INDUSTRIAL R&D LABORATORY SOLUTION

Industrial R&D Laboratory Furniture Designed for Changing Research Workflows

Industrial R&D laboratories are built around research, testing and product development—not fixed routines. Research priorities can change from one project to the next, while laboratory furniture is expected to remain in service for years.

ZH Labs develops R&D laboratory furniture solutions around your workflow, including worktops, fume hoods, storage, utilities and modular laboratory configurations.

Discuss Your R&D Laboratory Project Explore Typical Configurations

What Makes Industrial R&D Laboratory Furniture Different?

An industrial research laboratory often brings several activities together. Chemical synthesis, formulation development, analytical testing and sample preparation may operate within the same R&D center.

Each activity can require a different combination of worktop materials, fume hood types, storage and laboratory utilities.

Research programs can also change quickly. A laboratory designed around one process today may need to support a different process next year.

With more than two decades of laboratory furniture manufacturing experience, ZH Labs provides furniture solutions for chemical, materials, electronics, new energy and biopharmaceutical research environments.

Five Common Challenges in Industrial R&D Laboratories

The furniture specification should follow the research process, chemical environment and future needs of the facility.

1. Fume Hood Selection Must Match the Research Process

Steel fume hoods can suit general chemistry, while PP hoods are intended for concentrated acids and strong alkalis. Solvent compatibility also needs to be reviewed case by case.

2. Different R&D Teams Need Different Work Surfaces

Chemical synthesis, formulation, analytical testing and sample preparation can require different combinations of chemical resistance, cleanability, stability and cut resistance.

3. Chemical Storage Must Follow Compatibility

R&D facilities may store flammable solvents, corrosive acids, toxic reagents and reference standards. General-purpose storage is not appropriate for every chemical.

4. Changing Research Programs Can Make Fixed Furniture a Bottleneck

Research priorities may change from one project to another. Fixed workbenches, utility points and ducting can make laboratory changes disruptive and expensive.

5. Project Schedules Require Responsive Technical Support

Furniture delays can affect equipment installation, commissioning and laboratory startup. Layout changes can also occur during the design stage.

How We Solve These Problems

Our approach matches each laboratory zone to its process, materials, equipment and future operating needs.

Fume Hood Specification by Process

We match fume hood construction to the chemical process. Steel is used for general chemistry workflows, while PP is considered for concentrated-acid and strong-alkali applications. The complete chemical inventory is reviewed before final selection.

Worktop Specification by Zone

Chemical synthesis can use epoxy or PP. Formulation development can use 304 or 316L stainless steel. Analytical testing can use solid phenolic or epoxy, while sample preparation can use chemical-resistant phenolic.

Segregated Chemical Storage

Storage can be divided between reagent cabinets, flammable liquid storage cabinets and corrosive cabinets. Toxic, oxidizing or pyrophoric materials require a chemical inventory assessment.

Modular, Reconfigurable Layout

Where suitable, the laboratory can incorporate standardized cabinets, detachable connectors and relocatable water points with quick-couplers. Electrical reconnection must be completed by a licensed electrician.

Project-Based Delivery

From confirmed drawings to shipping, the typical delivery period is 3–6 weeks depending on product type and quantity. Technical questions are answered within 24 hours, with design adjustments accommodated during the design phase.

Future-Oriented Planning

We consider current workflows together with potential changes to research programs, helping reduce unnecessary rework when laboratory priorities evolve.

Industrial R&D Laboratory Furniture Built Around Each Zone

Worktop Materials Selected by Application

Different research activities can require different worktop materials rather than one surface throughout the facility.

Chemical synthesis: Epoxy resin or PP
Formulation development: acier inoxydable 304 ou 316L
Analytical testing: Solid phenolic or epoxy with steel structure
Préparation de l'échantillon : Chemical-resistant phenolic

Segregated Laboratory Storage

torage is organized according to chemical type and compatibility.

Reagent cabinets for general laboratory chemicals
Flammable liquid storage cabinets for flammable solvents
Corrosive cabinets for corrosive reagents
Additional assessment for toxic, oxidizing and pyrophoric materials

Mobilier de laboratoire modulaire

Standardized cabinets, detachable connections and relocatable utility points can support suitable applications where future changes are expected.

Optional Anti-Static & Instrument Support

Optional features include anti-static worktops with a stated surface-resistance range of 10⁶–10⁹ Ω and anti-vibration isolation pads for precision instrument workbenches.

Typical Industrial R&D Laboratory Furniture Configurations

Different research activities can be supported with different combinations of worktops, fume hoods and storage.

