of accuracy and consistency enhances the reliability and precision of the processes. This is particularly critical in the pharmaceutical industry, where accuracy is paramount to ensure the safety and efficacy of products.


Also, by performing routine and labour-intensive tasks, cobots enable labs to process a higher volume of work, without compromising on quality, freeing up human operators to focus on more valuable scientific and problem- solving tasks.


Cobots can also provide economic benefits as the efficiencies gained from their use, and the consequent reduction in the need for manual labour, can result in significant cost savings. Their adaptability and flexibility – they can be easily reprogrammed and repurposed – enables them to seamlessly integrate into a variety of chromatography workflows, adapting as the demands of the industry evolve.


INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - FEBRUARY 2026 The power of AI


AI is also becoming an integral tool in chromatographic and mass spectrometric (MS) analysis, particularly in the fields of biopharmaceutical development and drug discovery. Its application not only enhances data processing, interpretation, and decision-making processes, it also makes them more efficient and accurate.


For example, AI-powered systems can now handle routine tasks, such as sample processing, data analysis and report generation, while also reducing the risk of human error, leading to more reliable results. Importantly, it frees up lab staff to focus on higher-value tasks that support innovation and value creation.


Ensuring peak performance


Increasing peak detection and quantification levels are one of the key areas where AI can make a substantial impact. Machine learning algorithms can be trained to accurately identify and differentiate between peaks, even in complex chromatograms where peaks can co-elute.


This issue will be read by over 12,000 readers*


This is further enhanced by AI’s ability to optimise integration parameters, such as baseline correction and peak width, ensuring more accurate quantification results. It can also extract additional information from chromatography data, such as peak area, height and retention time, which further refines the accuracy of quantifications.


A collaborative environment


It’s very hard to extract the maximum value from siloed data, which can occur when there is insufficient integration between departments, systems, or applications. This is particularly prevalent in industries that use a diverse range of data sources and proprietary technology formats spread across a number of geographical locations. As a result, there is a concerted drive to move away from vendor specific/proprietary technologies.


The Allotrope Foundation, an international consortium of pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and other scientific research-intensive industries, is involved in breaking down these silos to enable seamless data integration. Its open- access data initiatives aim to create a more collaborative environment for data sharing and integration, particularly within the scientific community.


2 INTERNATIONAL LABMATE - FEBRUARY 2026


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