Tecniplast Individually Ventilated Cages (IVCs)
Tecniplast IVC systems are designed to provide the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity, and research efficiency. With advanced airflow technology, ergonomic design, multiple air handling unit options, and flexible configurations, our IVCs ensure a controlled and contamination-free environment for laboratory rodents. Engineered for performance, these cages enhance research outcomes while streamlining facility operations.
Key Features & Benefits:
- Superior Biosecurity – HEPA-filtered airflow reduces contamination risks and enhances animal health.
- Optimized Airflow – Precise ventilation ensures consistent air exchange, minimizing ammonia buildup.
- Ergonomic & User-Friendly – Lightweight, easy-to-handle cages improve workflow efficiency.
- Scalable & Flexible – Available in multiple configurations to accommodate varying research needs.
- Enhanced Animal Welfare – Provides a stable, stress-free environment for improved study results.
Tecniplast IVCs set the industry benchmark for innovation and reliability, ensuring optimal conditions for your research.
Emerald Line Cages
The Tecniplast Emerald line represents the next generation of individually ventilated caging (IVC) for mice, rats, and other small animals - combining cutting-edge innovation with superior ergonomics and animal welfare. The patented Emerald design introduces four industry-first features: a latchless cage body for faster handling, integrated enrichment options to support natural behaviors, a fully gasketed and sealed design for enhanced containment, and a Smart Top™ that hinges directly to the base - enabling true one-handed cage changes and reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries. With optimized visibility through thoughtful placement of the water bottle and flippable card holder, daily welfare checks are faster and more accurate. The Emerald line supports ultra–high-density configurations (12 rows high) and is compatible with Tecniplast’s Smart Cage technology (in 10 and 11 row configurations), offering a future-ready platform for modern animal facilities.
- Features
- Configuration Table
- Brochures
Emerald Line Features and Benefits
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Vision+: The Emerald cages use a latch-free, fully transparent top, allowing 100% clear visibility for daily health checks. This full visibility helps operators monitor animals more easily, reducing disturbance and improving welfare.
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SmarTop Lid: The Emerald SmarTop lets you position the lid vertically on the base during cage changes, streamlining the procedure. This motion is reproducible and standardized, reducing operator fatigue and improving aseptic technique by minimizing contact with surfaces.
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“In-Richment”: The cage base includes a raised section built directly into the floor, which serves as a resting/nesting and exploration area. This design improves animal welfare by encouraging positive behaviors like nesting or social interaction, without requiring separate enrichment inserts.
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Patented Sealing System: Emerald cages feature a soft radial silicone gasket around the base rim that seals when the top is placed on - no latches needed.
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High-Density Rack Options: The Emerald line offers three different IVC rack styles (HD, Comfort, and Ergo) so you can choose between maximum capacity, ergonomic access, or a balance of both. See the height guide below for more information!
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Flexible Rack Sizing & Capacity: Emerald high-density racks are available in multiple configurations, offering different cage capacities and the option to choose between single- or double-sided designs. This flexibility supports different facility workflows (e.g., breeding, high-volume housing) while maintaining high cage density.
