In modern diagnostics, precision is everything. From sample integrity to analytical accuracy, even the smallest deviation can compromise results. One of the most critical, often invisible, enablers of this precision is liquid level detection. Behind it lies a combination of advanced automation, carefully designed consumables, and materials engineered to perform consistently at scale.
For more than 25 years, Premix and Nolato Treff have worked closely together to support this precision. What began as a technical collaboration has evolved into a long-term partnership built on trust, continuous development, and a shared commitment to quality.
“From the very beginning, this collaboration has been about much more than supplying a material,” says Eira Kärjä, Business Director at Premix.
“It’s about building long-term trust, understanding each other’s processes, and developing solutions together that stand the test of time, especially in such a demanding industry as diagnostics.”
The Rise of Liquid Level Detection in Diagnostics
As laboratory automation expanded in the early 2000s, liquid level detection became a game-changing technology. By enabling automated systems to sense liquid surfaces accurately, laboratories could reduce carry-over, minimize sample waste, and improve reliability, even when working with very small volumes.
Capacitive liquid level detection, in particular, relies on consumables that behave not only mechanically like standard plastics, but also electrically like sensing components. This dual requirement places exceptional demands on materials and manufacturing processes alike.
Where Materials Make the Difference
Liquid level detection depends on electrically conductive polymers that deliver stable, predictable electrical performance without compromising processability or mechanical properties.
Premix has specialized in conductive and functional polymer compounds since the 1980s. Over the past 25 years, Premix has worked closely with Nolato Treff to continuously refine material performance focusing on:
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Stable and controlled electrical resistivity
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Consistent material behavior over time
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Compatibility with high-speed injection molding
- Predictable performance and batch traceability enabled by online production data
This continuous improvement is essential to achieve the precision required for reliable liquid level detection, where even minor variations in material behavior can affect sensing accuracy.
Manufacturing Excellence: From Material to Millions of Tips
Angle: Performance at scale
While material performance is critical, it is only one side of the equation. Translating advanced materials into millions of identical, high-performing consumables requires deep manufacturing expertise.
Over the years, Nolato Treff has continuously optimized its injection molding processes to meet the demanding requirements of diagnostic consumables:
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Dimensional stability, ensuring consistent geometry and performance
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High-speed production, supporting large volumes without sacrificing quality
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Exceptional repeatability, batch after batch
This manufacturing excellence is built on close collaboration between material and process development.
For more than two decades, Premix and Nolato Treff have worked side by side together with OEM partners to fine-tune both material quality and processing conditions. This ongoing collaboration ensures that materials are not only theoretically suitable, but practically optimized for real-world, high-volume production.
The collaboration logic is clear and complementary: Premix delivers material performance, consistency, and long-term stability and Nolato Treff translates this into process optimization and manufacturing excellence.
“High-performance materials are essential, but they only create value when they can be processed consistently at scale,” says Joel Frehner, Team Leader Procurement& Export from Nolato Treff.
“By working closely with Premix, we’ve been able to optimize our injection molding processes to deliver dimensional stability, high-speed production, and repeatability, batch after batch.”
Quality Compliance and Predictable Change
In the diagnostics industry, material performance is inseparable from regulatory compliance. Changes in materials or processes can trigger costly revalidation efforts and disrupt customer operations. IVD manufacturers must guarantee constant high quality and identical performance of all production lots to secure patient safety and reliable diagnostics for everyone.
A key strength of the Premix–Nolato partnership is proactive change management. Premix maintains a structured approach to formulation control, raw material sourcing, and production equipment, and communicates any potential changes transparently and well in advance.
This allows Nolato Treff and its customers to maintain validated systems, ensure traceability, and avoid unnecessary risk. In regulated environments, such predictability is not just beneficial, it is essential.
Resilience Through Market Disruptions
The past years have highlighted the importanceof resilient supply chains. During periods of global disruption, transparent communication and reliable delivery became as important as technical performance.
Through close collaboration, Premix and Nolato Treff were able to maintain continuity and support customers even under challenging conditions. This resilience reinforced the partnership and demonstrated itsvalue beyond normal operating environments.
A Partnership That Continues to Evolve
Liquid handling technology continues to advance, driven by higher throughput, smaller volumes, and increasing regulatory expectations. As diagnostics evolves, so do the demands placed on materials and manufacturing.
The long-standing collaboration between Premix and Nolato Treff is built to meet these future challenges. It is a partnership grounded in shared expertise, continuous development, and a mutual commitment to quality.
