Ecolab Life Sciences Launches Purolite™ AP+50 Resin to Enhance Bioprocessing Efficiency and Drive Down Manufacturing Costs
Ecolab Life Sciences, a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions, has introduced a groundbreaking innovation in bioprocessing purification with the launch of Purolite™ AP+50, a next-generation affinity chromatography resin. This new product is engineered specifically to enhance manufacturing productivity across the antibody production value chain, enabling pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to achieve improved efficiency, significant cost reductions, and operational reliability.
The launch of Purolite™ AP+50 comes at a time when the biopharmaceutical sector faces increasing pressure to streamline operations and reduce the cost of goods (COGs) in the production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and related biologics. With rapid advancements in biologic therapies and increased global demand, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) and in-house biomanufacturers are seeking advanced technologies that combine high-performance purification with reliable scalability. Ecolab’s latest offering directly addresses these industry needs.
Superior Performance Through Advanced Resin Engineering
Purolite™ AP+50 distinguishes itself through a number of innovative features. Most notably, it boasts the highest dynamic binding capacity within Ecolab’s Purolite AP resin platform. This exceptional performance is achieved through its 50-micron bead size, which provides a greater surface area and enhanced interaction with target molecules, resulting in efficient monoclonal antibody capture and higher productivity per unit of resin.
In addition to its high binding capacity, Purolite™ AP+50 offers exceptional durability, making it ideal for rigorous downstream processes in antibody manufacturing. This durability supports extended resin lifecycles, enabling greater operational efficiency and lower replacement costs over time.
The resin also benefits from Ecolab’s patented Jetted resin bead manufacturing technology, a proprietary method that ensures lot-to-lot consistency and superior bead uniformity. This consistency significantly reduces variability in downstream processes, facilitating process validation and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. The Jetted bead technology also allows for faster production and shorter lead times, enhancing supply chain responsiveness.
Enabling Cost-Effective and Flexible Manufacturing
The launch of Purolite AP+50 aligns with Ecolab Life Sciences’ broader mission to support pharmaceutical innovation while enhancing process economy and reducing manufacturing risk. As companies across the biopharma landscape increasingly prioritize dual sourcing strategies and supply chain resilience, Ecolab’s expanded resin portfolio presents a robust and flexible solution set.
“Our resins are designed to help customers improve their product development platforms and implement next-generation manufacturing processes as well as enhance dual sourcing strategies that can reduce costs and bolster supply chains,” said Meeta Gulyani, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ecolab Bioprocessing. “The ability to effectively improve process economics while maintaining purity is the gold standard of resin purification. As pharmaceutical and biotech companies seek to increase savings and improve business continuity, they are requiring innovative solutions to accelerate and de-risk manufacturing.”
A Complete Suite of Purification Tools
Purolite AP+50 is the latest addition to Ecolab’s comprehensive Purolite Resin Affinity Toolbox, an expanding suite of solutions designed to address complex purification challenges across biologics manufacturing. This launch follows the recent introductions of:
- Purolite DurA Cycle™ A50, a resin specifically engineered for extended operational lifetimes, supporting greater column reuse and improved resin longevity.
- Purolite 70 CH1, which is targeted for the purification of complex antibody fragments and smaller biologic molecules that require highly selective capture techniques.
Together, these purification resins enable customers to design more intensive, cost-efficient bioprocesses while maintaining stringent quality and performance standards. This is especially critical in late-stage clinical development and commercial-scale manufacturing, where even minor gains in yield or resin reuse can translate into significant cost savings and production scalability.
Showcased at BIO International Convention 2025
Ecolab is formally introducing Purolite AP+50 at the prestigious 2025 BIO International Convention, taking place from June 16 to 19, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts. The event is one of the largest global gatherings for the biotechnology sector, attracting leaders from across the pharmaceutical, medical, and life sciences industries.
Conference attendees are encouraged to visit Ecolab’s booth (#1971) to learn more about the performance characteristics of the Purolite AP+50 resin. In addition, Ecolab will be presenting a technical session at the BPI (Bioprocess International) Theatre on Tuesday, June 17, at 2:40 p.m. EDT, where experts will delve deeper into the science behind the resin and its role in supporting intensified manufacturing strategies.
Expanded Technical Support Capabilities
The launch of Purolite AP+50 also coincides with the recent opening of Ecolab’s new Bioprocessing Applications Lab located in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. This state-of-the-art facility enhances Ecolab’s ability to provide technical support, training, and customized resin evaluation for customers throughout North America.
The new U.S.-based lab complements Ecolab’s existing applications center in the United Kingdom, creating a dual-continent technical support network. These labs play a critical role in offering:
- Resin screening services to match the right product to specific bioprocessing needs,
- Process development assistance to help integrate new resins into existing workflows,
- Customized evaluations to meet client-specific performance goals and regulatory expectations.
This expansion underscores Ecolab’s commitment to supporting its global customer base with localized, responsive service and access to cutting-edge research and development infrastructure.
Meeting the Needs of a Growing Market
As the global demand for biologics continues to grow—fueled by new therapeutic modalities such as bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and cell and gene therapies—manufacturers are increasingly investing in resin technologies that combine precision, scalability, and sustainability.
Ecolab Life Sciences’ resin platform, led by innovations like Purolite AP+50, is positioned to play a key role in this transformation. By delivering high-performance materials backed by comprehensive technical support, Ecolab is enabling manufacturers to accelerate product timelines, reduce risk, and scale efficiently, all while maintaining uncompromising product quality.
About Ecolab Life Sciences
Ecolab Life Sciences is a division of Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services. Ecolab Life Sciences partners with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and personal care manufacturers to safeguard product quality, improve process efficiency, and ensure regulatory compliance across the entire product lifecycle.
Through its Purolite division, Ecolab provides high-performance resin technologies for downstream bioprocessing, offering a full range of ion exchange, affinity, and adsorbent resins to support pharmaceutical production from research through commercialization.
In Summary:
The unveiling of Purolite™ AP+50 represents a strategic advancement in resin technology, aimed at driving cost-effective, high-yield antibody purification. As biopharmaceutical manufacturing continues to evolve toward more flexible and efficient platforms, Ecolab Life Sciences stands at the forefront with innovative solutions designed for the future of therapeutic production.
About Ecolab
A trusted partner for millions of customers, Ecolab (NYSE:ECL) is a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life. Building on more than a century of innovation, Ecolab has annual sales of $16 billion, employs approximately 48,000 associates and operates in more than 170 countries around the world. The company delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, maintain clean and safe environments, and optimize water and energy use. Ecolab’s innovative solutions improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, high tech, life sciences, hospitality and industrial markets.
