Taller liquid chromatography columns 'help pharma firms go green'

Biopharmaceutical companies are finding ways to go green, with the height of liquid chromatography columns one area where improvements can be made, it is noted.

Findings presented at the recent GEN Green BioPharma conference in Philadelphia listed liquid chromatography column height as just one of the possible topics to take into account when trying to make the research environment greener.

Taller columns can gain five per cent in yields, delegates were told, as determined in investigations by Bayer Healthcare of "quick win" steps in improving efficiency.

At its Berkeley, California site, the pharmaceutical firm was able to achieve a three per cent reduction in its carbon footprint by making this change.

However, delegates were also reminded to keep column heights within established specifications, so as to avoid having to re-evaluate their procedures.

GEN Green BioPharma took place in Philadelphia on July 14th and 15th 2010 at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel.