Waste recovery analysis laboratory
As an industrialist you wish to carry out a waste recovery analysis
What is industrial waste?
Every year, industrial activity generates tons of waste. There are various forms of this waste: scrap metal, cardboard, paper, plastic, fabrics, rock debris, used oil, foundry slag, etc. The FILAB laboratory is able to assist you in analysing the recovery of your waste.
They can be found in various forms: liquid or gaseous and can include raw materials, finished products, by-products, packaging or chemical products.
What do the regulations say about waste recovery?
The management of industrial waste is regulated by environmental laws and regulations. Companies must ensure that their waste is treated and disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner. They must use methods such as recycling, energy recovery, biological treatment, landfill or incineration, depending on the type of waste.
What is waste recovery?
Waste recovery is the process of turning waste into useful resources. It involves the use of different technologies to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or incineration, and to recover the raw materials or energy contained in the waste. Waste recovery can include recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, incineration with energy recovery, and other similar methods.
The aim is to reduce environmental impact and move towards a circular economy, in which resources are used more efficiently and sustainably.
The 3 objectives of industrial waste recovery :
The recovery of industrial waste is part of an approach aimed at limiting the environmental impact of industrial activities while optimising resources.
Reduction: limiting waste production at source
Reducing waste involves reducing the quantity of waste at the design and production stages. FILAB analyses processes and materials to identify sources of waste and propose technical solutions to limit their production.
Recycling: giving a second life to raw materials
Whether metals, plastics or paper, this approach helps to preserve natural resources, reduce the energy consumed in the production of new materials, while limiting greenhouse gas emissions. FILAB carries out precise chemical analysis to extract reusable components and guarantee their reintroduction into the production cycle.
Reuse: extending the life of products
FILAB characterises industrial waste by identifying reusable components and assessing their suitability for a second life in industrial processes or as an alternative raw material.
The FILAB laboratory can help you recover and characterise your waste
Why choose FILAB to recover your industrial waste?
For more than 30 years, the FILAB laboratory has been helping manufacturers to solve their problems. Equipped with state-of-the-art analytical equipment, the FILAB laboratory characterizes your waste and assists you in waste recovery thanks to a range of quality services:
Our analysis services
Characterization of hazardous industrial waste
Assessing dangerousness
Hazardous industrial waste (HIW) poses major challenges for companies, both in environmental and regulatory terms. By characterizing this waste, we can understand its composition and hazardous nature, and ensure that it is managed in a safe and compliant manner.
Preventing risks
To assess the hazardousness of a waste product, its chemical composition and physical properties need to be measured precisely. This step is essential to prevent risks during handling and storage.
Industrial waste analysis and inorganic chemistry
Inorganic chemistry is used in the analysis of industrial waste, in particular to detect and quantify elements such as :
- Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury).
- Halogens (chlorine, fluorine).
- Complex mineral residues.
Our high-performance solutions :
- Analysis by ICP-AES and ICP-MS spectrometry.
- Detection of volatile and trace elements on a nanometric scale.
- Measurement of the organic/inorganic fraction for a complete assessment.
How is waste characterization carried out?
Laboratory waste characterization follows a rigorous methodology:
- Collection and preparation of samples.
- Detailed chemical analysis (metals, organic compounds, volatile elements).
- Assessment of hazardousness (combustibility, corrosivity, toxicity).
- Drafting of a full report to guide decisions on industrial waste management.
FILAB can help you with :
- Expertise in inorganic chemistry.
- State-of-the-art equipment, such as ICP-MS, for ultra-precise analysis.
- Tailor-made services to meet your industrial challenges.
Waste recovery: from prevention to industrial waste management
The recovery of industrial waste follows a variety of procedures, depending on the sector of activity, the type of waste and the objectives being pursued (reduction, recycling, reuse). These stages require specific analysis to guarantee their effectiveness.
1. Prevention: analysis to limit waste production
- Assessment of production processes: analysis of raw material losses in order to propose improvements to reduce residues.
- Raw material substitution tests: study of alternative solutions to replace hazardous or non-recyclable substances with more sustainable options.
2. Waste recovery and management: targeted analysis
- Material recovery: chemical characterisation (ICP-MS, XRF) and physical analyses (granulometry, density, DSC) to identify recoverable components and their potential for industrial reintegration.
- Recyclability: chemical and mechanical tests to assess the transformation of waste into sustainable quality products.
- Industrial composting: biochemical analyses (C/N, FTIR) and control of contaminants to guarantee the conversion of organic waste into safe soil improvers.
3. Problem solving: processing complex waste
For waste that cannot be recycled directly, analysis is used to define appropriate solutions:
- Chemical neutralisation: tests to assess the effectiveness of treatments in reducing the toxicity of substances.
