PlastiTrax® Reference Material
| Precise | Tablets | User-Friendly | Ready-to-use |
Our PlastiTrax® reference materials set new standards in method validation and quality assurance. Each tablet is individually produced and characterized, with the exact particle number determined and provided for every single tablet. The possibility of combining multiple polymer types within a single tablet saves valuable measurement time and enables more efficient analyses.
Particle size fractions and the wide range of available products allow precise adaptation to your individual needs. Whether for method validation or quality control, PlastiTrax® tablets enable precise and reproducible results while ensuring the highest reliability in microplastic analysis.
Polymers and sizes
Priority Polymers:
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Polystyrene (PS)
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Polyethylene (PE)
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
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Polycarbonate (PC)
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Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
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Polypropylene (PP)
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Polyurethane (PU)
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Polyamide (PA)
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Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
Deuterated Polymers
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Deuterated PE (dPE)
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Deuterated PS (dPS)
Real Plastix (derived from daily products)
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PS (expanded polystyrene packaging materials)
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PET(PET bottles)
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PVC (electronic housing)
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PP: yoghurt cup
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PE: PE films and packaging lids
Shape:
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Fragments (kryomilled)
Size fractions:
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20-25 µm
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25 - 50 µm
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30-70 µm*
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50 - 100 µm
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120-200 µm*
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100 - 200 µm
(The size of the fragments is reported as the Minimum Feret Diameter.)
* only available for dPE and dPS
Quantity
Each tablet contains 50 to 150 microplastic fragments. The exact number of particles is individually determined for each tablet using µFTIR imaging. This particle count is documented on the label of every tablet and is specified individually for each polymer type.
Why PlastiTrax Reference Materials?
✅ High Precision
Each tablet is individually measured and the particles are precisely quantified.
✅ No Dilution of Standard Solutions
By avoiding dilution steps, significant time savings can be achieved.
✅ Reduced Measurement Time
Multiple polymer types can be combined within a single tablet.
✅ Water Solubility
The tablets dissolve quickly in any aqueous solution.
✅ Continuous Quality Control
Due to the minimal effort required, continuous quality control can easily be implemented.
✅ Reduced Contamination Risk
KBr can be heated up to 700 °C, allowing potential contaminants to be removed by pyrolysis.
✅ Versatile Applications
Applicable independently of the analytical method used (Raman / FTIR / QCL / etc.).
How To?
Step 1: Remove the tablet
To ensure minimal contamination, each PlastiTrax® tablet is double-sealed in aluminum foil. Begin by carefully cutting the outer packaging along the dotted lines using clean scissors or a scalpel. Using clean tweezers, remove the inner foil pouch from the outer packaging, avoiding direct contact with your hands. In the next step, unfold the inner foil carefully with the tweezers and remove the tablet for further processing. Information about the count of particles per polymer type is provided on the package label and can be used directly for documentation and calculation purposes.
Step 2: Information
In the second step, the tablet can be dissolved in any aqueous matrix, depending on the intended application. To avoid contamination and biased recovery rates, only filtered solvents or water (pore size 0.22 µm) should be used, and all containers must be thoroughly rinsed and clean. Ideally, all handling should take place in a laminar flow bench or cleanroom environment. Once added to the liquid, the tablet dissolves within one minute under gentle swirling, thereby releasing the embedded particles into the sample
Step 3: Spiking
In the third step, sample preparation should be carried out according to the specific matrix being analyzed. In cases involving highly complex or heavily contaminated matrices, we recommend using the QC Kit with deuterated polymers to avoid biased recovery rates and to ensure more accurate quality control. Proceed with the preparation steps as required by your protocol, up to the point of filtration and detection using your chosen analytical detection method.
Step 4: Analysis
In the fourth step, the acquired data are analyzed. The tablets can also be used to expand spectral databases, particularly by including aged polymer spectra. The use of deuterated polymers enables fully automated data evaluation, independent of optical imaging, once their spectra have been added to the spectral library. The particle count required for recovery calculations can be found on the tablet’s package label.
PlastiTrax® Reference Material Kits
Our PlastiTrax® Kits combine multiple carefully selected tablets designed for specific applications in microplastic analysis. They support laboratories in method testing, standards-compliant validation, and the implementation of structured QA/QC workflows, providing a reproducible basis for reliable analytical results.
Ideal for testing and becoming familiar with our PlastiTrax® products. It enables an initial evaluation of handling, recovery, and analytical performance within your own workflow.
Ideal for establishing microplastic analysis in the laboratory. It provides a structured foundation for initial method testing, validation steps, and the implementation of a QA/QC system.
Specifically developed for standards-compliant recovery determination according to ISO 16094-2:2025. It supports laboratories in standardized method validation for microplastic analysis.
Contains deuterated polymers (dPE and dPS) in defined size fractions for the implementation of a structured and automated QA/QC workflow. Enables precise recovery determination and reduces bias in complex matrices.