Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important consideration across life sciences and laboratory environments.
In many applications, adopting more sustainable materials may involve balancing environmental benefits with technical performance. Cryogenic storage, however, leaves very little room for compromise.
When biological samples are stored at ultra-low temperatures for extended periods, reliability remains the primary requirement. Material performance, closure’s integrity, purity and traceability are all expected to perform consistently under demanding conditions.
The question is therefore not whether a material is biobased.
The real question is whether a biobased product can meet the same demanding requirements expected in cryogenic storage applications.
Why Cryogenic Applications are Different
Cryogenic applications operate under conditions where performance requirements are particularly stringent.
Beyond temperature resistance, storage systems must support secure closure, reliable identification and the purity standards required for sensitive biological samples.
For this reason, the introduction of alternative raw materials often raises a legitimate question: can sustainability be integrated without affecting the characteristics laboratories and biobanks depend on?
Looking Beyond Material Origin
In cryogenic storage, sustainability may influence material selection, but it does not change the technical requirements the product is expected to meet.
BIOBased CryoGen® tubes by Biosigma were developed around this principle: introducing renewable raw materials while maintaining the specifications required for cryogenic storage applications.
Manufactured using at least 90% ISCC-certified biobased plastic (excluding the sealing gasket), these tubes are produced according to a mass balance approach based on certified renewable feedstocks.
At the same time, BIOBased CryoGen® tubes incorporate features required in cryogenic workflows, including sterility (SAL 10⁻⁶), bi-injected cap technology, certified free from human DNA, DNase, RNase, ATP, pyrogens and PCR inhibitors, the availability in both 1D and 2D coded formats, and suitability for storage applications down to liquid nitrogen vapor phase temperatures.
Rather than redefining the requirements of cryogenic storage, the objective is to meet those requirements while introducing a more sustainable material approach.
Beyond Environmental Claims
As sustainability becomes a growing consideration in laboratory procurement, discussions around sustainable materials are gradually moving beyond environmental claims alone.
For cryogenic storage, the key consideration remains unchanged: evaluating products according to the same technical criteria regardless of material origin.
Performance requirements do not change because a product is biobased.
Sustainability becomes relevant when those requirements continue to be met while reducing reliance on fossil-based raw materials.
For cryogenic applications, sustainability and performance should not be viewed as alternative objectives.
The goal is to achieve both.
About the Author
Biosigma S.p.A., founded in 1988, provides disposable plastic items for biotechnology, research, clinical chemistry and pharmaceutical laboratories. Our CLEARLine® products are ideal for the most sensitive applications. Products are manufactured under strict quality standards and certified by our internal laboratory.
