Merck has launched a portfolio of bio-based solvents for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), targeting laboratories seeking lower-emission alternatives without changing established analytical methods.

The Germany-based group said the new range is designed for use in HPLC workflows and includes replacements for acetonitrile, methanol and ethanol. Merck said the solvents are manufactured using renewable feedstocks and generate an average 25.9% lower CO2 equivalent compared with conventional fossil-fuel-based HPLC-grade solvents.

HPLC is widely used across pharmaceutical research, quality control, manufacturing and diagnostics to separate, identify and quantify chemical compounds. Solvents are a core part of the process, acting as the mobile phase that carries samples through chromatography systems. Because of the scale of solvent use across laboratories, changes in sourcing and emissions can have a measurable operational impact.

Merck said the products are intended as drop-in replacements, allowing laboratories to adopt the new solvents without redeveloping or revalidating existing methods. That could be significant for regulated environments where method changes can be time-consuming and expensive.

Karen Madden, chief technology officer, Life Science business of Merck, said: “Customers are looking for solutions that help reduce environmental impact without compromising performance quality.”

The company said the portfolio is compatible with established HPLC and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods and instruments, which may help adoption across routine analytical settings.

Sustainability has become a growing focus for pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract development and manufacturing organisations, and research laboratories as they work to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. While much attention has centred on energy use, packaging and transport, consumables such as solvents are increasingly under review because of their high usage volumes.

Analytical laboratories often rely on large quantities of acetonitrile, methanol and ethanol for testing raw materials, finished products and development samples. Any alternative that maintains performance while lowering emissions may attract interest from procurement, operations and environmental teams.

Merck did not disclose pricing, production volumes or expected sales contribution from the new portfolio. The company also described the range as the first bio-based solvent portfolio specifically for HPLC.

The launch adds to competition among life sciences suppliers seeking to offer lower-impact materials and process inputs as customers tighten environmental targets.

For Merck, the move strengthens its position in chromatography consumables and laboratory workflow products, where reliability, regulatory consistency and supply security remain key purchasing factors.

The bio-based solvent range is now available through the company’s Sigma-Aldrich sales channels.