---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Deformulation of polymers in the laboratory"
description: "As an industrial manufacturer, you want to carry out polymer de-formulation Polymer de-formulation: what are we talking about? First of all, it is important to understand what de-formulation is, also known as “reverse engineering.” Polymer de-formulation consists of determining the..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/deformulation-polymers-laboratory/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_6282122a4ccd4", "Thomas GAUTIER"]
timestamp: "2026-08-04T14:17:23Z"
published: "2022-06-15T14:08:24Z"
language: "en"
author: "bwa"
---

# Deformulation of polymers in the laboratory

## As an industrial manufacturer, you want to carry out polymer de-formulation

### Polymer de-formulation: what are we talking about?

First of all, it is important to understand what [de-formulation](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-deformulation-analysis-reverse-engineering.md) is, also known as “reverse engineering.” Polymer de-formulation consists of determining the nature and quantities of the materials present in a formulation within the material. In short, it means analyzing and breaking down the chemical composition of a product.

**Polymer de-formulation** is a strategic technical lever for accessing the full formulation of a material: base polymer, additives, fillers, processing agents… each component can be identified, quantified, and interpreted.

## The FILAB laboratory supports manufacturers in polymer de-formulation

  Services
### Discover our polymer de-formulation services

 “Signature” pack: rapid identification / fingerprinting
Quickly identify the nature of the main polymer (material sorting, simple control).

 “Signature +” pack: rapid identification / fingerprinting
Quickly identify the nature of the main polymer (material sorting, simple control).

 “Structure” pack: structural identification and formulation
Determine the composition of the polymer matrix and understand its molecular structure (copolymers, thermal degradation, stability).

 “Insight” pack: structural identification, formulation and fillers
Identify the polymer and the presence/nature of mineral fillers.

 “ORGANIC ADDITIVES” Pack: Qualitative analysis of the organic additives present
Identify all organic constituents (polymer + additives).

 “DEEP” pack: complete de-formulation
Obtain the total composition, organic and mineral

#### Get a quote for polymer de-formulation studies:

Easily compare our offers using the table below, which details the techniques included in each pack to help you choose the one best suited to your needs.

**Have a question? We invite you to fill out the form on the right directly to speak with our expert.**

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|   | FTIR | Py-GCMS | TGA | SEM-EDX | NVR | GC/MS | LC-HRMS |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **PACK “Signature”** | **✅** |   |   |   |   |   |   |
| **PACK “Signature +”** | **✅** |   | **✅** |   |   |   |   |
| **PACK “Structure”** | **✅** | **✅** |   |   |   |   |   |
| **PACK “Insight”** | **✅** | **✅** | **✅** | **✅** |   |   |   |
| **PACK “ORGANIC ADDITIVES”** |   | **✅** |   |   | **✅** | **✅** | **✅** |
| **PACK “DEEP”** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |

### What technical methods are used for polymer de-formulation?

  [### DSC

Transition temperature, crystallinity](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-dsc-calorimetric.md) [### ATG-IRTF

Identification of material decomposition gases](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/tga-tga-ftir-and-tga-ms-analysis-at-filab-laboratory.md) [### IRTF/FTIR

Rapid identification of the nature of the main polymer](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md) [### Py-GC/MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/py-gc-ms-pyrolysis-gc-ms.md) [### SEM-EDX](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md) [### Soxhlet extraction

In addition: HS-GC/MS, GC/MS, LC-HRMS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-for-the-analysis-and-extraction-of-your-samples-by-soxhlet.md) [### LC-HRMS

Qualitative search for certain semi-volatile additives](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/high-resolution-mass-spectrometry-hrms-analysis.md) [### GC/MS

Qualitative search for certain semi-volatile additives](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-gcms.md) [### Extraction by ASE (accelerated solvent extraction)

In addition: HS-GC/MS, GC/MS, LC-HRMS](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/extraction-ase-laboratoire.md)
### Why call on FILAB for polymer de-formulation?

Disposant d’un large [parc analytique](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) et de compétences humaines dans le domaine des polymères, FILAB a développé une offre de service dédiée à la déformulation de polymères ([PE](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/polyethylene-pe-materials-analysis-laboratory.md), [PP](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/polypropylene-pp-materials-analysis-laboratory.md), [PET](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-pet.md), [PVC](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-pvc.md)…) et formulations à base polymériques (peintures, vernis, [silicone](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-silicone.md),…) , comprenant **des [analyses chimiques](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md), physiques et thermiques**.

Certaines analyses seront réalisées en direct sur l’échantillon ou sur une préparation spécifique après extraction dans un solvant, avec pour objectif d’isoler au mieux la fraction minérale et la fraction organique pour de meilleures interprétations. En fonction du contexte et de vos objectifs, notre équipe vous propose les techniques les plus adaptées.

### In what context should polymer de-formulation be carried out?

The polymer de-formulation process is used in a variety of contexts…

- Analyze and determine the composition of an unknown mixture,
- Compare the composition of several products (double-sourcing or multi-sourcing),
- Check a product’s compliance with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or a technical data sheet,
- Understand an unusual phenomenon, etc.

### How should the results be interpreted?

All results are then combined and interpreted according to the client’s context.

Also, depending on the matrix, other analytical techniques may be relevant in de-formulation processes, such as: **[GPC](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-gpc-sec/)** (measurement of molecular weight and study of chain length distribution), **[NMR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-nmr.md)** (structural analysis), **etc.**

As an independent laboratory with a team of experienced PhDs and engineers, FILAB guarantees the reliability of its results, ensures fast handling of requests, and provides personalized support to its clients.

