Environmental Impact

GERSTEL has developed and produced chromatography sample preparation technologies that eliminate or significantly reduce the use of organic solvents. Examples are stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE, GERSTEL Twister), dynamic headspace, thermal desorption, automated solid-phase extraction (SPE), and autosamplers that enable μ-scale liquid sample preparation. Such technologies benefit the external environment and also the laboratory environment, leading to improvements in occupational hygiene and in the quality of results.

In 2007, the opportunity arose to significantly reduce the environmental impact of GERSTEL’s daily operations by consolidating all company sites in new headquarters that include several energy-saving technologies. The building was chosen as the “energy-saving building of the month” in May 2008 by the North-Rhine-Westphalia Energy Agency.

Prior to the construction phase, energy savings were modeled using computer simulation, and the findings were implemented for insulation, cooling, heating, lighting, shade effects, use of geothermal heat pumps (for both heating and cooling), and heat exchangers in the ventilation systems. The total reductions in CO2 emissions amount to 41,400 kg per year.

The new building reduced the need for operations-related driving by 30,000 kilometers per year and is better situated for commuting by public transportation, further helping to reduce the use of private transportation.