Laboratory Microplastic Analysis: Identification and Quantification
Do you want to carry out a microplastics analysis in the laboratory
What is microplastic analysis?
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, resulting from the degradation of plastic materials or intentionally added to certain products.
Microplastic analysis consists of identifying, quantifying, and characterizing these particlesin order to understand their presence in different environments or materials.
SPM microparticle analysis
Synthetic polymer microparticles (SPM) are small plastic material particles, generally ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm. They can result from the degradation of larger plastics or be intentionally manufactured in this form.
Analyzing SPM makes it possible to determine their chemical nature, size, and concentration in various samples, which is essential for assessing their industrial impact. SPM also raise major issues in industry, particularly in terms of contamination of finished products and regulatory compliance.
Using a qualified microplastic laboratory makes it possible to characterize these particles in detail.
How FILAB supports you in the research, qualification, and analysis of microplastics?
analysis carried out during microplastic characterization
Identify the chemical nature to determine the polymer composition of the microplastics present in the samples.
Identify the chemical nature to determine the polymer composition of the microplastics present in the samples.
Characterize the morphology and structure, to determine the shape, size, and structure of the particles.
Characterize the morphology and structure, to determine the shape, size, and structure of the particles.
Qualify and quantify microplastics, by identifying and classifying them by type and size (SEM-EDX, micro-RAMAN)
Qualify and quantify microplastics, by identifying and classifying them by type and size (SEM-EDX, micro-RAMAN)
Analyze the biodegradability criterion (OECD 301) in aerobic aqueous media (Method F)
Analyze the biodegradability criterion (OECD 301) in aerobic aqueous media (Method F)
Microplastics characterization
Microplastics characterization
Analysis according to Method 445.0 : microbeads in consumer products
Polymer solubility threshold to determine whether it is considered a microplastic by OECD 120
methodOur technical resources for microplastics analysis
FILAB, a microplastics laboratory, specializes in the identification and analysis of microplastics thanks to state-of-the-art analytical equipment. We use advanced techniques to detect the presence of microplastics in a wide range of materials and complex matrices.
FILAB, as an expert in microplastics analysis and SPM (Microplastic Particulate Substances), offers comprehensive support to identify, qualify, and quantify the presence of microplastics in a wide range of environments and products.
Thanks to advanced analytical techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, Raman microscopy, or pyrolysis-GC/MS, our microplastics analysis laboratory is able to detect even the most complex microplastics, whether primary or secondary.
FILAB, expert in microplastics and SPM analysis
FILAB, a microplastics analysis laboratory, has developed strong expertise in the research and analysis of microplastics (including SPM) in cosmetic products.
The latest regulatory developments regarding microplastics
After being commissioned by the European Union, the ECHA proposed, in 2019, a broad restriction on microplastics contained in products placed on the EU market. This regulation aims to ban the placing on the market of products containing microplastics in order to limit their release into the environment.
In December 2020, the CASE body (Socio-Economic Analysis Committee) supported the ECHA proposal and made even stricter recommendations regarding the size limit of a microplastic, now set between 100 nm and 5 mm.
Find the guide "Restriction of microplastics intentionally added to products"
This European restriction, which came into force in 2022, affects all industrial products, as microplastics are intentionally added to the majority of consumer products. However, it mainly concerns “microbeads” in cosmetic products that are rinsed off after use.
FILAB, a microplastics laboratory, supports you in the microplastics analysis of your products to ensure their compliance.
Classification of microplastics
Particules intentionnellement fabriquées pour être de petite taille, comme les microbilles utilisées dans les produits de soin, les cosmétiques et les détergents.
Les microplastiques primaires sont de minuscules particules de plastique, souvent inférieures à 5 mm, directement produites sous cette forme. Ces particules se retrouvent dans de nombreux produits du quotidien, comme les cosmétiques (microbilles exfoliantes), les textiles synthétiques ou les granulés industriels.
Un laboratoire d’analyse des microplastiques en milieu aquatique, tel que FILAB, met en œuvre des techniques avancées de détection de particules microplastiques, notamment par spectroscopie FTIR ou microscopie électronique, afin d’identifier et quantifier la présence de ces polluants dans l’eau potable, les sols ou les emballages.
Particles resulting from the degradation of larger plastic objects (bottles, bags, textile fibers, etc.) under the effect of environmental factors (UV, mechanical abrasion, temperature). Appropriate microplastic analysis makes it possible to distinguish between these two types of sources.
Secondary microplastics come from the gradual fragmentation of larger plastic waste, under the effect of physical (UV, abrasion), chemical, or biological factors.
Present in oceans, rivers, soils, or even the air, these residues pose a major challenge for the environment and human health.
Applications of microplastics analysis
Our services meet the needs of many sectors:
- Wastewater and effluents: pollution monitoring and regulatory compliance.
- Cosmetics industry: detection of plastic microbeads in formulations.
- Textiles and plastics processing: assessment of particles released during use or washing.
Transition Offer: analytical and consulting solution to optimize your environmental impact
FILAB supports manufacturers in their LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) efforts for their products to find environmental optimization solutions thanks to its expertise in chemistry and materials.
- Choose the right materials from the design stage
- Reduce your product’s environmental footprint
- Reduce environmental impact by optimizing the production chain
- Turn waste into resources
FAQ
Microplastic analysis in the laboratory consists of identifying their chemical nature, size, and morphology in various samples.
It makes it possible to detect the presence of plastic particles in materials, finished products, or industrial discharges, ensuring compliance with standards and control of contaminants.
Measuring microplastics consists of identifying and classifying them by polymer type and size.
Microplastics are small plastic particles (1 µm to 5 mm), resulting from the degradation of polymeric materials or intentionally added to products. They raise major environmental and industrial issues, particularly in terms of contamination and compliance.
Identifying microplastics in products consists of detecting their presence and determining their chemical composition.
This step makes it possible to distinguish the different types of polymers present, even in complex matrices.
The goal is to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Thanks to our spectroscopy techniques (FTIR, RAMAN) and electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), we are able to detect and identify microplastics down to a few micrometers. This sensitivity provides a precise view of the nature and distribution of the particles present in your samples.
Microplastic analysis covers all polymers commonly used in industry: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), PVC, as well as many other technical plastics. Our methods make it possible to identify both intentional microbeads and fragments resulting from plastic degradation.