| IVC Product Line | Cage PN | Cage Dimensions (LWH in inches) | Rack PN | Rack Configuration (Rows x Columns x Sides) | Cage Quantity | DVC Compatible | Rack Dimensions and Loaded Weight (LWH in Inches) |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM060X | 10x6x1 | 60 | Yes | 53.15x19.69x 76.03; 313.14 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM066X | 11x6x1 | 66 | Yes | 53.15x19.69x 81.81; 368.88 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM070X | 10x7x1 | 70 | Yes | 61.81x19.69x 76.03; 359.09 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM072X | 12x6x1 | 72 | No | 53.15x19.69x 83.78; 389.39 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM077X | 11x7x1 | 77 | Yes | 61.81x19.69x 81.81; 420.44 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM080X | 10x8x1 | 80 | Yes | 70.47x19.69x 76.03; 407.24 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM084X | 12x7x1 | 84 | No | 61.81x19.69x 83.78; 445.84 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM088X | 11X8X1 | 88 | Yes | 70.47x19.69x 81.81; 420.44 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM096X | 12x8x1 | 96 | No | 70.47x19.69x 83.78; 506.69 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM120X | 10x6x2 | 120 | Yes | 53.15x34.96x 76.77; 597.63 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM132X | 11x6x2 | 132 | Yes | 53.15x34.96x 82.36; 706.90 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM140X | 10x7x2 | 140 | Yes | 61.81x34.96x 76.66; 685.11 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM144X | 12x6x2 | 144 | No | 53.15x34.96x 84.33; 747.91 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM154X | 11x7x2 | 154 | Yes | 61.81x34.96x 82.36; 810.02 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM160X | 10x8x2 | 160 | Yes | 70.47x34.96x 76.66; 777 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM168X | 12x7x2 | 168 | No | 61.81x34.96x 84.33; 858.6 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM176X | 11x8x2 | 176 | Yes | 70.47x34.96x 82.36; 810.02 lbs |
| Emerald | EM500 | 8.13x15.12x6.06 | EMM192X | 12x8x2 | 192 | No | 70.47x34.96x 84.33; 975.91 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1021X | 7x3x1 | 21 | No | 46.57x19.69x 76.53; 304.55 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1024X | 8x3x1 | 24 | No | 46.57x19.69x 81.53; 332.99 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1028X | 7x4x1 | 28 | No | 61.5x19.69x 76.53; 399.04 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1032X | 8x4x1 | 32 | No | 61.5x19.69x 81.53; 436.89 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1035X | 7x5x1 | 35 | No | 76.73x19.69x 76.53; 486.34 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1040X | 8x5x1 | 40 | No | 76.73x19.69x 81.53; 533.61 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1042X | 7x3x2 | 42 | No | 46.57x34.96x 76.53; 546.35 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1048X | 8x3x2 | 48 | No | 46.57x34.96x 81.53; 603.12 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1056X | 7x4x2 | 56 | No | 61.5x34.96x 76.53; 705.68 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1064X | 8x4x2 | 64 | No | 61.5x34.96x 81.53; 780.66 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1070X | 7x5x2 | 70 | No | 76.73x34.96x 76.53; 866.39 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1050 | 16.27x14.52x 8.67 | ER1080X | 8x5x2 | 80 | No | 76.73x34.96x 81.53; 959.56 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1810X | 5x2x1 | 10 | No | 50.55x19.69x 76.14; 273.24 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1812X | 6x2x1 | 12 | No | 50.55x19.69x 79.33; 302.19 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1815X | 5x3x1 | 15 | No | 75.16x19.69x 76.14; 384.49 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1818X | 6x3x1 | 18 | No | 75.16x19.69x 79.33; 427.43 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1820X | 5x2x2 | 20 | No | 50.55x35.04x 76.38; 461.71 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1824X | 6x2x2 | 24 | No | 50.55x35.04x 79.84; 518.99 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1830X | 5x3x2 | 30 | No | 75.16x35.04x 76.38; 657.24 lbs |
| Emerald | ER1800 | 16.49x24.06x 11.03 | ER1836X | 6x3x2 | 36 | No | 75.16x35.04x 79.84; 741.99 lbs |
IVC Housing Brochure
EM500 Product Profile
ER1050 Product Profile
ER1800 Product Profile
Three Rack Density Options
The Emerald IVC line offers three rack configurations to suit different facility needs. The Ergo Rack features 10 rows, placing cages at a more comfortable height for inspection and handling, which enhances operator ergonomics. The Comfort Rack has 11 rows, providing a balance between capacity and ergonomics by combining good density with easier access. Finally, The HD Rack supports 12 rows (+20% cage density), maximizing space by stacking up to twelve cage levels in roughly a two-meter height.
Emerald IVC Video
Zephyr Air Handling Unit
The ZEPHYR is a next-generation ventilation solution purpose-built for IVC environments, combining advanced performance, connectivity, and sustainability in one sleek package. Engineered to support up to 50% more Emerald cages per unit, it streamlines facility footprint while maintaining precise intra-cage control of air quality. ZEPHYR features an intuitive 10″ touchscreen and IoT compatibility for wired or wireless control, plus a WiseLight LED bar that instantly signals operational status. Optimized for scalability, ergonomics, and animal welfare, ZEPHYR is a high-efficiency AHU solution for modern rodent housing systems.
