Customized Microplastic Analysis
| Detection | Identification | Quantification |
There is no universal method that can address all questions related to microplastics. Therefore, we develop tailored analytical workflows for each client and their specific requirements. Our analyses place particular emphasis on minimizing contamination and ensuring accurate particle recovery to deliver reliable and reproducible results.
Microplastic Analysis
What information will you receive?
Qualitative identity of microplastics
Our analyses identify the polymer type of each detected microplastic particle using infrared spectroscopy. This enables reliable differentiation between various plastics and provides detailed insights into the material composition of the sample.
Quantitative determination of microplastics
Our analyses enable the precise quantification of microplastic particles within a sample. This includes determining the number of particles and their distribution across different polymer types and size classes.
Statistical particle size distribution of plastic particles
Our analyses provide a detailed statistical evaluation of the particle size distribution within the sample. This allows the identification of dominant size fractions and supports a better understanding of the origin and behavior of microplastic particles.
Contamination Control
| Prevention | Avoidance | Reporting |
In microplastic analysis, minimizing contamination is essential to ensure reliable results. All equipment used in our laboratory is made of glass or PTFE and is cleaned exclusively with filtered solvents. In addition, all chemicals are pre-filtered to remove potential plastic contaminants before use.
Sample preparation and analyses are performed under a laminar flow bench to reduce contamination from airborne particles. As part of our quality assurance procedures, we perform mandatory blank measurements (negative controls) to monitor background contamination and ensure that it is kept as low as possible while maintaining the highest analytical standards.
Recovery and Quality Assurance
| Recovery | Quality Control | QC | QA |
Recovery is a critical aspect of microplastic analysis, as unintentional losses of microplastic particles can occur during sample preparation, particularly during filtration or sample transfer steps. If not properly accounted for, this may lead to an underestimation of the actual microplastic concentration.
To address this, we perform positive controls tailored to the specific sample type and the requirements of our clients. In these controls, our particulate reference materials (PlastiTrax®) are deliberately added (spiked) to the samples to verify that the sample preparation and analytical workflow are performed correctly.