Kibron CMCeeker > low cost per test and quick return on investment

One key challenge for surfactant manufacturers and formulators is to reduce costs by minimizing the contents of surfactants in their products, without compromising product performance.

Fast optimization of product formulations is important, while a large number of tests on multiple variants are required. Key characteristic of all surfactants is their critical micelle concentration (CMC). Conventionally CMC measurements have been expensive and time consuming.   

The following example is based on the calculation of cost for 5000 CMC determinations, carried out with existing methods (options 1 and 2) vs. the high throughput Kibron CMCeeker, based on average labor and raw material costs.

Testing costs

Option 1:

• Outsourced testing (conventional method): market price $ 1400 / CMC (incl. sample materials), volume discount 50%

• > $ 700 / CMC-value      

Option 2:

• In-house testing with existing instrument: capacity 5 CMC-determinations/day

• operator/labor cost: $ 800/day

• sample materials $ 200/day > $ 1000 / day

• > $ 200 / CMC-value   

 
Option 3:

• In-house testing with the Kibron CMCeeker: capacity 168 CMC-determinations/day (21 x 96-well plates: 8 CMC-values /10 min reading/plate)

• Kibron CMCeeker basic investment + daily operator/labor cost ($ 800) and material costs considered for 5000 tests gives in total a cost of

• > $ 30 / CMC-value

  
  

The cost and time needed for 5000 CMC determinations (without interest on invested capital)

• >>> Kibron CMCeeker brings savings of 85% compared to in-house testing by conventional tensiometers and 230% compared to outsourcing.       
  

Quick return on investment                       

High throughput cmc-testing leads to faster formulation discovery and reduction of the consumption of surfactants in blends and products.

A reduction of only 2% in surfactant use (based on an annual consumption of 1000 tons) gives, in addition to the R&D cost savings, an excellent return on investment.

Ask for your individual ROI-calculation by sending us an email to info@kibron.com or click contact to fill in the questionnaire.