Deformulation, study of the chemical composition of formulas or materials
What is reverse engineering?
The deformulation or “reverse engineering” of a commercial product, often made up of a complex mixture, consists of determining, through various chemical analyses, the nature and quantities of raw materials present in the formulation.
This application can be applied to different types of products, formulas and materials: paints, plastics (polymers), composites, metals and metal alloys, varnishes, etc.
In what context do industries need to check the chemical composition of products or materials?
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The deformation of materials makes it possible to determine their composition, facilitating the improvement of existing materials and the development of new products. This analysis is essential in industries such as aerospace and automotive, where precise knowledge of materials contributes to performance and safety.
Adhesive deformation helps to understand the chemical composition and adhesion properties of adhesives used in various industrial applications. This analysis is common for sectors such as construction and electronics, where optimal adhesion is required to ensure the durability and reliability of assemblies.
Mixture deformation involves the analysis of complex formulations to identify and quantify components. This technique is particularly useful in industries where compliance with safety standards and product innovation are priorities.
Polymer deformation enables polymer materials to be analysed to reveal their structure and additives. This knowledge is essential in the plastics industry to develop products that are stronger, lighter and more environmentally friendly.
By deforming varnishes, laboratories can discover the resins, plasticisers and other components used. This type of analysis supports industries by ensuring the quality and durability, in particular, of surface finishes.
The deformation of composite materials helps to identify the matrices and reinforcements used, which is essential for sectors requiring high-performance materials, but also when lightness and strength are key characteristics.
This type of reverse-engineering analysis enables companies to understand the formulations of competing products, providing an opportunity to optimise their own products or develop competitive alternatives. It is particularly valued in highly competitive sectors such as cosmetics and chemicals.
The deformulation of active ingredients is essential for the pharmaceutical industry in particular, enabling the composition and mechanism of action of active substances to be understood. This analysis contributes to your innovation process and ensures regulatory compliance.
The analysis of pharmaceutical products through deformation helps to identify excipients and active agents, essential for guaranteeing the efficacy and safety of medicines, thus meeting strict regulatory requirements.
The deformation of elastomers details the composition and properties of these flexible materials, used by industries where durability and adaptability are essential, such as automotive and seal manufacturing. This analysis enables formulations to be refined to improve characteristics such as elasticity and resistance to extreme environmental conditions.
Silicone deformation helps to identify the specific components and formulations of these versatile materials, which are essential for sectors requiring high performance and biocompatibility, such as medical and electronics. This analysis helps to optimise properties such as thermal resistance and flexibility, which are crucial to the development of safe, durable products. It also supports innovation and continuous improvement in silicone applications.
The deformation of rubber reveals the components and additives used in its manufacture, offering valuable insights into improving the quality and performance of rubber products. This analysis is particularly important for the automotive industry, where high quality tyres are essential for safety and durability.
How did FILAB help one of its customers understand the yellowing of a silicone?
Find out moreFAQ
Deformulation, also known as chemical reverse engineering, is the process of breaking down a finished product to identify and quantify all its chemical components.
The goal is to understand the composition of a product — including raw materials, additives, and sometimes even the structure of complex molecules. A specialized reverse engineering lab performs this type of analysis using advanced analytical instruments and expert interpretation.
Deformulation is valuable in many contexts where understanding a product’s composition provides a competitive or technical advantage:
- Competitive benchmarking: identify key ingredients and proportions in a competitor’s product to develop equivalent or improved formulations.
- Problem-solving: determine which ingredient or interaction causes a defect, instability, or poor performance.
- Quality control: verify that raw materials and finished products comply with specifications.
- Product improvement: optimize cost, performance, or sustainability by adjusting the formulation.
- Regulatory compliance: ensure products meet labeling and composition regulations.
- Research and development: gain insight into existing products to inspire innovation or reformulation.
In a reverse engineering lab, these objectives guide the analytical strategy and choice of testing methods.
Nearly any formulated product can undergo chemical reverse engineering, including:
- Cosmetics: creams, lotions, shampoos, makeup, perfumes.
- Pharmaceuticals: tablets, syrups, ointments, and vaccines.
- Polymers and plastics: films, packaging, composites.
- Paints and coatings: lacquers, varnishes, inks.
- Adhesives and sealants: glues, silicones, polyurethanes.
- Industrial chemicals: lubricants, detergents, cleaning agents.
A skilled reverse engineering lab adapts analytical techniques depending on the product category and matrix complexity.
Chemical reverse engineering typically involves a combination of complementary techniques:
- Chromatography
- GC / GC-MS (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry): for volatile and semi-volatile compounds.
- HPLC / LC-MS (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry): for non-volatile or heat-sensitive compounds.
- GPC/SEC (Gel Permeation / Size Exclusion Chromatography): for determining polymer molecular weight.
- Spectroscopy
- FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy): identifies chemical bonds and functional groups.
- NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance): determines molecular structures.
- XRF / ICP-OES: provides elemental composition for metals and minerals.
- Microscopy
- SEM / EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray): surface imaging and localized elemental mapping.
- Thermal Analysis
- TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis): measures weight loss and composition upon heating.
- DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry): evaluates phase transitions and material purity.
- Other Methods
- Titration, pH measurement, density and viscosity analysis for specific physical or chemical properties.
When selecting a reverse engineering lab, look for one that:
- Has proven expertise in your specific product type (cosmetics, polymers, coatings, etc.).
- Offers a wide range of advanced analytical technologies (GC-MS, FTIR, NMR, ICP-OES…).
- Employs experienced chemists skilled in data interpretation.
- Guarantees strict confidentiality and ethical standards.
- Provides clear, detailed, and well-interpreted analytical reports.
- Can advise you on the most appropriate analytical strategy based on your goals.
Most polymer-containing materials can be characterized through chemical reverse engineering, including:
- Plastics: Films, molded parts, fibers (PE, PP, PVC, PET, PS, ABS, PC, PA, PMMA…).
- Elastomers / Rubbers: Seals, tires, hoses, gloves (NR, SBR, EPDM, NBR, FKM, silicone…).
- Composites: Fiber-reinforced materials with polymer matrices (epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester).
- Adhesives and sealants: Polyurethanes, silicones, glues.
- Paints and coatings: Surface treatments, varnishes, inks.
- Foams: Polyurethane, expanded polystyrene, etc.
- Textile fibers: Polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, acrylic…
A reverse engineering lab can adapt its analytical techniques to isolate each polymer phase and additive.
Yes. By identifying polymer types, fillers (type, size, surface treatment), plasticizers, and compatibilizers, chemical reverse engineering helps explain why a material behaves a certain way.
These insights can then be used to modify formulations and improve rigidity, flexibility, impact resistance, or durability.
Deformulation plays a key role in recycling by identifying the different polymers in waste streams. Efficient recycling requires separating incompatible polymers (e.g., PET from PVC) to maintain product quality.
It also detects problematic additives (such as flame retardants) that may limit recyclability or require specific treatments.
A reverse engineering lab provides the data needed to design cleaner, more recyclable formulations.
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