HPLC columns are at the heart of chromatographic method development. The choice of stationary phase can have a fundamental impact on selectivity, retention, resolution, and ultimately the success of a method.
With thousands of columns available from manufacturers around the world, keeping product information organized and accessible can be a significant challenge for chromatographers. This is one of the reasons why ChromSword sees considerable value in building closer relationships with column producers.
At ISC 2026, discussions with manufacturers ranged from updating existing product information to establishing contacts with the appropriate product and management teams. Several companies expressed interest in providing or updating their product data, while others agreed to forward the initiative to the relevant people within their organizations.
The conversations were also an opportunity to better understand the needs and priorities of column manufacturers themselves and to discuss how a centralized chromatography database could provide value to both manufacturers and chromatographers.
One of the highlights of ISC 2026 was simply having the opportunity to speak directly with so many companies.
Among the organizations contacted during the conference were:
The discussions varied from company to company. Some organizations were interested in updating their existing information, while others provided direct contacts for continuing the conversation after the conference.
For ChromSword, the value of ISC 2026 goes beyond the conference itself.
The contacts made in Prague create opportunities for continued cooperation with column manufacturers and suppliers. The next step is to follow up with the companies we met, identify the appropriate product contacts, and work together to ensure that product information is accurate, useful, and up to date.
This is particularly important for HPLC-Mart, where the goal is to make it easier for chromatographers to discover and compare HPLC columns and obtain relevant product information when planning their methods.
Closer cooperation with manufacturers can benefit everyone involved. Column producers gain another channel through which chromatographers can discover their products, while users gain access to a broader and more reliable source of chromatography information.
ISC 2026 demonstrated once again how valuable direct interaction is within the chromatography industry. Conferences provide an environment where ideas that might otherwise take months to develop through emails and online meetings can begin with a short conversation at a booth.
For ChromSword, meeting 21 column producers was one of the most valuable outcomes of the event. The conversations started in Prague are now the foundation for further discussions, data updates, and potential partnerships.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to speak with the ChromSword team during ISC 2026. It was a pleasure to meet you, learn more about your products, and discuss how we can work together to make chromatography information more accessible to the HPLC community.
We look forward to continuing these conversations after ISC 2026 and turning the connections made in Prague into lasting collaborations.
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