Preserving the integrity of biological samples—whether it's a vial of stem cells, a batch of vaccine doses, or a patient's genetic material—requires packaging that can stand up to the harshest conditions. That's where polypropylene cryogenic tubes come in. These small but mighty containers are designed to keep samples safe at temperatures as low as -196°C, the temperature of liquid nitrogen (LN2). For labs, biobanks, and pharmaceutical companies, choosing the right cryo tubes isn't just a purchase—it's an investment in the reliability of their research and the safety of their samples.
At our facility, we specialize in crafting high-quality polypropylene cryogenic tubes with screw caps that deliver the security and performance you need. But what makes our PP storage vials stand out from the rest? Let's dive in and explore everything you need to know about these essential lab tools.
When it comes to cryogenic storage, every detail matters. Our PP cryo tubes are engineered with precision to address the unique challenges of low-temperature sample preservation. Here are the standout features that make them a top choice for professionals:
1. Premium Polypropylene Material : We use medical grade plastic bottles made from high-quality polypropylene (PP). This material is renowned for its exceptional resistance to extreme cold—no cracking or shattering even when submerged in LN2. It's also chemical-resistant, so it won't react with common lab reagents like DMSO (used for cell freezing) or ethanol, ensuring your samples remain uncompromised.
2. Leak-Proof Screw Caps with Silicone Gaskets : The screw caps on our cryo tubes are fitted with food-grade silicone gaskets that create an airtight, watertight seal. This prevents LN2 from seeping into the tube and protects your samples from contamination. The threads are precision-machined to ensure a consistent, tight fit every time—whether you're storing them upright in a rack or on their side in a cryobox.
3. Sterile and Contamination-Free : Every batch of our cryo tubes undergoes rigorous sterilization—either via ethylene oxide (EO) or gamma radiation. EO sterilization is ideal for heat-sensitive materials, while gamma radiation offers a more thorough, residue-free sterilization process. Additionally, our tubes are DNase/RNase-free and non-pyrogenic, meaning they're completely free of enzymes and toxins that could damage sensitive biological samples like DNA, RNA, or proteins.
4. Conical or Round Bottom Options : We offer both conical and round bottom tubes to suit your needs. Conical bottoms make it easy to centrifuge samples and retrieve small volumes with a pipette (perfect for molecular biology work), while round bottoms are ideal for general storage and can hold more sample volume relative to their size.
5. Trackable and Label-Friendly : Our tubes feature a smooth, writable surface so you can mark them with sample details using a permanent marker. For labs with large sample inventories, we can also add custom barcodes or printed labels with your lab's logo, sample identifiers, or project names. This helps reduce human error and speeds up sample retrieval.
6. Available in Multiple Sizes : From 0.5ml to 5ml, we have a range of volumes to fit your storage requirements. Whether you're storing a tiny drop of blood for genetic testing or a larger volume of cell culture for a clinical trial, we've got you covered. Our standard sizes are compatible with most cryoboxes and automated storage systems.
Our cryo tubes are versatile and find use in a wide range of industries and applications. Here are just a few examples:
Biobanking : Biobanks rely on our tubes to store human tissue samples, blood, and DNA for future research and clinical trials. The secure seal ensures samples remain viable for decades—critical for long-term studies on diseases like cancer or diabetes.
Clinical Research Labs : Researchers use our tubes to freeze cell lines, bacteria, and viruses for experiments. The DNase/RNase-free feature is especially important for molecular biology work, where even trace amounts of enzymes can degrade samples and invalidate results.
Vaccine Storage : With the rise of mRNA vaccines that require ultra-cold storage, our cryo tubes have become an essential part of the supply chain. They keep vaccine doses stable during transport and storage, ensuring they remain effective until they're administered to patients.
Fertility Clinics : Sperm and embryo storage for in vitro fertilization (IVF) requires the highest level of security. Our tubes provide the peace of mind that these precious samples are protected from contamination and temperature fluctuations.
Animal Research : Labs studying animal models use our tubes to store tissue samples and genetic material for breeding programs or disease research. The chemical resistance of PP makes them ideal for storing samples from animals exposed to pharmaceuticals or toxins.
No matter what your application, our cryo tubes are designed to meet the demands of even the most sensitive storage needs.
We understand that every lab has unique requirements. That's why we offer a range of customization options to make our cryo tubes work for you:
Custom Mold Design for Plastic Bottles : If you need a unique tube shape, size, or feature that isn't available off-the-shelf, our team can create a custom mold just for you. Whether it's a special cap design, a non-standard volume, or a unique bottom shape, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life. We even offer free test molds for custom designs, so you can see and test the product before committing to a full order.
Custom Labels and Barcodes : Add your lab's logo, sample identifiers, or barcodes to the tubes for easy tracking. This is perfect for labs with large sample inventories or companies looking to brand their products (like pharmaceutical companies distributing research-grade samples).
Cap Color Customization : Choose from a range of cap colors to color-code your samples by type, date, or project. This simple tweak can save you time and reduce errors in the lab—no more mixing up blood samples with cell culture samples!
Special Sterilization Requirements : If you need a specific sterilization method beyond EO or gamma (like autoclaving), let us know—we can accommodate custom sterilization protocols for your unique needs. We also offer non-sterile tubes for labs that prefer to sterilize their own supplies.
Our goal is to provide you with cryo tubes that fit seamlessly into your workflow, so don't hesitate to ask for what you need. Our team of engineers and technicians is here to help you find the perfect solution.
When it comes to lab supplies, quality is non-negotiable. We take pride in being an ISO9001 certified packaging factory with a dust-free GMP compliant workshop . Here's how we ensure every cryo tube meets the highest standards:
ISO9001 Certification : Our quality management system is ISO9001:2015 certified, which means we follow strict processes to ensure consistency and reliability in every product we make. From raw material sourcing to final packaging, every step of our production process is documented and audited regularly.
