Inside the Applikon BioBench.
The Applikon BioBench is a high-performance stainless-steel bioreactor system built for bench-scale fermentation and cell culture — the smallest member of the Applikon stainless-steel scale-up family and the natural scale-up from glass bioreactors when your process needs cGMP-grade hardware. The BioBench is available as a cGMP and non-GMP version and can be configured accoding to your needs. Designed for simple, reliable control in a footprint that occupies less than 1.3 m² of bench space, the BioBench delivers reproducible results at every stage of bench-scale bioprocess development — from media optimization and feeding-strategy refinement through to first-stage process characterisation and the technical readiness work that precedes a pilot transfer. It supports microbial fermentation and mammalian cell culture across Batch, Fed-Batch, Perfusion and Continuous modes, in dedicated cell-culture and microbial vessel geometries.
Built with Excellence and Experience.
The BioBench is engineered by Applikon, a leading stainless-steel fermenter manufacturer with decades of experience designing bioreactor systems for the global biopharmaceutical industry. Every BioBench is built to the latest hygienic processing standards with a cGMP-compliant design and full documentation (if required) — simplifying validation from day one. The compact 1590 × 800 × 1510 mm footprint makes it ideal for labs with limited bench space, and consistent engineering design with the BioPilot ensures seamless process transfer to the next scale up.
Ease of Setup with Advanced Process Control.
The BioBench is built on Applikon’s modular architecture and configured with a range of standard add-on packs — including pressure control, weight control, feed control, biomass sensors and perfusion systems — letting you tailor the system precisely to your application. All vessels feature an electropolished interior surface finish of Ra ≤ 0.4 µm, minimising biofilm adhesion and simplifying cleaning and sterilisation across long-running bench-scale campaigns. Operating parameters cover up to 2.5 bar pressure and 150 °C sterilisation temperature, with full SIP/CIP capability integrated.
The BioBench integrates with Applikon’s ez2Control bioprocess control platforms, paired with Lucullus PIMS process management software for advanced data acquisition, recipe management and audit-trail-ready records. The system accepts sensors from AppliSens, Hamilton, Mettler Toledo, BlueSens and ABER sensor families — covering pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, biomass, off-gas analysis and more. Sampling runs through an optional re-sterilisable sample system in a DN25 port in the lower side wall, with a re-sterilisable bottom-mounted bellows drain for harvest — meeting the documentation and cleanliness standards required for GMP-ready processes.
Available BioBench Volumes
The BioBench is available in 2 vessel sizes to suit your bench-scale requirements. Working volumes range from 4 L to 22.5 L across all configurations.
Cell-culture geometries
- 1 BioBench 20 L — working volume 4–15 L (3 : 1 aspect)
- 2 BioBench 30 L — working volume 7–22.5 L (2 : 1 aspect)
Microbial geometries
- 1 BioBench 20 L — working volume 4–15 L (3 : 1 aspect)
Each BioBench is designed for direct scale-up to the Applikon BioPilot — same impeller and sparger geometry families, same controller stack — so process knowledge transfers cleanly from bench to pilot scale.
| Attributes | Applikon BioBench Stainless Steel Bioreactor 20L Cell Culture | Applikon BioBench Stainless Steel Bioreactor 30L Cell Culture | Applikon BioBench Stainless Steel Bioreactor 20L Microbial |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 – Core Physical & Construction | |||
| Volume | 20 L | 30 L | 20 L |
| Working volume range | 4 – 15 L | 7 – 22.5 L | 4 – 15 L |
| Cell Type | Cell Culture and Microbial | Cell Culture and Microbial | Microbial |
| Aspect ratio working volume | 2.2 : 1 | 1.6 : 1 | 2.2 : 1 |
| Aspect ratio total volume | 3 : 1 | 2 : 1 | 3 : 1 |
| Compatible motor types | Brushless Motor M14 / M33 | Brushless Motor M14 / M33 | Brushless Motor M33 |
| Impeller types | Marine / Rushton | Marine / Rushton | Rushton |
| L2 – System Properties & Process Parameters | |||
| Agitation / mixing speed (rpm) | 0 – 1000 rpm | 0 – 260 rpm | 0 – 1000 rpm |
| Motor torque | 3.3 Nm | 0.92 Nm / 2.43 Nm | 3.3 Nm |
| Impeller Power no. Np | 3 / 3 x 6 | 3 / 3 x 6 | 3 x 6 |
| Max tip speed (m/s) | 3.8 / 3.9 | 3.3 / 2.0 | 3.9 |
| Mixing Time Tm (sec) | 5.7 / 0.8 | — | — |
| Technology Platform | Multi-Use |
| Wall Type | Jacketed |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Autoclavable | Yes |
| Max operating temperature | 150 °C |
| SIP / CIP capability | Yes |
| Max sterilization temperature | 150 °C |
| Max operating pressure | 2.5 bar |
| Footprint | 1590 x 800 x 1510 mm |
| Drive system | Magnetically coupled /Optional mechanical seal |
| Gas sparger types | Porous sparger / L-Sparger / Ring-type sparger |
| Max Power (W) | 360 |
| Sampling port | Optional re-sterilizable sample system in DN25 port in lower side wall |
| Harvest port | Re-sterilizable bottom mounted bellows drain |
| Geometric similarity maintained | Yes |
| GMP-ready configuration available | Yes |
| Scale transfer support | Yes |
| Platform scalability range | 20L – 270 L |
| IQ/OQ/PQ support | Yes |
| Recommended service interval | 12 months |
| Warranty period | 12 months |
| Lead time | Approx. 12 months |
| Validation documentation available | Yes |
Research & Process Development.
