Our analytical service includes the following

| procedural blank |

A procedural blank is included with every individual analysis or, in the case of larger analytical batches, with every fifth sample. The blank is processed under the exact same conditions as the samples themselves using filtered particle-free water (50 mL) and undergoes all identical sample preparation and filtration steps. This enables the monitoring and assessment of potential background contamination introduced during the analytical workflow, supporting the calculation of the reporting limit for each polymer.

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| Quality Assurance and Control |

For enhanced quality assurance, MIQALab offers QA/QC procedures using deuterated polymers (e.g. dPE, dPS). These isotopically labeled particles enable reliable recovery assessment even in complex matrices or in the presence of background contamination from conventional polymers, supporting reproducible and traceable analytical workflows.

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| Recovery |

MIQALab continuously evaluates and optimizes its analytical workflows using our developed PlastiTrax® reference tablets. This enables ongoing monitoring and improvement of recovery performance across different sample matrices and particle sizes, allowing transparent communication of matrix-specific recovery characteristics and analytical limitations.

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| Spectral Database |

Our spectral databases are primarily focused on the priority polymers defined in current guidelines and standards, including ISO 16094-2:2025. In addition, the databases contain a broad range of further polymer types, including environmentally relevant aged polymers, and are continuously expanded and optimized. For specific analytical questions or customer requirements, customized database adaptations and extensions can also be implemented.

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| Weathered Polymers |

To improve the identification of environmental microplastics, PlastiTrax Finder includes a dedicated library of UV-weathered polymers. These reference materials were produced under controlled laboratory conditions to simulate the spectral changes that occur during environmental aging. By incorporating both pristine and weathered polymer spectra into the database, the software achieves more reliable identification of microplastic particles from real environmental samples.

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| Particle Size |

Depending on the sample matrix and analytical requirements, MIQALab offers different particle size cut-offs (10, 20 or 50 µm), defining the minimum particle size included in the analysis. As microplastic particle numbers typically increase exponentially with decreasing particle size, smaller cut-offs significantly increase analytical complexity, measurement time, and data volume. ​

For complex sample matrices, analyses are therefore typically performed down to 20 µm, while for cleaner aqueous samples, measurements down to 10 µm are routinely achievable. In addition to polymer identification, MIQALab also provides the corresponding particle size distribution of all identified microplastics.

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| Analysis Report |

MIQALab provides a comprehensive analytical report including all identified microplastic particles, their corresponding polymer classification, and particle size distribution. In addition, the report contains the results of the associated laboratory procedural blank measurements (described as reporting limit for each polymer) as well as the recovery performance of the applied QA/QC procedures using deuterated polymer standards. For internally validated analytical workflows, matrix-specific recovery data can also be provided upon request.

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