Labs and Technologies - Factorio-Access/FactorioAccess GitHub Wiki
Labs and Technologies
Technologies are unlocked by consuming science packs in labs. They are arranged in a tree where each technology unlocks new recipes or bonuses and may open up further technologies. Later technologies require more time and more types of science packs to complete.
Your progress through the tech tree broadly reflects your progress through a game. The early game covers the pre-automation phase through the automation and logistics science phases. The mid game spans the later logistics and chemical science phases, branching significantly once oil processing is introduced. The late game begins when production and utility science are both underway, and continues after launching your first rocket if you choose to keep building.
Lab
A lab is a 3×3 domed building that consumes science packs to conduct research. It requires electricity and automatically draws the relevant pack types once a technology is selected. Multiple labs can run in parallel to speed up research, as long as they are supplied.
Labs take only two of each science pack at a time when supplied by inserters. A practical way to chain labs is to place an inserter between each pair, so the first lab feeds the second from its own supply. This tree arrangement means only the root lab needs to draw from a belt or chest, while all others pass packs along the chain.
Science packs
Science packs are crafted research consumables, each looking like an Erlenmeyer flask with a coloured liquid. Players commonly refer to them by colour.
Automation (red) — available from the start, requiring only copper plates and iron gear wheels. Unlocks assembling machines, which are central to automated production.
Logistics (green) — unlocked with red science, requiring transport belts and inserters as ingredients. Unlocks fluid handling, trains, solar power, basic modules, and more.
Chemical (blue) — requires steel and basic oil processing, making it the first science pack to demand new resources and infrastructure. Unlocks robotics, lasers, nuclear power, and upgraded machines.
Production (purple) — unlocked via chemical science, expensive in circuits and steel. Unlocks advanced machine variants, uranium processing, and beacons.
Utility (yellow) — also unlocked via chemical science, the most complex pack to craft, requiring advanced oil processing. Unlocks advanced robotics and the rocket silo.
Military (black) — unlocked early via automation and logistics science. Covers advanced weapons, tanks, combat robots, and turrets. Optional for peaceful-mode players.
Space (white) — unlocked after launching the first rocket, generated by launching satellites. Used only for infinitely repeatable upgrade research rather than unlocking new machines.
Players with the Space Age DLC will encounter additional science packs tied to other planets, which are beyond the scope of this page.
Technologies menu
Factorio Access provides a dedicated technologies menu for browsing and queuing research. Controls are documented in the UI docs.
See also:
External links: