Neogen® Petrifilm® Plates: A More Sustainable Solution for the Food Safety Industry
June 05, 2024

Sustainability is an imperative goal for companies all over the world, driven by a collective recognition of the profound impact businesses have on the environment and society. Sustainable business practices not only align with ethical considerations but also enhance brand reputation, foster innovation, and appeal to an environmentally conscious consumer base.
For 40 years, Petrifilm Plates have helped customers reach their sustainability goals by reducing waste, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy, and consuming less water. All while helping to streamline, standardize, and simplify the entire process of microbial indicator testing. And for the next 40 years, Neogen’s commitment to sustainability will remain steadfast.
When technicians choose Petrifilm over traditional agar-based methods, the impact on our environment is substantial. Beyond minimizing the manual labor of microbial testing, Petrifilm Plates help reduce raw material usage, energy consumption, and lab equipment required to prepare traditional agar media.
“Before Petrifilm, laboratory technicians dedicated extensive hours to the intricate preparation of microbiological media, involving resource-intensive processes including mixing agar, adjusting pH, and meticulously autoclaving and tempering solutions,” says Dr. Sailaja Chandrapati, director of intellectual property strategy, Neogen. “This not only posed a significant burden on time and resources but also took a toll on the environment, in terms of energy use and water waste.”
Petrifilm Plate savings for the environment when compared to agar:
- 76% less energy
- 79% less water
- 75% less CHG emissions
- 66% less waste
By switching to Petrifilm, food safety technicians around the world have collectively helped to save more than 2.85 billion liters of water over the past 40 years. They’ve also conserved enough energy to power 2.3 trillion 60-watt light bulbs AND reduced solid waste by 4.4 billion kilograms.
These are powerful numbers.
But the reach extends far beyond environmental impact alone. Economic viability through responsible governance practices is equally critical for businesses. The long-term financial success of companies is ultimately built on the productivity and efficiency of their processes and employees, and Petrifilm can be a key ingredient to that success.
Petrifilm Plate savings for businesses when compared to agar:
- Enhance productivity by 48% on average
- Count up to 900 plates per hour with the Petrifilm Plate Reader Advanced
- Data in up to half the time
- Up to 85% less space than agar dishes
Petrifilm Plates can have a transformative impact on responsible governance in the food safety industry. They can enhance productivity by an average of 48 percent and when paired with the Petrifilm Plate Reader Advanced, up to 900 plates can be counted per hour. In addition, streamlined data processing is achieved up to half the time, significantly expediting the analytical workflow. Petrifilm Plates free up 85 percent of the space required by traditional agar methods, which aids in resource optimization and sustainable laboratory practices.
Empowering customers through training and education
Education and training play a crucial role in fostering social governance for businesses, and we are committed to empowering our customers with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their operations. In an ongoing effort to facilitate continuous improvement and the adoption of best practices, we offer robust educational support and training to laboratory personnel each year.
A testament to this commitment: Our experts conducted extensive training sessions, reaching over 13,000 food safety professionals in 2023.
“Our training and education team is a group of exceptionally talented technical experts,” says Annie Simmons, field application scientist for Neogen. “This dedicated team engages directly with customers and delves into their unique needs. Our technical specialists then craft training programs informed by these insightful discussions and address these concerns through targeted training initiatives. We’ve significantly expanded our on-demand portfolio, making a wealth of training resources readily accessible online for the convenience of our customers.”
This proactive approach not only underscores our dedication to customer success but also highlights the significance of education as a cornerstone for effective social governance in the realm of food safety.
Calculating the impact
Another tool that has become a popular and helpful resource for our customers is the Petrifilm Sustainability Calculator, which helps companies understand the reduction of their environmental impact with Petrifilm Plates instead of agar plates.
“In every company, there’s someone who spearheads sustainability initiatives, and Petrifilm helps them simplify their narrative,” says Annie. “Our Sustainability Calculator tool allows customers to effortlessly convey their sustainability impact. By inputting just a few key figures, the calculator quickly quantifies the gallons of water saved annually and the significant reduction in solid waste attributed to the use of Petrifilm Plates.”
Investing sustainably
Our commitment to pioneering food safety solutions remains unwavering, as demonstrated by the recent investment in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan. The cutting-edge facility serves as a testament to Neogen’s vision and provides a robust infrastructure for the development and production of groundbreaking technologies. Sustainability and social responsibility play a pivotal role in these investments and exemplify our holistic approach to shaping a future where food safety innovations align with environmental and societal well-being.
“At Neogen, we are committed to conducting business responsibly, with social consciousness, and utmost transparency,” says Mario De la Torre, global portfolio marketer, Neogen. “We are dedicated to fostering future innovation through robust investments, crafting advanced technological platforms to enhance efficiency for our customers. Petrifilm is and has been at the forefront of sustainable food safety innovation, and we are poised to continue to make a lasting impact on the industry for years to come.”
Category: Food Safety, Food & Beverage, Pet Food, Microbiology