The BioBench is optimized for early-stage bioprocess development at bench scale. Its precise control of pH, DO, temperature, and agitation — across Batch, Fed-Batch, Perfusion, and Continuous modes — makes it the standard tool for establishing and refining processes before advancing to pilot scale.
Screening & Optimization.
With working volumes from 4 L to 22.5 L across two vessel sizes, the BioBench enables systematic evaluation of media formulations, feeding strategies, and process parameters. Its modular add-on architecture supports biomass sensing and feed control — essential for high-quality optimization runs.
Scale-Up.
The BioBench is the entry point of the Applikon stainless steel scale-up series. Geometric similarity and consistent engineering design across BioBench (20–30 L), BioPilot (30–270 L), and BioProduction (up to 5,000 L) ensure reproducible process transfer at every stage — minimizing risk when moving from bench to production.
GMP Transition.
Built with a cGMP compliant design and full validation documentation (IQ/OQ/PQ support), the BioBench bridges the gap between research and regulated manufacturing. Its electropolished interior (Ra ≤ 0.4 µm), SIP/CIP capability, and re-sterilizable sampling port support the documentation and cleanliness standards required for GMP-ready processes.
Compatible bioreactor types
Compatible controllers
Compatible software
Compatible Perfusion Device
Compatible sensors
- AppliSens pH-Sensor
- AppliSens DO₂-Sensor
- Hamilton CO₂NTROL Arc Sensor
- Hamilton Dencytee Arc The Hamilton Dencytee ARC is an intelligent optical sensor for total cell densit…
- Hamilton EasyFerm Plus Arc
- Hamilton VisiFerm DO₂ Arc Sensor
- Hamilton Incyte Arc Intelligent capacitance sensor for real-time viable cell density (VCD) measureme…
- Repligen MAVEN Glucose and Lactate Sensor
-
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See the Applikon BioBench in action
Applikon BioBench / BioPilot / BioProduction — Stainless-steel bioreactor range
The transition point from glass to stainless.
The BioBench is where bioprocess development steps up from glass-scale work into stainless steel hardware. Volume range overlaps with the largest Applikon Autoclavable Glass Bioreaktor vessels— but the engineering shift is what matters: the BioBench introduces Sterilisation-in-Place (SIP) and Clean-in-Place (CIP) regimes in place of autoclaving, electropolished stainless-steel construction in place of borosilicate glass, re-sterilisable sampling and harvest ports in place of standard sample pipes, and cGMP-compliant documentation in place of validation-as-needed. For development teams targeting clinical or commercial upstream production, that shift moves the bench-scale platform from research instrument to validation-ready hardware.
The strategic value compounds: a process developed on the BioBench is already running on the same control architecture, the same SIP/CIP regime and the same documentation lineage as the BioPilot it will transfer to next. The transition from bench to pilot loses none of the validation work invested upstream — and the geometry-similar handover into the BioPilot keeps process parameters consistent through the most expensive stage of any bioprocess programme.
cGMP compliance built in, not bolted on
The BioBench is built to cGMP-compliant standards from the ground up rather than retrofitted. The electropolished interior surface (Ra ≤ 0.4 µm) minimises biofilm adhesion and meets the cleanliness standards required for GMP-ready processes. SIP and CIP capability make the system suitable for repeated long-campaign operation under regulated conditions. Full validation documentation with IQ/OQ/PQ support simplifies qualification from day one, and the re-sterilisable bottom-mounted bellows drain plus optional re-sterilisable sample system ensure sterile sampling and harvest across the full campaign duration.
