This article is part of an ongoing series exploring the history and technological evolution of Organomation, a pioneer in laboratory sample preparation equipment since 1959. Our Organomation Origins series delves into the company’s milestones, from its basement beginnings to its current status as a global leader in analytical chemistry tools.
In case you missed it, read part one here!
The opening piece chronicled the company’s inception in 1959, when Canadian chemist Dr. Neal McNiven, while working at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology in Massachusetts (renowned for pioneering the birth control pill), collaborated with Swiss colleague André Meyer to develop the Meyer N-EVAP—the first commercial nitrogen blowdown evaporator.
Initially a side project operated from the McNiven family’s rented Shrewsbury, MA home, Organomation began as a part-time venture with Dr. McNiven’s wife, Edith, managing administrative tasks. The company’s name—a blend of organic chemistry and automation—reflects its foundational mission. After losing grant funding in 1969, Dr. McNiven transitioned full-time to Organomation, relocating operations to rented facilities in Worcester and later Northborough, MA. Remarkably, the original N-EVAP design remains a cornerstone product today, embodying McNiven’s commitment to simplicity and durability.
Building on the success of the original N-EVAP, Organomation introduced the MULTIVAP in the late 1970s. The N-EVAP was engineered with a versatile sample holder that accommodated a variety of test tube sizes. This meant that the researcher was not locked into a single container format—whether they were working with narrow vials or larger tubes, the system could be adjusted to securely hold them during the evaporation process.
Based on feedback from the original N-EVAP design, Dr. McNiven identified a need for an evaporator which could successfully remove organic solvent from a number of identical samples which led to the creation of the MULTIVAP parallel concentrator. This creation of a batch evaporator was an early shift toward providing analytical and environmental laboratories with scalable solutions for their complex workflows.
In the 1980s, Organomation developed a rotary style unit designed to streamline liquid-liquid extraction processes. The ROT-X-TRACT became indispensable for environmental labs implementing EPA Method 8270 (semi volatile organic compounds) and EPA 8081 and 8082 (organochlorine pesticides and PCBs), which were first published during this decade and required precise reproducibility.
The initial S-EVAP flask evaporator was introduced during the 80s. This solvent evaporation system optimized sample preparation for larger samples greater than 50 mL. Its compatibility with volatile solvents made it ideal for emerging EPA protocols focused on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These innovations in extraction and organic solvent removal positioned Organomation as a critical partner in environmental compliance during the 1980s Superfund era, supporting hazardous waste site remediation.
In the early 1980s, Organomation relocated to its purpose-built facility in Berlin, Massachusetts. The new building which remains the company’s sole location to this day, replaced overcrowded rented spaces and provided the capacity for the McNiven’s to manage the growth in product demand. Despite high mortgage rates during this inflationary period, the investment underscored long-term confidence. The “blue building” became synonymous with Organomation’s identity, hosting all production and R&D activities while supporting the company’s transition into international markets.
The original N-EVAP saw explosive growth in the 1980s due to being specifically cited in two popular EPA methods: EPA 625 (liquid-liquid extraction for semi volatile organics) and EPA 525 (VOCs in drinking water) formally recognized nitrogen blowdown evaporation as a gold standard. The N-EVAP’s simplicity and reliability made it the preferred tool for the EPA and labs adhering to these protocols.
The 1980s Superfund program and Clean Water Act amendments drove demand for robust sample prep tools. Laboratories conducting compliance testing for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and VOCs relied on the N-EVAP’s consistent performance.
This legislation fundamentally reshaped environmental testing laboratories in the U.S., driving unprecedented demand for standardized analytical methods and compliance infrastructure. Established under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980, the Superfund program mandated rigorous cleanup of hazardous waste sites, requiring labs to adopt the EPA-approved protocols previously mentioned.
Laboratories participating in the Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) faced strict quality assurance requirements, including proficiency testing and data validation, to ensure court-admissible results for litigation. This surge in demand led to the rise of specialized labs equipped with advanced instrumentation like GC-MS and ICP-MS, capable of detecting contaminants at parts-per-trillion levels. By the late 1980s, over 1,500 Superfund sites relied on these labs, transforming environmental testing into a $1 billion industry.
Concurrently, amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA) intensified regulatory pressure on water quality testing. Standardization pushed labs toward high-throughput workflows, with wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities requiring thousands of annual analyses. The CWA’s focus on toxicity testing for aquatic life further spurred innovation in bioassay techniques, cementing labs as critical players in environmental protection.
The 70s and 80s solidified Organomation’s reputation for marrying practical engineering with regulatory compliance. Strategic product launches, a purpose-built headquarters, and adoption through EPA methodologies transformed the company from a regional manufacturer into a globally recognized name in sample preparation. The enduring success of the N-EVAP serves as a testament to Neal McNiven’s foundational vision of quality through simplicity.
Browse Organomation's current nitrogen blowdown evaporator offerings and try our sample evaporator product finder to know which one is best for your application.