PRIVATE LABEL SOLUTION BOLSTERS CLIENT’S REVENUE STREAM RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SOLVENT SAFETY CAPS

AGILENT CASE STUDY

Industry issue Solvent products are used in almost all manufacturing processes and in a wide variety of applications, including pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, and electronics. Solvents are chemical products that are able to dissolve, suspend, or extract other substances without changing their physical properties. According to the European Solvents Group, approximately 5 million tonnes of solvents are sold in Europe each year, to more than half a million companies. The European solvents industry is committed to meeting the highest safety standards and environmental protection, and spends more than €20 m per year on research and development.

The typical scientific laboratory is home to a considerable range of chemicals that require safe storage and appropriate use. Safe solvent storage and handling are especially important in laboratories using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC is an analytical technique used to separate, identify, quantify, and purify individual components from a mixture. This technique is used in manufacturing, for instance during the production process of pharmaceutical products. As well as in research, for separating the components of a complex biological sample, and can also be used for detecting performance enhancing drugs.

Organic solvents such as acetonitrile, methanol, methylene chloride, trifluoroacetic acid, chloroform, hexane, and ethyl acetate are commonly used in HPLC. These solvents are flammable, toxic, and carcinogenic and therefore need to be managed safely. The solvents are typically transferred into HPLC solvent reservoir bottles from their original larger solvent bottle. These empty bottles are then re-used in laboratories to collect solvent waste.

The challengeIn analytical laboratories, it is common practice to either “seal” bottles of HPLC solvents with aluminum foil or film, or alternatively to leave them completely open. This practice results in the exposure of lab workers to hazardous solvent vapors. In addition, hazardous waste regulations require that containers of hazardous waste be kept closed and sealed except when adding or removing waste.

In use, HPLC solvent bottles and waste containers must be kept closed and sealed. Options include buying specially designed caps for that purpose. For example, caps can be created for waste containers, which allow for venting through either a vent line that can be directed to an exhaust hood or a filtration system.

Solvents must be stored, used, removed, and disposed of safely. Using faulty safety caps endangers both people and the environment. Working with improper solutions is also time-consuming, inaccurate, and uneconomical. The risk of injury is also frequently underestimated.

Solvent safety cap benefits• Agilent safety caps are freely

rotating, PTFE and PFA screw caps for all solvent bottles and waste containers used with HPLC systems in the lab. This enables the container to be changed without twisting the fixed tubes. The air valve with PTFE membrane filter (pore size 1 µm) prevents gases escaping and at the same time enables pressure compensation.

• Agilent solvent safety caps are also available for bottles with standard ground joints NS 29/32, in addition to GL45 screw threads. Alternatively, adapters are available for GL40, GL38 and GL32 screw threads. Agilent safety caps functionally support the chemical industry’s Responsible Care initiative.

Inadequate safety caps pose serious risks and can lead to:• Health hazards as harmful vapor can be emitted• Loose seals may result in dangerous leaks - valuable substances are lost• Risk of contamination of sensitive fluids; bottles and laboratory equipment can become

contaminated• Tubes may become loose and interrupt processes• Risk of air and environmental pollution • Changing containers becomes a risky procedure • Shrinkage of mobile phase can occur due to evaporation

Open or partially covered solvent bottles can lead to the evaporation of solvents and harmful solvent vapor. It is therefore vital to keep solvents in their containers, where they belong.

The solution – Solvent safety capsAcetonitrile and methanol are just two of the many toxic compounds users may be exposed to every day. Fortunately, solvent safety caps can prevent solvents from leaching into the air – protecting everyone who may be exposed. That’s not all, as safety caps also promote mobile phase consistency. Over time, solvent density can change, affecting chromatographic results. Storing solvents with airtight safety caps prevents this problem, ensuring the long-term consistency of the mobile phase, and the chromatographic results. In addition, loss of material, whether by spill, leakage, or evaporation translates directly to economic loss.

Many safety and environmental directives are already regulated by law, and solvent safety caps help operators to use these toxic or flammable organic substances safely. Many companies operate under environmental management system certifications for ISO 14001 at factory locations. In addition, environmental protection is often a core part of production cycles, with considerations being given to energy conservation, energy saving, and reduction of disposal and waste. Companies may also comply with the PRTR law, which concerns discharges of specified chemical substances into the environment and of the management of chemical substances.

How solvent safety caps work• When the HPLC pump

is operating, the PTFE membrane in the valve opens and allows air to flow into the bottle. When the pump stops, the valve closes, keeping solvent vapors from escaping.

Hints for successful operation• Always plug unused ports

with a proper plug avoiding uncontrolled solvent evaporation or contamination.

• One of the available ports on the A-Line Stay Safe caps (p/n 5043–1217, 5043–1218, and 5043–1219) must always be populated with the venting valve to avoid under pressure.

• Choose the correct fitting that matches the od of your solvent tube for a tight connection.

• Replace the charcoal filter and venting valve in time to assure proper operation.

• See “How to use the time strip” on the special information delivered with the venting valve and charcoal filter.

Safely stored – Advantages of safety caps at a glance:• Protect employee health and working environment by reducing solvent emissions by up to 70%

- manufactured with special technology, solvent safety caps minimize solvent leakage into the air• Save money by preventing leakage and evaporation of expensive solvents• Optimize solvent replacement with freely rotating cap design that avoids tube twisting during

container exchange• Drip-free collection of used or contaminated media• Charcoal filters prevent harmful gas emissions• Time strip to ensure replaced when needed• Improve chromatographic results by preventing retention time shifts from concentration changes

in solvents due to evaporation

Agilent Stay Safe caps are ideal for safely collecting and storing liquid laboratory waste. With a choice of different connections and activated carbon filters, they increase safety for laboratory technicians. Agilent Stay Safe caps are engineered to help users maintain a solvent-free lab with a special time strip on the venting valve. This time strip shows operators when it’s time to replace the venting valve. To keep the safety caps working optimally, the venting valve should be replaced every six months.