For organisations preparing for GMP transition, the BioBench is the natural bench-scale platform: it bridges the gap between research and regulated manufacturing without the larger footprint or longer commissioning cycle of a pilot system. The same compliance posture, qualification approach and documentation lineage apply — at lab-scale volumes that fit a development bench.
The BioBench is available in configurations tailored to the specific requirements of each customer. For organisations that do not operate under GMP conditions, the system can be delivered without extensive cGMP documentation—reducing complexity while maintaining the same robust engineering and performance.
What is the BioBench workflow?
The BioBench workflow runs across three phases.
Configure. Specify the vessel at order time: cell-culture or microbial geometry, total volume (20 L or 30 L), drive system (magnetically coupled or optional mechanical seal), motor specification, sparger type (porous, L-sparger or ring-type), sensor format, and add-on packs (pressure control, weight control, feed control, perfusion). The cell-culture vessels are sized for mammalian cell culture, stem-cell expansion, regenerative medicine and viral-vector production; the microbial vessel — with its 3 : 1 total-volume aspect ratio — delivers the higher tip speeds and gas-transfer rates demanded by high-density bacterial and yeast fermentations. Resea Biotec’s specialists work through the configuration with you to match the system exactly to your process and upstream scale-up plan as well as validation package.
Develop. Run bench-scale process development on stainless steel hardware: optimise media, refine feeding strategies, characterise process parameters across pH, DO, temperature, agitation and feed control, and lock the validated protocol that will move into pilot scale. All four cultivation modes — Batch, Fed-Batch, Perfusion and Continuous — are supported on the same vessel platform, controlled through Applikon’s ez2Control platform with Lucullus PIMS integration for traceable, reproducible operation. SIP/CIP cycles support repeated long-campaign operation, and the re-sterilisable sampling port keeps long campaigns aseptic from end to end.
Scale up. When the bench-scale process is locked, geometric similarity and consistent engineering design across the Applikon stainless-steel family let you transfer the validated protocol directly onto the BioPilot (30–270 L) — and onward into BioProduction (up to 5,000 L). Process parameters established on the BioBench translate cleanly upward without the geometry shift that occurs at the glass-to-stainless boundary.
Why use the BioBench?
- The transition point from glass to stainless — same volume range as the largest Applikon Autoclavable Glass Bioreaktor, but with SIP/CIP, electropolished stainless-steel construction and full cGMP documentation lineage.
- cGMP-compliant by design — electropolished interior (Ra ≤ 0.4 µm), SIP/CIP, re-sterilisable bellows drain, full IQ/OQ/PQ documentation, ready for regulated bioprocess workflows.
- Four cultivation modes on one platform — Batch, Fed-Batch, Perfusion and Continuous, controlled through Livit Flex and my-Control with Lucullus PIMS traceability.
- Compact footprint — 1590 × 800 × 1510 mm fits any standard lab, with no compromise on performance or compliance posture vs larger pilot systems.
- Direct geometric similarity to BioPilot — process parameters locked on the BioBench transfer cleanly onto the BioPilot (30–270 L) and into BioProduction (up to 5,000 L).
Spec your BioBench with Resea Biotec
The Applikon BioBench is a bench-scale stainless-steel bioreactor, available in 20 L and 30 L vessels with working volumes from 4 L to 22.5 L — built for the moment bioprocess development becomes validation-ready. cGMP-compliant construction, an electropolished interior (Ra ≤ 0.4 µm), SIP/CIP and full IQ/OQ/PQ documentation make the BioBench the natural step between glass autoclavable bioreactors and full pilot-scale stainless-steel production.
Bench-scale stainless steel is where bioprocess development becomes validation-ready — the point where research workflows take on the regulatory posture of production. Resea Biotec is Switzerland’s official Applikon distributor and certified service partner — based in Recherswil, supporting customers across Switzerland with local support and on-site service.
Talk to our team and we’ll spec the right BioBench configuration for your bioprocess, coordinate required documentation, and stay on hand for application, validation and maintenance support throughout the system’s life. Whether you’re moving validated R&D into stainless steel process development, characterising a process for later scale-up onto the BioPilot, or preparing a programme for technology transfer into clinical production — we’ll help you get there.
BioBench & BioPilot Documentation
Download the official Applikon BioBench and BioPilot brochure and technical documents.
BioBench and BioPilot — Multi-use Bioreactors
Full technical specifications, applications and service information for the BioBench and BioPilot stainless steel bioreactor range.
