From liquid handling to sample storage

PulpFixin^®, a materials science company focused on replacing single-use plastics in life science laboratories, will debut a slate of new automation-ready, compostable lab products at the 2026 SLAS International Conference and Exhibition in Boston, expanding its footprint across liquid handling, sample identification and cold storage workflows.

The announcement builds on the company's recent launch of the world's first fully paperbased automation pipet tip rack engineered for Agilent Bravo automated liquid handlers.

That product has been selected by SLAS as a finalist for its 2026 New Product of the Year Award, with the winner to be announced during the conference. The success of this product provides a foundation upon which other automation compatible pipet tip racks can be built.

In addition to the automation pipet tip rack, PulpFixin will formally introduce AutoSleeve^™ tube adapters and the 2D AutoBox^™ sample storage system, both designed to modernize sample tracking and inventory management while eliminating unnecessary plastic from laboratory operations.

Labs shouldn't have to choose between automation performance and sustainability, Each of these products was designed to integrate directly into existing workflows, not disrupt them. That's how real change happens in science - by making better materials the easier choice."

Chad Jenkins, CEO, PulpFixin

From liquid handling to sample storage

For decades, laboratories have relied on polypropylene racks, boxes and labeling systems that are difficult to recycle due to contamination and limited infrastructure. Millions of these components are discarded each year, contributing significantly to laboratory waste streams across biotech and pharmaceutical research environments.

PulpFixin's paper-based automation pipet tip rack addresses one of the most persistent sources of plastic waste in automated liquid handling. The rack is manufactured entirely from paper materials and is fully recyclable through standard paper and cardboard streams, as well as industrially compostable. It serves as a direct replacement for traditional plastic racks used with Agilent Bravo systems, requiring no equipment modifications.

The rack is sealed with FeatureFilm^™, PulpFixin's proprietary moisture-resistant coating, which encapsulates paper fibers to provide structural integrity, durability and particulate control while maintaining compatibility with automated systems.

The company's newly announced AutoSleeve^™ and 2D AutoBox^™ products extend that same material science approach into sample identification, sample management and cold storage. AutoSleeve^™ adapters allow laboratories to assign durable, unique serialized 1D and 2D barcodes to standard 1.5- to 2.0-milliliter conical bottom microcentrifuge tubes without relying on plastic labels or costly pre-barcoded tubes. The sleeves pair with the 2D AutoBox^™, a compostable, ANSI-SLAS standard footprint storage box designed for standard microplate freezer racks and automated barcode reading.

Both products are moisture resistant, compatible with 2D and 1D barcode readers and validated for use in extreme cold storage conditions, including liquid nitrogen environments.

Recognition from SLAS

SLAS' selection of the automation pipet tip rack as a New Product of the Year finalist underscores the growing interest in sustainable alternatives that do not compromise performance in high-throughput laboratories.

"Being named a finalist by SLAS is a meaningful validation of the work our team is doing," Jenkins said. "It signals that sustainability and automation can move forward together - and that the industry is ready for better materials."

Availability and conference details

All three products - the paper-based automation pipet tip rack, AutoSleeve^™ and 2D AutoBox^™ - will be showcased at SLAS2026 in Boston, Feb. 7-11. PulpFixin will exhibit at Booth 1856.

The automation pipet tip racks are available beginning Feb. 7, 2026. AutoSleeve^™ and AutoBox^™ products will be available following the SLAS conference in February.