Behind the Scenes: How Our Patented Slot Rail Is Made
From Raw Material to High-Tech Profile
What may appear simple at first glance is, in fact, the result of high-precision engineering. Our patented Better Basics Slot Rail — the core of many of our laboratory organisation solutions and part of SmartSnap, our patented click mechanism — is produced through a complex manufacturing process where precision, sustainability, and material quality go hand in hand.
It all begins with bauxite, from which pure aluminium is obtained via the Bayer process. In the next step, the aluminium is cast into billets — the base material for what will later become a tailor-made aluminium profile used in your laboratory.
But the true secret lies in the extrusion process: a billet, heated to around 500 °C, is pressed under high pressure through a precisely shaped die. This creates the exact profile of our slot rail — a process of millimetre-level precision and dimensional accuracy. Every cross-section, every groove, every connection must fit perfectly to ensure reliable performance in the laboratory.
🎥 Those who have seen the process understand why we speak of technical finesse:
👉 YouTube-link: Extrusion Process Explained
👉 YouTube-link: Partner Company Hydro – Aluminium Production in Saxony
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Quality from Saxony – in Partnership with Hydro
Our slot rails are manufactured by Hydro in Saxony — one of the world’s leading aluminium producers headquartered in Norway. Hydro stands for state-of-the-art facilities, sustainable energy sources, and outstanding materials expertise. The result is profiles of the highest quality, precisely tailored to our requirements — stable, corrosion-resistant, and durable.
Sustainability as a Guiding Principle
Aluminium is almost infinitely recyclable — without any loss of quality.
Even today, many of our profiles are made from recycled material. This saves up to 95 % energy compared with primary production and conserves valuable resources.
At Better Basics Laborbedarf, we believe that innovation and responsibility belong together — even when it comes to materials used daily in laboratories, often without a second thought.
Sustainability and Quality by Design
At Better Basics Laborbedarf, sustainability and quality go hand in hand. We deliberately select our suppliers based on the highest environmental, energy, and quality standards. Our partner, Hydro Extrusion Deutschland GmbH, holds a wide range of internationally recognised certifications confirming these commitments. The Rackwitz site is certified according to ISO 50001:2018 for energy management, ISO 45001:2018 for occupational health and safety, and EN 15088:2005 for structural aluminium applications. In addition, the QUALANOD certification guarantees premium anodised finishes for architectural use.
A key part of our sustainability approach is material selection. The Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for Hydro aluminium profiles demonstrate a significantly reduced carbon footprint — with low-carbon billets achieving less than 4.5 kg CO₂e per kg of aluminium.
These certifications confirm that Hydro maintains strict environmental and ethical standards across the entire value chain — from energy efficiency and safety management to recycling and lifecycle transparency. For Better Basics, this verifiable quality is the foundation for developing durable, safe, and sustainable laboratory products that meet the highest professional standards.
A Subtle Detail with a Major Impact
Our slot rail is more than just a connecting element — it forms the basis for order, flexibility, and safety in modern laboratory workspaces.
What seems simple is filled with technology, experience, and passion — and that’s exactly what we want to share with you.
Further Information
You can download our product catalog as a PDF file from the downloads section of our website.
If you are interested in our products, please use the inquiry form in the downloads section.