BioTek responds to Paris Climate Accord decision

WINOOSKI, Vt.—The United States pulling out of its Paris Climate Accord commitments was major news earlier this year, and still continues to get prominent mention at times. At least one life-sciences-connected company, BioTek Instruments, had something to say about the matter, releasing an official response in which it noted:

“BioTek Instruments continues to strengthen its commitment to sustainability by joining the over 1,200 governors, mayors, businesses, investors and colleges and universities from across the U.S. who have voiced their intent to continue to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing carbon emissions. By declaring that ‘we are still in,’ BioTek and the other signatories are putting the best interests of their constituents, customers, students and communities first while assuring the rest of the world that American leadership on climate change extends well beyond the current federal government.

“The science is clear. The planet’s environment is changing, and this is largely due to human activity. It is also clear that the impact on earth’s inhabitants, including people, will be negative. The only question is the magnitude of the impact, and exact timing.”

The company in its statement also quoted BioTek’s vice president, Adam Alpert, who said: “BioTek is committed to decreasing its carbon footprint by focusing both on energy efficiency and renewable sources for power. Its new solar facilities in Whiting and Milton, Vt., for example, offset 100 percent of the company’s electrical energy cost. This is one of many existing company-wide programs promoting energy conservation, recycling and environmental protection. We are demonstrating leadership through action, and at a critical time. Locally and in partnership with the many governments, companies and institutions dedicated to reducing carbon emissions, we are taking steps that will help achieve the bigger goal—a cleaner and safer environment around the world.”

In other news of recent months at the company, BioTek celebrated the completion of a $4.5-million facility expansion and renovation. The 22,000-square-foot expansion “is already supporting the company’s rapid growth,” BioTek noted, adding: “While many departments are benefitting from the additional space, the company’s manufacturing area is most notably affected, growing by 33 percent. The project also includes a new 1,400-square-foot training facility for the company’s new and existing employees.”

At the event celebrating the expansion, BioTek President and CEO Briar Alpert said that the project will “position BioTek to continue to execute on [its] strategy of becoming one of the largest life-science instrumentation companies in the world. In short, we are building tools that are unlocking the mysteries of life, and we are doing this from right here in Vermont.”

Around the same time as the company physically expanded, it also introduced the Cytation 1 Cell Imaging Multi-Mode Reader as “an affordable entry into automated digital quantitative microscopy along with multi-mode microplate detection.” This patented combined solution reportedly provides quantitative phenotypic cellular information and well-based quantitative data, while the modular architecture allows users to satisfy their current research needs and upgrade with additional modes to suit future needs.