## A few examples of cases handled at FILAB:

#### De-formulation of an HDPE polymer

Faced with increasingly frequent raw material supply issues, our client wanted more information about the HDPE in question in order to establish a precise specification and find other potential suppliers.

With this in mind, our goal was to obtain as much physico-chemical data as possible on the polymer.

The analysis carried out were: TGA, SEM, DSC, FTIR, Py-GCMS and density measurements.

#### De-formulation of polymer plates

As part of the development of a new product, our client wanted to compare several materials from different suppliers in order to identify the physico-chemical properties most suited to the product’s end use.

Here, in a first approach, we focused on the search for fillers and additives using FTIR, Py-GMCS and TGA.

#### De-formulation of an adhesive

The context here was an abnormal and unusual adhesive underperformance (bonding issue).

Here, the comparative de-formulation between a compliant sample and a non-compliant sample made it possible to highlight the presence of impurities in the non-compliant sample.

#### De-formulation of a biodegradable plastic bag

Our client was looking to de-formulate a so-called “biodegradable” plastic bag used for coffee packaging.

The aim was to determine whether the plastic was indeed made of a biodegradable polymer, PLA (polylactic acid).

For this purpose, FTIR analysis was proposed because PLA has specific bands that make it possible to confirm its presence. However, PLA bands can potentially mask the bands of other polymers (polyethylene, for example), so another method, DSC (dynamic scattering calorimetry), was also proposed. Indeed, temperatures differ depending on the nature of the polymers present.

## Determination of organic phases

 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
The [IRTF](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md) is often the preferred technique for determining the chemical nature of the bonds making up the sample. A spectral search in our data library is then carried out to identify the polymer family present.

 Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
Determination of the glass transition temperature of different polymer families by [DSC](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-dsc/). It also makes it possible to determine whether the polymer is semi-crystalline or amorphous.

 Pyrolysis GC-MS
[Pyrolysis GC-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/py-gc-ms-pyrolysis-gc-ms.md) is used to degrade the sample in order to infer its chemical structure. It can highlight the presence of residual solvents and/or residual monomers, the constituent monomers, and the presence of additives.

 Gas chromatography (GC-MS)
GC-MS screening[GC-MS](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-chromatographie-gc-ms/), in addition to pyrolysis, also identifies the polymer additives, the polymer chains present, as well as the presence of cyclosiloxanes (D3, D4, D5…).

 GC-FID Analysis
[GC-FID](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analyis-standard-iso-19227/analysis-of-total-hydrocarbon-residues-hct-by-gc-fid.md) makes it possible to quantify the various extractable agents and additives present in a rubber formulation. The analysis is carried out after specific preparation on the organic phase.

 HPLC-UV Analysis
Identification and quantification of compounds contained in extractables by [HPLC-UV](https://filab.fr/nos-moyens-techniques/laboratoire-analysis-chromatographie-liquide-hplc/laboratoire-analysis-hplc-uv/)

 LC-QTOF Analysis
Thanks to its database of more than 2,000 substances, [LC-QTOF](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-for-lc-qtof-analysis.md) is used to search for additives present in the polymer, or to identify unknown impurities.

## FAQ

 What is polymer de-formulation?
De-formulation, also known as reverse engineering, is an analytical technique used to determine the exact composition of a polymer material. It makes it possible to identify and quantify the different families of components present: base polymers, fillers, additives, plasticizers, stabilizers, pigments, etc.

 How can polymer de-formulation be useful?
Polymer deformulation is useful in many cases, particularly for analyzing the properties of polymers used in product manufacturing. It can help determine

- the chemical composition of a polymer material,
- its molecular weight,
- its thermal stability,
- its resistance to breakage,
- and its durability in various environments.

This information can be useful in many technical fields, such as product quality, production control, research and development of new products, and failure analysis. In practical terms, polymer deformulation provides essential insights for understanding and improving the performance and quality of polymer products.

 When should de-formulation be used to determine polymer composition?
Polymer deformulation is a technique used to understand the [polymer composition](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/identification-of-the-nature-of-a-polymer.md).

Polymer deformulation is used in several cases:

1. **Competitor analysis**: Identify the composition of a product to develop an alternative or improve a formulation.
2. **Troubleshooting**: Diagnose failures or anomalies in a material (breakage, discoloration, etc.).
3. **Product optimization**: Fine-tune a formula to improve performance or reduce costs.
4. **Regulatory compliance**: Verify the presence or absence of restricted or prohibited substances.
5. **Recycling and recovery**: Identify components to optimize recycling processes.
6. **Quality control**: Compare a finished product to a specification or detect variations in manufacturing.

 Why carry out de-formulation?
Deformulation can meet several industrial needs:

- Analyze a competing product
- Understand the composition of a defective material
- Master a subcontractor’s formulation
- Address a quality or process issue
- Optimize an existing formulation
- Ensure regulatory compliance (REACH, RoHS, etc.)

 Which industrial sectors are concerned by polymer de-formulation?
The **deformulation of polymers** concerns all sectors using **technical or formulated polymer materials**, whether in **finished products**, in **components** or in **packaging**.

Polymer deformulation applies to all types of industrial sectors: pharmaceutical [formulations](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/analysis-industry-pharmaceuticals.md), [cosmetics](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-cosmetics.md), chemicals, [paints](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-paint-varnish.md), [microplastics](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-microplastics.md) etc.

On this topic, FILAB has also developed deformulation services tailored **to solids** ([powders](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-powder-characterization/laboratory-analysis-chemical-composition-powder.md), [metal alloys](https://filab.fr/en/analysis-of-metallic-alloys-in-the-laboratory.md), [ceramics](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-ceramic-testing.md)…), and more specifically to the world of [polymers](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory.md) which come in a wide variety of formulations.