PartnershipThe Agilent private label team collaborated with the client team to provide a solvent safety cap solution, from initial order and supply agreement to ongoing support. Agilent took the time to gain a comprehensive understanding of the company’s business strategy to ensure that the solution could be taken to market. The company placed an initial order for a range of own label solvent safety caps from Agilent. This order enabled the company to offer its customers a complete safety solution and solve their laboratory issues.

Initial solvent safety cap and accessories order: • Private label solvent safety caps, 1, 2, and 4 port and accessories/fittings for GL45 threaded

bottles, the most commonly used cap type • Vent valve with time strip• Stay safe charcoal filter with time strip• Labeled plain box (customer requested to label themselves)• No instructions/user guide (customer requested to supply themselves)

Specific requirements accommodated for by Agilent included:• Client part numbers – require one part number per product to appear on product labeling• Client product label – require specifications for client product label to appear on product box• Client logo file – require client logo in .STP file to ensure that logo can be molded into cap.

Private label benefitsThe chemical company was looking for a private label partner that would be flexible and help to not only meet the company’s requirements for safety and the needs of laboratory professionals but also provide a fast turnaround. The private-labeled version of Agilent’s Stay Safe caps not only complements the company’s strategy but also satisfies its customers’ growing needs for a safe solution for the laboratory. Dealing directly with Agilent and sourcing the product was easy as the safety caps can be confidentially ordered and manufactured specifically for the client.

Application example: Client situationA leading chemical company specializing in the development and manufacture of products in the areas of reagents and chemicals for the electronics industry and diagnostics, as well as fine chemicals, required a solution for its solvent bottle caps. This company needed to ensure the professional handling of harmful liquids for optimum safety, while also generating a return on investment.

The company needed solvent safety caps that would meet their stringent systems and sophisticated quality controls. These caps needed to ensure the safety of the companies solvent bottles. A distributor relationship was not an option as the company was looking for a more intimate customer relationship and enhanced brand presence that only comes with a bespoke and tailored private label solution.

The company required a private label partner to quickly supply solvent safety caps and had several requirements as part of the specification process. These requirements included lead times, volumes, and customization. The company engaged Agilent to provide a custom portfolio of private label solvent safety caps. As a result of Agilent’s expertise and experience in providing private label clients with custom designs and support, manufacturing quality, and logistics.

Private branding has enabled the company to create its own safety cap product range and identity, which all helps to promote stronger customer recognition and loyalty. The ability to generate revenue from this new product line is important and was in fact an unanticipated benefit of the partnership. The company had underestimated the anticipated volume of uptake and required more products to meet the demand of its customers. The option to quickly redesign the supply agreement was vital in this instance. This option resulted in a substantial return on investment for the private label company that would not have been possible without a partnership solution. The solvent safety caps have enabled Agilent’s client to better service its customer-base and solve their problems in the laboratory.

The packaging and labels are tailored to meet the private label owner’s specifications, including product name, description, company logo, and contact information. Private labeling has given the company more control over pricing, marketing, sales, storage, inventory management, and distribution. As it is their “brand” name that is identified with the product, the private label makes it harder for competitors to match and price check similar products.

With decades of experience in OEM manufacturing and distribution, there are many advantages to private label products. As a private label manufacturer, Agilent was able to offer the chemical company a manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution package. This offer saved the company time, money, labor, hassle, and inventory space. By offering solvent safety caps, the company is now able to pass on the confidence to its customers.

The Agilent advantage

Companies invest a great deal of time and effort in building a brand and identity, ensuring that they are a reliable and well-trusted source in their customers’ minds. The ability to augment current offerings with extra high-quality and proven products is crucial to move forward in business; however, a new product is often not justifiable or practical. Agilent’s private label suite of products is developed based on decades of experience working with private label partners. The private label program offers unique incentives, not available elsewhere in the industry, which enables private label partners to strengthen their success.

Agilent offers a full family of products to support lab safety, from solvent caps for different size solvent bottles, to waste containers, fittings, and more. Read the brochure available here for a full view of products and accessories.

Client challenge - Health, safety, and the environmentChemical product manufacturers are conscious of their impact on the environment and have an important responsibility to ensure the health and safety of workers who come into contact with hazardous products. With a stringent management system in place, the company needed to be sure that any private label product would meet its customers’ expectations of highly reliable and quality products.

The company is pro-active in examining the potential dangers and toxicity of its chemical products. Therefore, it closely examines all manufacturing processes from design, development, production, distribution, and sales, up to onsite use and disposal through the product life cycle. This scrutiny means that all processes are managed with safety features in place. As such, the company needed to ensure that any solvent safety cap would meet the same stringent criteria placed on the company’s products.

With no research and development resource to produce safety caps in volume, the company also required a solution that would help with better planning of stock. They required the flexibility to pre-order and spread shipping over 12 months to reduce risk and enhance the company’s yield and supply chain.

For more information or to speak to a member of our team, email: csd.oem@agilent.com

To download our brochure or find out more about Agilent Private Label visit: www.agilent.com/chem/oem For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.Information, descriptions and specifications in this publication are subject to change without notice. © Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2017 Published in the USA, April 26, 2017 5991-7966EN