Nalgene : What floorutions for storing, transferring and preparing samples in the laboratory?
An established brand within the Thermo Fisher Scientific portfolio, Nalgene is widely recognised as the standard for laboratory sample storage, transfer and preparation. Its core offering: vials, carboys, sterile bottles, filtration units and high-performance polymer accessories, engineered for safety, chemical resistance and everyday practicality. From R&D through to QC laboratories across pharma, biotech, food and beverage and environmental sectors, Nalgene equips critical steps with controlled materials and meticulous traceability.
Since 1949, plastics excellence serving your lab
Nalgene was founded in Rochester (NY, USA) in the late 1940s, driven by engineers determined to give laboratories a safe, lightweight alternative to glass. By 1949, the brand was developing bottles and accessories made from advanced polymers, paving the way for safer, more efficient workflows. The following decades saw the portfolio broaden (bottles, carboys, plastic labware, desiccators), resins optimised and designs engineered to deliver exemplary leakproof performance and ergonomics. In 1995, the company joined forces with Nunc to form Nalge Nunc International, then became part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific group, ensuring global reach, harmonised quality processes and robust logistics. Today, Nalgene remains synonymous with reliability and consistency in regulated environments, with manufacturing largely based in the United States and a presence in laboratories across every discipline.Expertise and capabilities
The expertise of Nalgene focuses on the essentials of laboratory workflows: preparation, filtration, storage and transport. The brand designs bottles and carboys with wide or narrow necks, sterile bottles for media and buffers, ready-to-use filtration units, wash bottles, beakers, graduated cylinders and desiccators that meet the daily demands of R&D and QC laboratories. Its strength lies in a carefully selected range of engineering resins (PPCO/PP, HDPE/LDPE, PC, PETG, PMP, FEP), each optimised for a precise balance of chemical resistance, transparency, temperature tolerance and sterility.
For reusable solutions, Nalgene prioritises autoclavable materials (PP, PPCO, PC, PMP) with durable graduations and geometries that support clean pouring, secure gloved handling and reduced splashing. For sterile, ready-to-use applications, PETG bottles and systems for sterile filtration (membranes selected to suit the application) provide safe packaging of media, sera and buffers, with tamper-evident caps and clean packaging. Caps and threads are engineered to ensure tested leak-tightness and consistent performance, from internal transport through to cold storage.
In use, the range spans widely: media preparation in cell culture, production of buffer batches in bioprocessing, microbiological QC and physico-chemical QC, sampling in environmental or agri-food settings. Key advantages include the consistency of materials, the availability of compliance documentation (lot traceability, certificates for many references), and a recognised chemical compatibility guide that helps select the right resin by solvent, pH and temperature. Underpinning it all, use-phase sustainability (reusable where it makes sense, sterile where it is critical) supports safer, more controlled practices with no compromise on quality.Nalgene laboratory products supplied by Dutscher
Frequently asked questions about Nalgene
Where are Nalgene products manufactured?
Many Nalgene items are made in the United States (notably around Rochester, NY) as part of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s portfolio, with full lot traceability.
Are Nalgene bottles really leakproof?
Neck, thread and cap geometries are engineered for factory-tested leakproof performance. Observe torque specifications and chemical compatibility for optimal results.
Which materials should I choose for my application?
PP/PPCO and PMP for autoclaving, HDPE/LDPE for routine chemistry, PC for clarity and toughness, PETG for sterile use. Refer to the Nalgene Chemical Compatibility Guide.
Are the products autoclavable?
Yes, many PP, PPCO, PC or PMP items are. HDPE/LDPE bottles are not. Always check the product datasheet and follow the recommended cycles.
Are there sterile, ready-to-use versions?
Yes. Selected bottles (e.g. PETG) and Nalgene filtration units are supplied sterile, cleanly packaged, ready for media, sera and buffers.
What quality documentation is available?
Depending on the item: certificate of conformity, lot traceability and material information. These documents support audits in regulated environments.