Zone de travail	Matériau du plan de travail	Fume Hood Type	Storage Cabinet	Configuration des clés
Chemical Synthesis	Epoxy / PP	PP	Reagent cabinet	Acidalkali resistant; separate flammable liquid storage cabinets required for flammable solvents.
Formulation Development	304 SS / 316L SS	Steel	Reagent cabinet, glassware cabinet	Easy-clean surface, corrosion resistant
Analytical Testing	Solid phenolic / Epoxy	Application-dependent	Reagent cabinet, sample cabinet	Flat, stable surface for instruments
Sample Preparation	Solid phenolic	Steel	Corrosive cabinet, glassware cabinet	Chemical and cut resistant

In addition to the four work areas above, every industrial R&D floor should include a dedicated storage zone (reagent, flammable liquid, and corrosive cabinets) and a waste zone with a segregation cabinet located near the exit, so that samples and waste move in one direction and cross-contamination is reduced.

Applicable International Standards

Industrial R&D lab furniture should be designed and tested to the same international standards as laboratory furniture generally:

EN 13150 — Laboratory workbench dimensions, stability, and strength
EN 16121 — Storage cabinet safety and performance
EN 14175 — Fume hood performance (Part 2: safety and performance requirements; Part 3: type-test methods; Part 4: on-site testing and commissioning)
EN 14470-1 — Flammable liquid storage cabinets
SEFA 8M-2016 — Essais structurels de menuiserie métallique
SEFA 3-2020 — Lab worktop résistance chimique

Our products are designed to meet these standards. For the complete certification list, refer to the Lab Solutions top-level page.

Industrial R&D Laboratory Projects

Case 1: Chemical Synthesis R&D Center

The lab handles concentrated acids and flammable solvents. Original general-purpose steel fume hoods suffered significant corrosion under continuous concentrated-acid operating conditions within 18 months. We replaced them with PP fume hoods for acid handling. Storage was reorganized into flammable liquid storage cabinets and corrosive cabinets. Two-year follow-up showed no corrosion and no safety audit findings.

Case 2: Multi-Team R&D Center

One floor hosts chemical synthesis, formulation development, and analytical testing. Original single-material worktops failed in multiple zones. We specified epoxy for synthesis, 304 stainless steel for formulation, and solid phenolic for analytical. Each team now has the right worktop for their workflow.

Case 3: Fast-Track R&D Lab Setup

Client needed a new R&D lab operational within 8 weeks. We confirmed drawings in week 1, started production in week 2, and loaded for shipping in week 4. On-site installation and commissioning were completed by the client’s local contractor. Lab was operational on schedule.

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Industrial R&D Laboratory Furniture FAQ

What is the best fume hood for an industrial R&D laboratory?

There is no single fume hood material for every R&D application. Steel fume hoods can suit general chemistry and routine acid handling, while PP fume hoods are intended for concentrated acids and strong alkalis. Solvent compatibility, temperature and strong oxidizing media should also be reviewed before final selection.

Can different worktop materials be used in the same R&D laboratory?

Yes. Worktop materials can be selected by laboratory zone or research activity. Chemical synthesis areas can use epoxy or PP, formulation areas can use stainless steel, and analytical areas can use solid phenolic.

How should chemicals be stored in an industrial R&D laboratory?

Storage should be organized according to chemical type and compatibility. General chemicals can be stored in reagent cabinets, flammable solvents in flammable liquid storage cabinets, and corrosive chemicals in corrosive cabinets. Toxic, oxidizing and pyrophoric materials require additional assessment.

How long does industrial R&D laboratory furniture take to deliver?

Delivery from confirmed drawings to factory shipping typically takes 3–6 weeks, depending on product type and order quantity. On-site installation and commissioning are quoted separately. Technical questions are normally answered within 24 hours.

Can R&D laboratory furniture be reconfigured when research priorities change?

Where the application allows, modular cabinets, detachable connectors and relocatable utility points can be incorporated into the design. Electrical reconnection should be completed by a licensed electrician, and hazardous-area requirements must be considered before specifying quick-connect systems.

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Plan Your Industrial R&D Laboratory Around Your Research Workflow

Share your research activities, chemicals, equipment, laboratory layout and project schedule. Our team can develop a furniture configuration around your current workflow and future requirements.

Disclaimer: All material and configuration recommendations are provided for reference only. Final specifications should be validated against the complete chemical inventory, equipment requirements, applicable EHS requirements and local regulations.