CIL – The World’s Leading Producer of Stable Isotopes

Did you know CIL separates and produces its own labeled compounds with carbon-13 (¹³C), oxygen-18 (¹⁸O), and deuterium (D) isotopes? In 1990, CIL constructed the world’s largest ¹³C isotope-separation plant, Cambridge Isotope Separations, LLC (CIS) in Xenia, OH, USA. In 2000, CIL responded to the worldwide shortage of ¹⁸O water by constructing, at that time, the world’s largest ¹⁸O isotope-separation facility at CIS, which remains one of the largest ¹⁸O isotope-separation facilities to date. CIS also houses the only large-capacity nongovernmental D₂O (deuterium oxide) enrichment columns. Since the initial construction, CIS has grown to 48 acres and there have been four past expansions of ¹³C production. With ever-growing needs for isotopically labeled compounds, CIL recently invested in a massive new expansion at CIS which is expected to be completed in 2024 and will significantly increase ¹³C production by building a separate cryogenic distillation facility for carbon monoxide.

CIL utilizes these ¹³C, ¹⁸O, and D isotopes as the building blocks in the production of the vast offering of our stable isotope-labeled compounds. By being the producer of the core isotope raw materials, CIL maintains stability of sourcing, quality control throughout the full production cycle, and the ability to maintain the inventory and supply of our product offerings. Today, CIL offers more than 15,000 products across the environmental and research product lines. 

CIL’s products are utilized in commercial testing laboratories, medical, government, and academic research centers and health care facilities worldwide. CIL maintains a distribution network across 36 countries, allowing researchers in most countries access to ordering our standards. Our full portfolio of stable isotope-labeled and unlabeled products is offered here on isotope.com where you can request a quote or place an order.