Waters Corporation: HPLC, UPLC & Mass Spectrometry Solutions
Founded in 1958 by James Logan Waters and headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts, Waters Corporation is one of the world's foremost analytical instrument companies. For over six decades, it has pioneered technologies in liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis that underpin drug safety testing, food quality control, environmental monitoring, and biochemical research globally.
Waters serves customers across pharmaceuticals, life sciences, food and beverage, environmental testing, clinical research, and industrial materials science. Its instruments, columns, consumables, and software are standard fixtures in both R&D and regulated GMP laboratories, with a manufacturing footprint spanning nine U.S. locations and eleven international sites including Wexford (Ireland), Wilmslow (UK), Singapore, and Shanghai.
The company operates through two reporting divisions: the Waters Division, covering liquid chromatography systems, columns, sample preparation products, and informatics software; and the TA Division, covering thermal analysis, rheometry, and calorimetry instruments through its TA Instruments subsidiary.
TA Instruments, VICAM & Wyatt: Inside the Waters Brand Family
Waters Corporation encompasses several specialized brands operating under its umbrella, each with distinct expertise:
TA Instruments Originally the Instrument Products Division of DuPont, TA Instruments became an independent company in 1990 and was acquired by Waters in 1996. Today it is the global leader in thermal analysis instrumentation, covering differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), rheometry, and microcalorimetry. Its products are widely used in polymer science, materials characterization, pharmaceuticals, and food science.
VICAM A Waters subsidiary focused on rapid mycotoxin and food contaminant testing. VICAM's immunoaffinity-based detection kits and columns are used by grain traders, food manufacturers, and regulatory bodies to screen for aflatoxin, ochratoxin, fumonisin, and other food safety hazards.
Wyatt Technology Acquired by Waters in 2023, Wyatt Technology is the leading developer of multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) instruments. Its DAWN and miniDAWN systems are the reference standard for absolute molecular weight and size characterization of polymers, proteins, and nanoparticles.
Empower Chromatography Data System (CDS) Waters' flagship software platform for chromatography data management in regulated environments. Empower is widely deployed in pharmaceutical QC and compliance settings, supporting 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 requirements.
MassLynx The data acquisition and processing software platform for Waters mass spectrometry systems. MassLynx integrates with Xevo and Synapt MS instruments and is the standard environment for quantitative and qualitative LC-MS analysis.
NuGenesis Laboratory Management System (LMS) A scientific data management platform that handles sample and result tracking across instrument types, bridging laboratory operations and regulatory documentation.
Waters HPLC Systems, UPLC Columns, Mass Spectrometers & Thermal Analyzers
UPLC & HPLC Systems Waters' chromatography system lineup spans entry-level HPLC through high-throughput UPLC platforms. Key systems include the ACQUITY UPLC I-Class and H-Class (sub-2 µm, up to 15,000 psi), the ACQUITY Arc (bridging HPLC and UPLC in a single platform), and the Alliance iS HPLC System for conventional analytical and QC workflows.
Mass Spectrometry Systems The Xevo series (TQ-S, TQ-XS, G2-XS QTof) covers triple-quadrupole quantitation and high-resolution accurate-mass applications. The Synapt XS HDMS adds ion mobility separation for structural characterization of complex biomolecules. The BioAccord LC-MS System is designed for routine biopharmaceutical analysis in non-specialist environments.
LC Columns Waters is one of the few manufacturers that produces both the silica/hybrid particle and the column itself, ensuring exceptional batch-to-batch reproducibility. Column families include:
- ACQUITY UPLC BEH / HSS / CSH — sub-2 µm columns for UPLC platforms
- XBridge BEH — wide pH range (1–14), suitable for method development and high-pH mobile phases
- XSelect CSH / HSS — broad selectivity screening for HPLC method development
- Atlantis — engineered for polar compound retention; available in T3, dC18, and HILIC chemistries
- CORTECS — solid-core particle columns (1.6 µm and 2.7 µm) for high efficiency at lower backpressure
- SunFire — general-purpose reversed-phase with high loading capacity for impurity analysis
- Symmetry / SymmetryShield — reliable, reproducible workhorse columns for legacy and QC methods
- Protein BEH SEC / Protein-Pak — size-exclusion columns for protein aggregation and size variant analysis
- Premier Series — MaxPeak High Performance Surfaces (HPS) technology minimizes metal-sensitive analyte interactions across ACQUITY, XBridge, XSelect, and Atlantis families
Sample Preparation The Oasis SPE product line (HLB, MCX, MAX, WAX, PRiME) covers broad-spectrum and selective solid-phase extraction for plasma, urine, water, and food matrices. Available as cartridges, 96-well plates, and µElution formats for high-throughput workflows.
Thermal Analysis (TA Instruments) DSC (Q-Series, Discovery Series), TGA, DMA, rheometers (DHR Series), and isothermal calorimeters (ITC) for characterization of polymers, biologics, excipients, and materials across academic, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications.
Software & Informatics Empower CDS, MassLynx, and NuGenesis form an integrated informatics stack covering data acquisition, processing, reporting, and long-term sample and results management for regulated and non-regulated labs.
Frequently Ordered Waters Part Numbers & Configurations
The table below lists high-demand Waters columns and consumables frequently sourced through Iright. Contact us for current availability, lead times, and volume pricing.
