Biobased content according to EN 16785-1

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements. The rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential, considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

Determination of the total organic fluorine (TOF) content in combustible materials using combustion ion chromatography (CIC). By default, TOF is analyzed as total fluorine (TF). If required, total inorganic fluorine (TIF) can be measured as well, and TOF calculated as the difference between TF and TIF. TOF analysis gives information about the total amount of organic fluorinated compounds. It can also be used to evaluate the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the material, even though individual PFAS compounds can't be analyzed with this method. The analysis is suitable for many different materials. Please describe the sample in detail when requesting an offer to help us prepare a quote quickly.

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1,000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection with a thermal conductivity detector. The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis. The displayed price includes the full CHNOS package with two parallel measurements and applies to conventional organic samples. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The addition of ash, drying, and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material to 300 mg. The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification. Analysis can be split into the following packages: CHN, O, and S.

Determination of biobased carbon content by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) or liquid scintillation counting (LSC) according to EN 16640, a horizontal European standard applicable to any product containing carbon — including paints, adhesives, solvents, detergents, composites, and raw materials. Results are reported as biobased carbon content (%) relative to total carbon (TC) of the sample. EN 16640 is the default standard for substantiating biobased carbon content claims for non-plastic products intended for the EU market. It was developed by CEN/TC 411 as part of a suite of horizontal standards for biobased products, and is technically almost identical to ISO 16620-2, although the latter applies specifically to plastic products and additives. Any other differences between the two reflect editorial conventions of the respective standardization bodies rather than methodological differences.  Both standards are also technically similar to ASTM D6866, which follows the same radiocarbon principle. The displayed price applies to non-volatile samples. If your sample is volatile, please discuss the suitability of your sample type with our experts. Samples containing artificially enriched carbon isotopes (¹²C, ¹³C, or ¹⁴C) cannot be analyzed, as these will damage the instrument.

Stable isotope analysis of the elements in solid samples with isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Measurable isotopes given below: Isotope ratio Description δ13C Ratio of 13C to 12C δ2H (δD) Ratio of 2H to 1H (deuterium to protium) δ15N Ratio of 15N to 14N δ18O Ratio of 18O to 16O δ34S Ratio of 34S to 32S The results are reported as per mille (‰) deviations of the ratio of the heavy and light isotopes for the given element in comparison to a standard reference material. We have more than 30 IAEA, USGS, and in-house isotopic standards available to accommodate a wide range of expected ratios. Samples should be non-hazardous, dry, thermally decomposable and homogenous. The minimum sample count is 50 per batch. The price and turnaround time displayed apply to conventional sample matrices. The analysis is suitable for a wide range of materials, including, but not limited to, soils, plants, and insect tissue. All of our stable isotope analyses are conducted by ISO 17025-accredited facilities.

Qualitative identification of chemical groups in solid samples by Attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results will be delivered as an FTIR spectrum. In addition, a comparison to an FTIR library will be provided. The method is not quantitative, but it can be used to identify the main chemical components of the sample.

Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) analysis to determine the identity of an unknown polymer sample. During the measurement, the sample is instantaneously heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum. This causes the sample to decompose into smaller molecular fragments, which are then analyzed with GC-MS. Different types of polymers can be identified by their unique decomposition products. This includes, but is not limited to: PE, PP, PS, ABS, PMMA, PET, PC, PVC, polyamides, natural & synthetic rubbers, and more. The price includes the basic preparation and qualitative analysis of the sample. More extensive sample preparation and quantitative analyses are subject to additional costs.

This analysis provides quantitative information about the crystalline and amorphous phases within your sample using high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). A standard analysis includes: Quantification of crystalline phases as weight percentages, Quantification of the total amorphous content, High-resolution powder diffraction data and the resulting diffractogram, A comprehensive test report detailing the findings. For more advanced needs, we also offer total scattering/pair distribution function (PDF) analysis to reveal the local atomic structure in amorphous or nano-structured materials. Do not hesitate to ask for a quote.

Determination of biobased carbon content in plastics and plastic additives by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) according to ISO 16620-2. The method applies to monomers, polymers, polymer resins, plasticizers, and additives containing any combination of biobased and fossil-based carbon. Results are reported as biobased carbon content (%) relative to total carbon (TC), derived from the measured percent modern carbon (pMC) value. The data can be used to support biobased carbon content declarations under ISO 16620-5. ISO 16620-2 is almost identical to the European EN 16640 standard and technically similar to ASTM D6866. All three are based on the radiocarbon (¹⁴C) method, which allows unambiguous quantification of biobased carbon content without prior knowledge of the production process. However, ASTM D6866 is broader in scope, as it applies to a wide range of solid, liquid, and gaseous matrices, while ISO 16620-2 is specific to plastics. The displayed price applies to non-volatile samples. If your sample is volatile, please discuss the testing options with our experts. Please also note that we cannot accept samples that contain artificial carbon-12, carbon-13, or carbon-14 isotopes because they will damage the equipment.

This ash content test is conducted according to ASTM D482 or EN ISO 6245, and is typically used for pyrolysis oil, fuels, crude oils, lubricating oils, waxes, and related petroleum matrices where ash-forming material is considered an undesirable impurity. In the test, the sample is ignited under controlled laboratory conditions at 775 °C, and the remaining ash residue is determined gravimetrically. Results are reported as numerical values in w%, with a typical quantification limit of 0.001 w%.  Both ASTM D482 and EN ISO 6245 are generally applicable in the approximate ash range of 0.001 to 0.180 w% for petroleum products that do not contain intentional ash-forming additives; products with such additives may require a different method. Please note that the displayed price applies to small sample sets, while larger batches and recurring orders are eligible for volume-based discounts.