- Features
- Brochure
Zephyr Features and Benefits
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Automated Animal Protection: Zephyr includes a built-in configuration wizard, a 10″ touchscreen, and remote control via IoT-enabled devices, making it easy to monitor and adjust airflow for optimal animal welfare.
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WiseLight LED Status Bar: A visible LED light bar provides real-time feedback on system status, alerting operators quickly when a specific action is needed.
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Scalability & Customization: The unit supports up to six Emerald HD racks with HEPA-filtered air and offers customization options like humidity control, configurable alarm thresholds, themes, SOP video integration, and more.
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Automated Health Screening: Zephyr integrates an Interceptor frame and scheduler for automated, periodic health checks, streamlining the detection of environmental or microbial issues.
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Sustainability & Efficiency: Constructed from over 80% recyclable materials, Zephyr reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 30% compared to previous models. It also supports 50% more Emerald cages per unit, lowering the number of AHUs needed.
Zephyr Brochure
Zephyr Product Profile
Zephyr Product Launch Video
DVC Compatibility
Tecniplast’s Mouse IVC Caging is fully compatible with the Digital Ventilated Cage (DVC®) system, the most advanced monitoring technology for laboratory animal facilities. DVC® uses sensors integrated beneath each cage to continuously collect data on animal activity, environmental conditions, and equipment performance without disrupting daily operations or animal welfare. This smart connectivity allows researchers and facility managers to access real-time insights remotely, improving study consistency, animal health, and colony management. By integrating DVC® with Tecniplast’s reliable IVC systems, facilities gain a data-driven advantage—enhancing efficiency, traceability, and the overall quality of research outcomes.
FAQs
How many cages can be housed on an Emerald rack?
Depending on the configuration, racks can house between 60 to 192 cages.
What is the purpose of the built-in raised platform in the cage base?
The raised platform fosters natural behaviors such as resting, nesting, and exploring which enhances animal welfare without the need for additional inserts. Additionally, the "in-richment" doubles as an improved grip on the cage for the handler, improving the welfare of both the animal and the caretaker.
Are the Emerald IVC cages DVC® compatible?
Yes, many configurations of the Emerald IVC cages are compatible with the DVC® (Digital Ventilated Cage) system for enhanced monitoring and data collection. See the configuration table above for more information.
How many Emerald racks can the Zephyr Air Handling Unit provide air supply to?
The Zephyr Air Handling Unit can support HEPA-filtered air supply for up to six Emerald HD racks.
What species are suitable for housing in Emerald IVC cages?
Emerald IVC cages are primarily designed for housing rodents, such as mice and rats, with specific configurations available for different species and research needs.
How long do Tecniplast cages last, and how often should they be changed out?
Tecniplast cages are built for long-term durability, made from high-quality, autoclavable materials designed to withstand repeated washing and sterilization cycles. With proper handling and maintenance, cages can last several years before needing replacement. Cage changeouts for animals, however, should follow your facility’s standard operating procedures - typically every 7 to 14 days, depending on species, stocking density, and research requirements. Regular inspection for wear, discoloration, or cracking helps ensure optimal performance and animal welfare.
How should Tecniplast IVC cages be washed and autoclaved?
Tecniplast IVC cages can be safely washed in automated cage washers using standard detergents and rinse cycles. After washing, all cage components are fully autoclavable for effective sterilization. Always follow your facility’s validated wash and autoclave parameters to maintain cage integrity and ensure proper biosecurity.
What AHU configurations are available for Tecniplast IVC racks?
Tecniplast IVC racks can be equipped with either a single or dual blower configuration, depending on facility layout and airflow requirements. Blowers can be mounted directly on the rack or positioned remotely to reduce noise and heat in the animal room. Options include a mobile trolley, wall-mounted, or ceiling-mounted unit, as well as compatibility with house supply air.
How should Tecniplast IVC AHUs be maintained?
Tecniplast's IVC air handling units require minimal maintenance but should be inspected regularly to ensure optimal performance. Filters should be checked and replaced according to the recommended schedule, and airflow sensors or alarms verified during routine servicing. Keeping the blower units clean and free of dust buildup helps maintain consistent ventilation and prolongs equipment life.
How energy-efficient are Tecniplast IVC systems?
Tecniplast IVC systems use low-energy blowers and intelligent airflow controls to minimize power consumption while maintaining optimal air exchange rates, reducing both operating costs and environmental impact.
