Environmentally friendly shipping by QIAGEN
Sustainability

New packaging, same QIAGEN quality

Environmentally friendly shipping by QIAGEN

At QIAGEN we are committed to reducing the environmental footprint of our operations. That’s why we are switching our expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes used in gel pack shipments for a greener alternative which uses cardboard and straw for insulation.

By eliminating the EPS boxes, we have greatly reduced the transportation plastic in an average QIAGEN shipment. This new packaging is fully recyclable, compostable, and requires 50 times less energy in production without compromising thermal performance and highest quality standards.

  • Effective: Verified insulation performance, shock-absorbent and moisture-regulating.
  • Eco-friendly: Carbon-neutral construction from straw obtained as a waste product of grain production.
  • Recyclable: Made from pure, fully compostable food-grade straw.
  • Clean: Thermally treated material which undergoes strict microbiological testing.
  • Certified: Meets standards for production of packaging with high hygienic requirements.

Download a compliance and performance certificate here.

Ecofriendly boxes
Straw panels

Uncompromised performance without the waste

The straw panels have been optimized to achieve the same or better performance than the EPS boxes previously used for gel pack shipments.

The straw used in the packaging is obtained as a waste product of grain production and is sourced locally by our supplier, Landpack in Germany.

Easy to dispose of, recycle or even upcycle

The outer cardboard boxes can be disposed of in normal or organic waste bins. The straw is suitable for composting or reusing in your garden!

All other packaging should be disposed of according to local requirements.

Plants
This is just one of many sustainability initiatives by QIAGEN
Find out about our other activities.
Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

How environmentally friendly is the packaging?

The straw is obtained as a waste product of grain production and comes from contract farmers in the immediate vicinity of our supplier, Landpack. The production of a Landbox Straw box consumes about as much CO2 as a 7.5 second drive. The straw can be disposed in organic waste and thus returned to the cycle.

Where does the straw used in the boxes come from?

Landpack purchases straw from contract farmers in the immediate vicinity. Straw is an agricultural by-product that is locally available in abundance. Every year, 89 million tons of straw can be sustainably used in the EU. Styropor could be completely replaced with only 1% of this straw.

How good is the insulation performance of the box?

As the thermal conductivity of polystyrene and straw is similar, the same insulation performance is achieved with the same wall thickness. The high insulating effect of the Landbox is due to the fact that all physical mechanisms of heat transport, such as conduction, convection, and radiation, are effectively minimized. This achieves a thermal conductivity similar to that of polystyrene: λ = 0.041 W/ mK. However, straw offers significantly better protection against temperature fluctuations, e.g. when the box is exposed to the sun.

How is insulation performance tested?

The insulation performance of the Landbox is regularly tested in climatic chambers according to GDP guidelines and in compliance with international standards of cooling logistics (e.g. DIN 55545-1, ASTM D3101-14, AFNOR).

Is the straw sterilized?

In Landpack's plants, the straw is de-dusted, cleaned of foreign bodies and treated with saturated steam at more than 100˚C. The straw is processed in accordance with the international standards for the production of packaging with high hygienic requirements (DIN EN 15593, GMP Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2006, (EC) No. 1935/2004). After heat treatment, a random microbiological test is carried out on each batch.

Does the packaging attract pests?

No. Straw is not a source of food for insects or other rodents. The antiphlogistic silica, which is naturally contained in straw repels the infestation, unlike products made from starch.

Are there any pesticides or other chemical residues in the straw?

The straw that is grown for Landpack comes from grain for food production. Therefore, the same strict standards apply here. The production process developed by Landpack allows the straw to be processed without the use of additives, adhesives or chemicals.

Is the straw allergy-friendly?

Landpack removes dust, cleans and disinfects the raw material straw. The process is similar to the production of natural fiber mattresses. Possible allergens such as pollen are removed or deactivated. The Landbox is comparable with other packaging made of natural fibers, such as cardboard or paper.

What are the moisture properties of the packaging?

Straw regulates moisture. The straw panels will absorb any melting water from the cooling packs and release it back into the environment later when the box is opened. In contrast to a polystyrene box, there will be no water in a straw box. Labels are protected.