
QIAGEN Offers New Sustainable Solutions for its Market Leading DNA Extraction Technologies
QIAGEN, a global leader in in vitro diagnostics, has expanded its eco-friendly product line, QIAwave, with the introduction of two new nucleic acid extraction kits: the QIAwave RNeasy Plus Mini Kit and QIAwave DNA/RNA Mini Kit. These kits offer researchers a sustainable alternative to QIAGEN’s standard kits, maintaining the same high-quality performance while being more environmentally friendly. QIAGEN is recognized as the market leader in the global $2 billion DNA/RNA sample preparation market with total sample revenues of over $700M (annualized) in the most recent quarter.
The QIAwave kits are designed to reduce the environmental footprint associated with nucleic acid extraction. They utilize up to 62% less plastic and up to 58% less cardboard compared to QIAGEN’s standard kits for DNA, RNA, and plasmid DNA extraction. The kits are the first to incorporate both recycled plastics and space-saving chemical concentrates, contributing to their sustainability. They also feature fewer components, waste tubes made from 100% recycled plastic, and buffer concentrates in smaller bottles. Furthermore, the packaging is more compact, reducing the need for cardboard.
Dr. Thomas Schweins, Senior Vice President and Head of QIAGEN’s Life Sciences Business Area, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting scientific research while minimizing its environmental impact. He stated, “At QIAGEN, we’re constantly striving to find innovative ways to combine high-quality performance with eco-friendlier solutions.”
These new additions to the QIAwave product line complement the previously launched QIAwave RNA Mini Kit, QIAwave DNA Blood & Tissue Kit, and QIAwave Plasmid Miniprep Kit, strengthening QIAGEN’s portfolio of sustainable laboratory solutions.
QIAGEN has stated its committed to reducing its plastic footprint, with initiatives such as replacing expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes for cooled shipments with recyclable alternatives made from straw and other eco-friendly materials. In 2022, the company achieved a 16.5% reduction in plastic usage in transportation, nearly double its target of at least a 9% reduction. Beyond plastic reduction, QIAGEN has set science-based targets for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The company’s sustainability efforts have earned recognition from rating agencies, including a “Prime” status from ISS ESG and an A rating from MSCI ESG Research.