Lower Carbon Plastic Solutions

With biobased Sustain solutions, we help you reduce environmental impacts without sacrificing performance or quality.

Plastics play a crucial role in laboratory and biomanufacturing processes, which drive scientific progress and breakthroughs. At Thermo Fisher, we recognize the environmental concerns associated with plastics and are committed to finding ways to reduce their impact.

 

Our Sustain solutions signify a breakthrough in plastics product offerings. These products are manufactured from plastic resins derived from second-generation biobased feedstocks, as opposed to fossil-based feedstocks, significantly reducing the product's carbon footprint. Sustain solutions do not require revalidation or retesting as the product is chemically and molecularly identical to the existing fossil-based version when using the mass balance approach. 

 

 

How can plastics have a lower carbon footprint?

There are various approaches to reduce the carbon footprint of plastic products such as reducing the amount of plastic used, increasing recycled content or sourcing the plastic resin from an electrified facility. The most impactful strategy though is to replace fossil feedstocks with biobased feedstocks, also referred to as bio-circular feedstocks. Common biobased feedstocks include used cooking oil and agricultural residues.

 

Biobased feedstocks are biological in origin and grown using photosynthesis, a natural form of carbon capture. The carbon sequestered, known as “biogenic removal,” often exceeds the total carbon footprint of the resulting plastic polymer. Our Sustain solutions come with documented carbon claims to support your climate goals.

 

Biobased traceability with ISCC PLUS Certification

Our Sustain solutions are certified by the globally recognized International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system. Sustain solutions do not require revalidation or retesting as the product is chemically and molecularly identical to the existing fossil fuel-based version. This is achieved using the mass balance approach, which helps ensure traceability through the supply chain.

ISCC PLUS certified Thermo Fisher facilities

Browse our biobased plastic consumables

PCR Plastics, Sustain Series

These PCR plastics brings together precision, reliability, and sustainability. They are manufactured from a biobased medical-grade virgin polypropylene that is chemically and molecularly identical to existing Thermo Scientific PCR plastics. These products are supported by the globally recognized International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system.

Sustainability impact: These products are made with renewable material. Polypropylene used in PCR plastics consists of ISCC PLUS certified, second-generation, biobased material, reducing carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) by 3.43 kg per kg of biobased polypropylene.

Browse our biobased products for bioproduction

Thermo Scientific BioProcess Containers (BPCs) with Bioproduction Sustain Program

This first-of-a-kind product contributes to the sustainability of biologics therapy manufacturing by leveraging biobased materials, rather than fossil fuel-based materials. The biobased BPC films build on Thermo Fisher’s existing Aegis and CX film offerings that are widely used and validated by customers.

Sustainability impact: These products are made with renewable material. Polypropylene used in the microfuge tubes consist of ISCC PLUS certified, second-generation, biobased material, reducing carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) by 3.43 kg per kg of biobased polypropylene.

Nunc Cell Factories with Bioproduction Sustain Program

A proven solution for large-scale production of cells, vaccines, and therapeutic proteins. Enroll in the Bioproduction Sustain Program and receive a detailed annual report that quantifies the emissions reduction achieved as a result of your Cell Factory purchases. 

Sustainability impact: These products are made with renewable material. Polystyrene used in Cell Factory

Systems consists of ISCC PLUS Certified, second-generation biobased material.

DNA Low Binding Snap Cap Microcentrifuge Tubes, Sustain™ Series

These microcentrifuge tubes are ideal for researchers in biotech, pharma, and forensics who need to ensure nucleic acid sample integrity and are also looking for more sustainable products. The tubes are produced with biobased material allocated on a mass balance basis. 

Sustainability impact: These products are made with renewable material. Polypropylene used consist of ISCC PLUS-certified, second-generation, biobased material, reducing carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) by 3.43 kg per kg of biobased polypropylene relative to the non–Sustain Series equivalent.

More criteria for designing to reduce environmental impact

Less hazardous products and waste

Minimizing hazardous materials and hazardous waste in the lab is a win for both safety and the environment.

More energy efficient

More energy efficient products help power your work and support lab sustainability. 

 

Responsibly packaged and shipped

Reducing packaging, replacing non-recyclable materials and shipping products at ambient temperatures when feasible.

Extending life of products and materials

Innovating ways to extend the useful life of products and materials.