KNAUER Wissenschaftliche Geräte GmbH is a world-renowned German manufacturer of high-end scientific instruments, headquartered in Berlin. Founded in 1962 by chemist Dr. Herbert Knauer, the company began with a revolutionary electronic thermometer and soon developed the first freezing point osmometer. Driven by the mission "We separate molecules and unite people," KNAUER has grown into an innovation leader in liquid chromatography (LC). The company is celebrated for its award-winning "Made in Germany" engineering and its commitment to sustainability, being among the first to receive the ACT Ecolabel for chromatography systems. Today, under the leadership of Alexandra Knauer, the brand is a critical partner in global health, providing the high-pressure dosing and mixing technology essential for the large-scale production of mRNA-based lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and vaccines.
The KNAUER range at LabFriend features professional analytical measurement and testing solutions, headlined by the versatile AZURA® HPLC and UHPLC systems. These modular platforms are essential for pharmaceutical drug development, environmental monitoring, and food quality control. For biomolecule purification, the brand provides advanced life science support through their AZURA® FPLC systems, designed specifically for the gentle separation of proteins and nucleic acids. Their portfolio also encompasses essential general laboratory aids, featuring their founding technology: high-precision freezing point osmometers for determining the osmolality of aqueous solutions. To support modern laboratory automation, KNAUER offers integrated software solutions like ClarityChrom® and PurityChrom® for seamless data acquisition and process control. By choosing KNAUER through LabFriend, you benefit from competitive pricing and fast shipping on premium instrumentation designed for maximum flexibility, reproducibility, and a lifetime of scientific insight.
Why Choose KNAUER for Your Laboratory?
- Pioneering Chromatography Expertise: With over 60 years of experience, KNAUER specializes in high-pressure fluid handling, delivering systems with the lowest delay volumes and highest flow precision in the industry.
- Modular AZURA® Platform: The AZURA® line features a unique "plug-and-play" design, allowing users to easily swap pumps, detectors, and valves to adapt their system from analytical to preparative scales.
- Sustainability & Efficiency: KNAUER is a leader in "Green HPLC," focusing on energy-efficient hardware and reduced solvent consumption, backed by ISO 14001 environmental management certification.
- Specialized LNP Technology: Their proprietary Impingement Jets Mixing (IJM) technology is the industry standard for encapsulating mRNA into lipid nanoparticles, enabling rapid vaccine and gene therapy development.
- Robust German Engineering: Every instrument is developed and manufactured in Berlin, ensuring unmatched ruggedness and longevity even under high-pressure, 24/7 industrial operating conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between HPLC and FPLC systems?
HPLC is typically used for the analytical separation of small molecules under high pressure. FPLC (Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography) is designed for the purification of large biomolecules like proteins, using biocompatible materials and lower pressures to maintain the sample's native state.
2. Can I automate my purification process with KNAUER systems?
Yes, AZURA® systems can be fully automated using autosamplers, fraction collectors, and column selection valves, all controlled via the intuitive PurityChrom® software for complex multi-step protocols.
3. Why is an osmometer used in clinical and pharmaceutical labs?
Freezing point osmometers, like the K-7400S, are used to measure the total concentration of dissolved particles in a liquid. This is critical for checking the isotonicity of infusion solutions and quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
4. Are KNAUER columns compatible with other chromatography brands?
Absolutely. KNAUER offers a wide range of HPLC and FPLC columns with standard fittings, making them compatible with almost any chromatography system from other major manufacturers.
