This article, the last in a three-part series, highlights industry perspectives on the technological changes and evolving demands impacting chromatography. Catch up on Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
Emerging fields such as metabolomics and proteomics have heightened demand for advanced chromatography consumables, from specialized columns and extraction kits to high-purity solvents. As these disciplines push the boundaries of molecular insight, consumables must offer the precision, reproducibility, and sensitivity needed for complex analyses.
Simultaneously, new challenges such as the pervasive threat of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) highlight the need to combat background contamination. Researchers and regulators demand unprecedented levels of accuracy, whether monitoring environmental pollutants or probing disease mechanisms.
To understand the latest advancements in chromatography consumables, Separation Science spoke with leading industry experts about innovation in consumable design, sustainability efforts, and the integration of automation.
Tailored Solutions for Enhanced Sensitivity
To keep pace with evolving analytical needs, chromatography consumables are advancing in key areas, notes Crystal Holt, director of strategic marketing at Phenomenex. “One major advancement has been improving sensitivity through reduced contaminants," she explains, highlighting how this innovation allows for lower detection limits and more precise identification of trace analytes. Tailored solutions for specific industries, such as food safety and clinical diagnostics, further optimize performance and align consumables with the unique needs of various applications.
Increasingly, consumables are being designed to seamlessly integrate with automated systems, enhancing efficiency, reproducibility, and throughput. This integration has transformed how laboratories handle sample preparation, reducing human error and streamlining complex workflows. "Consumables designed for automation help labs overcome challenges like high-volume demands while ensuring consistent results," says Holt.
Advancements in consumables also extend to smart features, including embedded sensors and auto-recognition capabilities. These features allow systems to automatically detect consumables, configure settings, and monitor performance in real time, boosting accuracy and minimizing downtime. Consumables are now engineered with more durable materials and advanced sealing technologies, allowing them to withstand the rigors of automated handling.
Another key area of development involves modular and scalable designs. Consumables are now available with interchangeable components that adapt to a range of automated setups, from benchtop to high-throughput configurations. By providing flexibility and precision, these designs meet diverse workflow needs and accommodate rapid shifts in laboratory demands.
Driving Sustainability
Sustainability is becoming a core focus in the design and development of chromatography consumables, reflecting broader industry goals to reduce environmental impact. Doug McCabe, senior director and portfolio owner at Waters Corporation, offers a tangible example of how sustainability principles can transform even the smallest details of laboratory operations.
Traditionally, columns were shipped in large cardboard boxes padded with non-recyclable foam, resulting in wasted space and unnecessary environmental impact. "We were paying to ship air—and non-recyclable foam—across the world," he recalls.
The solution involved a switch to 100% recyclable 'ocean plastic' packaging made from reclaimed material from the Pacific Ocean. This compact, environmentally friendly design not only eliminates foam but also resonates with customer demands for sustainable solutions. "It’s not just good for the planet—it’s something our customers have been asking for," McCabe notes.
Conclusion
Tailoring consumables for specific applications is already transforming workflows, but emerging technologies such as 3D printing could soon allow labs to create bespoke, on-demand solutions. Meanwhile, smart technologies and embedded sensors are blurring the line between consumables and instruments. This evolution points to a future where consumables become seamless extensions of analytical devices, enabling labs to operate with minimal human intervention.
About the Experts
Crystal Holt
Director, Global Strategic Marketing, Phenomenex
Crystal Holt leads the global market development and customer insights team at Phenomenex, shaping the company's market strategy and deciphering critical customer challenges. With a decade-long tenure within the Danaher family, Crystal brings over 18 years of extensive experience in the mass spectrometry industry. Her career has spanned diverse roles encompassing technical marketing, assay development, sales, and marketing.
Crystal holds a master of science degree in pharmaceutical and chemical science from the University of the Pacific. During her studies, she conducted groundbreaking research under the guidance of O. David Sparkman, focusing on the identification of novel nucleotide-based complexes using a range of LC-MS/MS methodologies.
Doug McCabe
Senior Director and Portfolio Owner, Waters Corporation
Doug McCabe is the Senior Director and Portfolio Owner, QA/QC at Waters Corporation. Doug leads a
team of product managers, product marketers, applications chemists, and evaluation scientists who
support Waters HPLC and UHPLC customers and systems. Prior to his current role as Portfolio Owner,
Doug led the Chemistry consumables marketing and product management team. Doug has been with
Waters since 2001 when he was hired as product marketing manager of HPLC columns. Throughout his
career at Waters, he has been involved in defining, developing, and commercializing new products that
enable successful chromatographic separations.