Part numbers and specifications are provided for reference. Please verify against your current Waters documentation or contact Iright to confirm exact configurations before ordering.
| Part Number | Product Name | Specification | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 186002350 | ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 Column | 1.7 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm | General reversed-phase; pharmaceutical small molecules |
| 186002352 | ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 Column | 1.7 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm | Higher-resolution RP separations on UPLC systems |
| 186003033 | ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 Column | 1.8 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm | Polar analyte retention; food safety and environmental testing |
| 176001886 | XBridge BEH C18 Column | 3.5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm | HPLC method development; high-pH mobile phase compatibility |
| 186003034 | XSelect CSH C18 Column | 3.5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm | Broad selectivity method screening; HPLC QC workflows |
| 186003539 | SunFire C18 Column | 3.5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm | Basic compound and impurity analysis at low pH |
| 186001339 | Atlantis T3 Column | 3 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm | Highly polar compound retention; aqueous-compatible RP |
| 186000337 | Symmetry C18 Column | 5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm | General-purpose HPLC; legacy method maintenance |
| 186003975 | ACQUITY UPLC Protein BEH SEC Column | 1.7 µm, 200 Å, 2.1 × 150 mm | Protein size variants and aggregation analysis; biopharmaceuticals |
| 60055-SVD | Oasis HLB SPE Cartridge | 30 mg, 1 mL | Broad-spectrum solid-phase extraction for biological and environmental matrices |
Why Source Waters Products Through Iright
Verified Supply Chain Iright sources Waters products through authorized distribution channels, ensuring product authenticity, intact warranty coverage, and full traceability — critical for GMP and regulated laboratory environments.
Global Procurement Expertise With sourcing experience across pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and industrial sectors, Iright handles single-SKU column orders and multi-instrument procurement projects with equal efficiency. We support clients across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Competitive Institutional Pricing Iright negotiates on volume and consolidates cross-brand orders to deliver cost efficiencies that standard list pricing does not offer. Whether you are ordering one column or equipping an entire analytical department, we provide transparent, competitive quotes.
Responsive Sourcing Support Not sure which column chemistry fits your method? Our sourcing team includes specialists familiar with Waters' product lines who can help narrow down configurations, confirm part number compatibility, and coordinate delivery timelines. Most quote requests are turned around within one business day.
FAQs
1. Does Iright supply both Waters chromatography products and TA Instruments equipment?
Yes. Iright covers the full Waters Corporation portfolio, including TA Instruments thermal analysis and rheology systems, VICAM food safety testing products, and Wyatt Technology light scattering instruments. Submit your part numbers or product requirements through our inquiry form, and our team will respond with availability and pricing.
2. What is the difference between Waters HPLC and UPLC columns, and can they be used interchangeably?
UPLC columns (typically 1.7 µm particles) are engineered for systems that operate above 6,000 psi — such as the Waters ACQUITY UPLC platform. Conventional HPLC columns (3.5–5 µm) run on systems up to approximately 6,000 psi. The two formats are not directly interchangeable at the hardware level, but Waters' BEH particle technology enables straightforward method transfer: for example, an XBridge BEH C18 HPLC method (3.5 µm, 4.6 × 150 mm) can be scaled to an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 method (1.7 µm, 2.1 × 50 mm) using established linear velocity and column volume calculations.
3. How do I choose between XBridge, XSelect, and ACQUITY BEH columns?
The three families serve different stages of method development. XBridge BEH is the recommended starting point for HPLC method development, offering wide pH stability (pH 1–14) and reliable performance across most small molecule applications. XSelect CSH/HSS adds a second particle technology platform, providing a broader range of selectivities for more complex method development challenges. ACQUITY UPLC BEH is the UPLC equivalent of XBridge, optimized for sub-2-minute high-resolution analyses on ACQUITY systems. If you share your analyte class, mobile phase pH, and instrument platform, Iright's team can recommend the most suitable series and dimensions.
4. Are Waters Premier columns significantly different from standard columns?
Yes, in contexts where metal-sensitive analytes are a concern. Premier columns incorporate Waters' MaxPeak High Performance Surfaces (HPS) technology, which uses a passivating surface treatment to minimize non-specific adsorption caused by metal interactions in the column hardware. This results in improved peak shape, sensitivity, and recovery for compounds such as phosphorylated peptides, nucleotides, and certain pharmaceuticals — without requiring system passivation steps. For routine small molecule separations where metal affinity is not a known issue, standard BEH and HSS columns remain cost-effective choices.
5. Can Iright source discontinued or legacy Waters part numbers?
For legacy SKUs — including older Symmetry, XTerra, Spherisorb, and Nova-Pak columns — availability varies based on Waters' current production status and distributor stock. Submit your part number through our inquiry form, and Iright will confirm current availability or, where appropriate, recommend a validated modern equivalent that matches the original method chemistry.
6. What lead times should I expect for Waters columns and instruments?
Standard analytical columns (ACQUITY BEH, XBridge, XSelect, Atlantis, Oasis SPE) are typically available within 5–10 business days. Instruments, custom system configurations, and TA Instruments equipment generally carry lead times of 4–8 weeks depending on the model and region. Iright provides confirmed lead time estimates at the time of quotation.