Eppendorf AG and Klüber Lubrication launches a lubricant packaging kit

Eppendorf AG and Klüber Lubrication have jointly launched a lubricant packaging solution for use in laboratories called a reaction tube. The tube has a lid of the Eppendorf Safe-Lock Tubes commonly known as Eppi™, which is quickly and easily resalable, even if the user only has one free hand to do so.

The tube which is manufactured by Eppendorf will be filled with Kluber’s lubricant. The tube was developed to ensure small amounts of the special lubricant is enough for several re-lubrications on the piston and the inside of the cylinder in which the piston moves. The tube comes in single and multi-channel pipettes.

According to the companies, the initial design of the packaging kit was a pouch which once opened, lab technicians had to either use its contents quickly or dispose them off with the residual lubricant. Resealing it and using the contents later was not possible hence they developed the tube. “Because we are very concerned with sustainability in all of our market segments, we definitely wanted to replace the previous packaging, a sealed pouch that is torn open with a more resource-friendly solution, “said Melanie Kalmaz, director, Purchasing & Material Logistics Eppendorf Liquid Handling GmbH.

“Representatives of the two companies from Hamburg and Munich launched a project to do away with the sealed pouches. A variety of ideas were brought to the table. But many containment alternatives did not meet expectations: A tube cannot be emptied completely, as we all know from toothpaste tubes. With mascara applicators, large amounts of the substance stick to the brush.  Finally, the project team had the idea of using a product Eppendorf themselves had developed – a small reaction tube,” said the companies in a statement.

“It is important for us to offer not only high-performing special lubricants but complete solutions for a tribological challenge. This is why we were glad to take on the job of testing the new packaging concept right down to the last detail and to adapt the processes of the external filler precisely to the requirements,” said Tim Potratz, district sales manager, Klüber Lubrication Germany, who coordinated the project.