GMP Compliant Workshop : Our production facility is a class 100,000 dust-free, GMP-compliant space. This means the air is filtered to remove 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns, minimizing the risk of contamination during manufacturing. All production staff wear cleanroom suits, gloves, masks, and shoe covers to maintain the integrity of the workspace.
Rigorous Testing : Every batch of cryo tubes undergoes multiple tests before it leaves our factory. We check for leak resistance (by submerging tubes in LN2 and checking for seepage), sterility (using bacterial culture tests), and material integrity (by freezing tubes at -196°C and checking for cracks). Only batches that pass all tests are shipped to our customers.
Raw Material Control : We source only the highest quality PP resin from trusted suppliers. Each batch of raw material is tested for melt flow index (to ensure consistency in molding), density (to confirm it's medical grade), and low-temperature resistance (to ensure it doesn't crack at LN2 temperatures). This ensures that every tube we make is of the same high quality.
You can rest easy knowing that our cryo tubes are made with the same care and attention to detail that you put into your research.
With so many suppliers out there, why should you partner with us for your cryo tube needs? Here are just a few reasons:
Expertise and Experience : We've been in the plastic packaging industry for over a decade, and we specialize in cryogenic storage solutions. Our team of engineers and technicians has the knowledge to solve even the most complex packaging challenges—whether it's a custom mold design or a unique sterilization requirement.
Customization Capabilities : As mentioned earlier, we offer custom mold design and other customization options that many competitors don't. We're not just a supplier—we're a partner that works with you to find the perfect solution for your lab.
Global Reach : We're a China-based manufacturer with experience exporting to labs and companies around the world. Whether you're in North America, Europe, Asia, or Australia, we can deliver our products to your door quickly and efficiently. We also offer flexible shipping options (air, sea, or express) to meet your timeline.
Competitive Pricing : Because we're a factory direct supplier, we can offer high-quality cryo tubes at competitive prices. You won't have to pay extra for middlemen or distributors—you get the best value for your money.
Customer Support : Our team is here to help you every step of the way. From choosing the right tube for your needs to troubleshooting any issues, we're committed to providing exceptional customer service. We respond to inquiries within 24 hours and offer technical support from our team of experts.
We're more than just a cryogenic tubes manufacturer —we're your trusted partner in sample preservation.
To help you find the right tube for your needs, here's a breakdown of our standard offerings:
| Model Number | Volume | Thread Type | Bottom Shape | Sterility | Material | Seal Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT-05 | 0.5ml | Internal | Conical | EO Sterilized | Medical Grade PP | Silicone Gasket |
| CT-18 | 1.8ml | Internal | Conical | Gamma Sterilized | Medical Grade PP | Silicone Gasket |
| CT-20 | 2ml | Internal | Round | EO Sterilized | Medical Grade PP | Silicone Gasket |
| CT-50 | 5ml | External | Conical | Gamma Sterilized | Medical Grade PP | Silicone Gasket |
| CT-10 | 10ml | External | Round | Non-Sterile | Medical Grade PP | Silicone Gasket |
Note: Custom volumes (like 3ml or 7ml), thread types, and seal materials are available upon request. Contact our team for more information on custom mold design and pricing.
We get a lot of questions about our cryo tubes, so we've compiled some of the most common ones here:
1. Can these tubes be reused?
No, our cryo tubes are designed for single-use to prevent cross-contamination. Reusing them can lead to sample degradation or contamination (even if you autoclave them, the seal may not be as effective the second time). We recommend using a new tube for each sample.
2. What is the shelf life of your cryo tubes?
Our tubes have a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture, as long as they're stored in a cool, dry place (between 15°C and 25°C) and the packaging remains unopened. Once opened, we recommend using them within 6 months to ensure sterility.
3. Do you offer child-resistant caps?
While our standard caps aren't child-resistant, we can design custom caps with child-resistant features if needed. Just let us know your requirements—our engineering team can create a custom mold for child-resistant caps that fit our tubes.
4. Can I order small quantities, or do I need to buy in bulk?
We offer flexible ordering options—whether you need a few hundred tubes for a small project or thousands for a large biobank. Our minimum order quantity (MOQ) for standard tubes is 500 units, but we can accommodate smaller orders for custom designs (with a slight price adjustment). Contact us for pricing on small MOQs.
5. Are your tubes compatible with automated sample handling systems?
Yes, our standard tubes are designed to fit most automated pipetting and storage systems (like those used in high-throughput screening labs). If you have a specific system, we can adjust the tube dimensions (like height or diameter) to ensure compatibility—just send us the system specifications, and our team will help you find the right fit.
6. Do you offer sustainable or eco-friendly options?
Yes! We're committed to reducing our environmental impact, so we offer tubes made from recycled PP (PCR) material. These tubes have the same performance as our standard PP tubes but are made from 50% recycled plastic. We also offer biodegradable packaging for our tubes—just let us know if you're interested in eco-friendly options.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to our team—we're happy to help!
Preserving biological samples is a critical part of scientific research and medical progress. Our polypropylene cryogenic tubes with screw caps are designed to give you the confidence that your samples are safe, secure, and viable for years to come. With features like leak-proof seals, medical grade PP material, and customizable options, they're the perfect choice for labs, biobanks, and pharmaceutical companies.
As an ISO9001 certified packaging factory with a GMP-compliant workshop, we're committed to delivering the highest quality products to our customers. Whether you need standard tubes or custom-designed solutions, we have the expertise and capabilities to meet your needs.
Don't settle for subpar cryo tubes—choose a partner that understands the importance of your work. Let us help you protect your samples and advance your research with our reliable PP storage vials.