Balances are often overlooked in terms of their full environmental impact – from material sourcing to daily energy consumption and eventual disposal.
However, these instruments are essential to routine workflows and their inefficiencies can quietly add up. As labs seek to align operations with sustainability goals, even small improvements in equipment design can lead to significant resource savings over time.
This infographic highlights how modern lab balances are redefining environmental standards through material reuse, efficient energy use and end-of-life recyclability.
Download this infographic to discover:
- How sustainable design can cut lab equipment’s carbon footprint
- Specific features of Quintix® Pro Lab Balances that extend product lifespan and minimize waste
- The environmental impact of sourcing, packaging and logistics
Preparing for the
Future with Sustainable
Lab Balances
Minimize the Environmental
Impacts of Analytical Balances
Sourcing of Materials
Are materials recycled plastic,
glass, etc., or sustainability
sourced?
Does the supplier adhere to GMP
during materials manufacturing?
Shipping
Are balances packed efficiently
to minimize unnecessary space?
Have steps been taken to minimize
excessive packaging? Is transport
done with eco-friendly means of
transportation with efficient pallet
organization to maximize space?
Balance Use in the Lab
Does the balance have sleep mode
or standby power-down options?
Does the balance have dimming
functions and other energyreducing features?
Careful examination of features and
asking questions about the impacts
of your lab balance can prevent
unnecessary resource expenditure.
Beginning with raw materials
such as plastic and glass, a GMP
manufacturer begins sourcing
materials to make the balance.
The finished balances are then
packaged and shipped on pallets.
Balances are purchased and used
for the duration of their lifetime.
The raw materials are shipped to a
manufacturing facility, where the
balances are made according to
customer specifications.
Usability: They should be easy
to use, with...
▪ High resolution, easy-to-read displays
▪ Easy and intuitive instrument operation
capabilities
▪ Automated stability and a high level of weighing
accuracy for routine use without daily manual
recalibration, adjustment, or leveling
Flexibility: They must be adaptable
and...
▪ Able to fit with future infrastructure
▪ Adjustable for a wide variety of lab
infrastructure layouts
▪ Contain digitization options to reduce paper,
eliminate manual data entry, and reduce the
likelihood of data falsification and transfer errors
▪ Have different application programs and
language options
▪ Eliminate a typical barrier to global
implementation of universal equipment
Sustainability: They should be...
▪ Manufactured, shipped, and used in an
environmental responsible, sustainable manner
▪ Constructed of materials produced by a
GMP sourcing partner
▪ Produced in an environmentally conscious way
in every step of the production pipeline
Lab Balances Must Satisfy
Several Needs
Quintix® Pro
Redefining the Standard
Quintix® Pro Laboratory Balances deliver the performance you need, with added
premium features that raise the bar in usability, flexibility, and eco-conscience design.
Discover the Quintix® Pro
Speak With a Lab Weighing Expert
Lab balances are an essential piece of laboratory
infrastructure, required for a myriad of analytics.
From highly regulated pharmaceutical labs to R&D
institutions, balances must be adaptable to suit the
wide range of environments they are needed for.
However, with an increased focus on sustainable, environmentally conscious
manufacture and design, balances must be up to the task of meeting all of the
needs and goals of today’s evolving laboratory environment. From initial sourcing
of materials to acquisition of new equipment in the lab, the environmental costs of
equipment production add up throughout the life cycle.
The Life of a Lab Balance
Ensuring the environmental integrity of lab equipment begins well before the
balance arrives at the laboratory. Prior to receiving their balance, end-users
must be confident that each stage of the process from raw material sourcing to
delivery aligns seamlessly with their sustainability objectives.
Production | Manufacturing
Raw Materials
Distribution
Packaging
Product Design
Use Phase
End of Life
Raw Materials
The Quintix® Pro line utilizes aluminum
with a substantial recycled content
sourced within Europe, reducing its
carbon footprint. Prioritizing sourced
recycled materials further diminishes
the environmental impact. With 20%
recycled content in high-volume parts
like the carrier plate, the Quintix® Pro
conserves resources and supports the
circular economy.
Distribution
Quintix® Pro balances reach their
destinations through optimized
distribution channels, favoring
sea transport over air to enhance
environmental efficiency. Strategic
distribution hubs and consolidated
shipments further reduce the
carbon footprint. This logistical
approach ensures timely delivery
and demonstrates a commitment to
sustainable transportation practices.
Product Design
Energy efficiency is a key design
principle of the Quintix® Pro,
featuring low power electronics and
intelligent backlighting that dims to
save energy and extend product life.
The deepstandby mode cuts energy
use by more than half for an average
8-hour, 5-day-a-week operation. It
also features a digitized and integrated
manual, and operation instructions
into the Quintix® Pro user interface,
reducing the printed version by 30% to
lessen the environmental impact.
End of Life
As a Quintix® Pro balance nears
the end of its usable life, its design
facilitates easy disassembly for
recycling. Lack of restrictive
technologies, like adhesives, simplifies
the recycling process. This design
philosophy is consistent with the goal
of creating products with their end-oflife disposal in mind.
Production
At the heart of Quintix® Pro production
is the Göttingen, Germany facility,
where a significant portion of the
Quintix® Pro family is manufactured
using 100% renewable electricity. This
design also boasts a 91% recycling
rate and is on track for zerowaste
production by 2030. Every piece of
aluminum scrap is recycled, ensuring
full material utilization.
Packaging
Protective bags for Quintix® Pro
balances are made from 80% postconsumer recycled material, the
cardboard boxes contain 60% to
100% recycled material, and for the
Quintix® Pro with draft shield, the
recycled content in packaging has
been increased to over 70%. Most
packaging materials are also labeled
with recycling codes to streamline the
recycling process.
Use Phase
The balance is designed with
replaceable and repairable parts,
promoting longevity and reducing
the need for frequent replacements.
The Sartorius service model includes
a network of local service hubs close
to customers, reducing the need for
extensive logistics and further cutting
the overall carbon footprint.