IKA launches eco-friendly cooled incubator
IKA-Werke is expanding its portfolio of temperature chambers with an environmentally friendly and resource-saving cooled incubator
11 Mar 2025Product news
IKA has expanded its INC series of laboratory incubators with the launch of the INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator, providing life science laboratories worldwide with precise temperature control, high energy efficiency and flexible capacity for microbiological tests, stability studies and cell cultivation. The new model complements the existing INC 125 F digital incubator and the INC 125 FS digital incubator shaker with patented removable shaking platform, offering laboratories a complete portfolio of temperature-controlled solutions for demanding applications.
Expanded INC series for life science applications
The INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator joins the classic INC 125 F digital incubator and the INC 125 FS digital incubator shaker to form a versatile range for life science workflows. All devices in the IKA INC series are designed for microbiological testing, stability studies and cell cultivation, supporting research, quality control and routine laboratory work.
Precise and safe temperature control
The INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator delivers precise temperature control and homogeneous temperature distribution throughout the inner chamber. It covers a wide temperature range from –5 to 100 °C and, with a chamber volume of 125 liters, offers the largest capacity in its class. This combination of range and volume enables reliable incubation conditions for a broad spectrum of samples and protocols.
Environmentally friendly and resource-saving cooling
The cooled incubator is equipped with the natural refrigerant R290 and a modern microchannel condenser, ensuring effective heat extraction from the incubator and efficient release into the environment. A demand-controlled electronic expansion valve enables precise control of refrigerant expansion, resulting in high cooling capacity and fast cooling rates while minimizing energy consumption.
Users benefit from rapid, reliable temperature recovery and significantly lower operating costs. Additional energy savings are supported by the insulation and a recirculation mode that can be set to ten levels. An integrated defrost function simplifies maintenance and increases operating efficiency, while any condensate can be continuously drained via the drain opening.
Hygienic working conditions
The inner chamber of the INC 125 FC digital is manufactured from corrosion-resistant AISI 304 material, ensuring durability and easy cleaning. Rounded corners and smooth interior surfaces further simplify cleaning procedures. A dedicated decontamination mode is available to disinfect the interior and help prevent cross-contamination between experiments.
Space-saving laboratory integration
To optimize use of limited laboratory space, up to two incubators from the IKA INC series can be stacked on top of each other using the appropriate accessories. This stacking capability allows laboratories to increase capacity without expanding their footprint.
Calibration and qualification support
On request, IKA can calibrate laboratory equipment from the INC series and document measurement and reference values under defined conditions. If required, IKA also supports users in qualifying their equipment and can provide a range of certificates and documentation prior to purchase, helping laboratories meet regulatory and quality management requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the key features and benefits of the IKA INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator for life science laboratories?
The IKA INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator offers precise and safe temperature control with a wide range from –5 to 100 °C and homogeneous temperature distribution throughout its 125-liter inner chamber, which is described as the largest capacity in its class. It is designed for microbiological testing, stability studies and cell cultivation, supporting research, quality control and routine laboratory work. The unit uses the natural refrigerant R290, a modern microchannel condenser and a demand-controlled electronic expansion valve to deliver high cooling capacity, fast cooling rates and low energy consumption. Additional benefits include rapid temperature recovery, significantly lower operating costs, insulation and a ten-level recirculation mode for further energy savings, as well as an integrated defrost function and continuous condensate drainage via a drain opening.
How does the IKA INC series (INC 125 FC, INC 125 F and INC 125 FS) support microbiological testing, stability studies and cell cultivation workflows?
The IKA INC series, comprising the INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator, the classic INC 125 F digital incubator and the INC 125 FS digital incubator shaker with a patented removable shaking platform, forms a versatile range for life science workflows. All devices in the series are designed specifically for microbiological tests, stability studies and cell cultivation, enabling laboratories to perform demanding applications in research, quality control and routine work. The INC 125 FC provides cooled incubation with precise temperature control and high capacity, the INC 125 F offers digital incubation, and the INC 125 FS adds shaking functionality for applications that require agitation, together delivering a complete portfolio of temperature-controlled solutions.
How does the IKA INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator optimize energy efficiency, hygiene and space utilization in the laboratory?
The IKA INC 125 FC digital cooled incubator optimizes energy efficiency through the use of natural refrigerant R290, a microchannel condenser and a demand-controlled electronic expansion valve that minimizes energy consumption while maintaining high cooling capacity and fast cooling rates. Insulation and a recirculation mode adjustable to ten levels further reduce energy use, and an integrated defrost function plus continuous condensate drainage increase operating efficiency. Hygienic working conditions are supported by a corrosion-resistant AISI 304 inner chamber with rounded corners and smooth surfaces for easy cleaning, along with a dedicated decontamination mode to disinfect the interior and help prevent cross-contamination. Space utilization is improved by the ability to stack up to two incubators from the IKA INC series using appropriate accessories, allowing laboratories to increase capacity without expanding their footprint, while IKA also offers calibration, qualification support and documentation to help meet regulatory and quality management requirements.