- Stabilisation and encapsulation: analyses to control the solidification of waste in inert matrices and guarantee its safety.
- Characterization of complex waste: identification of chemical and physical properties (pH, solubility, composition) to adapt treatment solutions.
- Materials compatibility tests: assessment of possible interactions between waste and the materials used for its containment or treatment.
Each stage in this chain is based on in-depth laboratory studies, guaranteeing appropriate solutions that comply with environmental standards.
Industrial recycling problems and problematic substances
Each industrial sector presents specific waste management challenges, requiring targeted analysis to optimise recovery and ensure regulatory compliance.
Metallurgy: metal waste and residues
Common problems:
- Metal dust containing toxic heavy metals (lead, cadmium).
- Sludge from electrolysis or surface treatment of metals.
Solutions through analysis:
- Determination of the organic/mineral fraction ratio (ICP-AES): identify components to adjust thermal or chemical treatments.
- Quantitative determination of elements (ICP-MS): to assess toxic heavy metals and detect precious metals to be recovered.
Plastiques : déchets polymériques
Problèmes courants :
- Plastiques non recyclables et émissions toxiques lors de l’incinération.
- Additifs dangereux comme les phtalates.
Solutions par analyses :
- Analyse de la teneur en C/S (analyseur élémentaire) : mesurer le potentiel énergétique des plastiques et évaluer les émissions soufrées.
- Détermination des halogènes (CLI) : identifier les composés chlorés ou fluorés pour adapter les procédés industriels.
Chimie : déchets réactifs et toxiques
Problèmes courants :
- Substances corrosives ou instables, solvants organiques, acides forts.
- Risques environnementaux liés aux hydrocarbures aromatiques et halogènes.
Solutions par analyses :
- Neutralisation chimique basée sur des dosages spécifiques (ICP-AES) : réduire la dangerosité des acides et solvants.
- Dosage des halogènes (CLI) : minimiser la corrosion et les émissions toxiques lors des traitements thermiques.
Medical: biological and chemical waste
Common problems:
- Infectious waste and toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde.
- Expired medicines that are difficult to dispose of.
Solutions through analysis:
- Tests on leachate (total metals): to check the mobility of contaminants for treatment in a controlled landfill.
- Chemical characterization of residues (ICP-AES): to ensure neutralisation or separation of hazardous compounds.
Specific recovery: batteries and mineral residues
Common problems:
- Rare metals in batteries and polluting mineral residues.
Solutions through analysis:
- Determination of rare metals (ICP-MS): maximise recovery of recoverable components.
- Analysis of mineral residues (ICP-AES): to assess their potential for reuse in construction or their environmental impact.
These analyses, tailored to each problem, help optimise industrial processes while complying with European regulatory constraints.
FAQ
Hazardous waste falls into several categories according to its nature and hazardousness:
- Chemical waste
Used solvents (acetone, toluene).
Corrosive acids and bases (sulphuric acid, soda).
Catalyst residues (toxic metals).
2 Metal waste
Metal sludge and dust (lead, cadmium).
Used batteries (lithium, nickel-cadmium).
3 Organic waste
Used oils (lubricants).
Paints, varnishes and glues (rich in solvents).
Plastics with hazardous additives (phthalates).
4 Biological and infectious waste
Medical waste (syringes, dressings).
Expired medicines.
5. Mineral and specific waste
Asbestos and contaminated materials.
Toxic gases (ammonia, CFCs).
Radioactive waste.
- Metal sludge and dust: from surface treatment processes (galvanising, anodising).
- Used oils: lubricants or cutting oils contaminated with metals.
- Slags: by-products of smelting processes.
- Heavy metals: lead, cadmium, mercury contained in treatment residues.
Used solvents: acetone, methanol, benzene, toluene.
Corrosive acids and bases: used in synthesis processes.
Catalyst residues: containing rare or toxic metals.
Toxic or explosive substances: peroxides, nitrites, organochlorine compounds.
- Contaminated plastic waste: PVC, resins, mixed composites.
- Polymer powders and particles: from moulding or cutting processes.
- Toxic gases: emitted during manufacturing or recycling.
- Toxic additives: phthalates, brominated flame retardants.
- Biological and infectious waste: syringes, contaminated equipment.
- Chemical products that have expired or been discarded: solvents, formaldehyde, acids used in sterilisation.
- Unused medicines: containing risky active substances.
- Contaminated electronic equipment: sensors, analysis equipment.
- Used batteries: lithium, cadmium, lead, nickel.
- Obsolete electronic components: electronic cards containing rare or toxic metals.
- Refrigerant gases: CFCs and HCFCs from cooling equipment.
- Plastic and metal waste: mixed and difficult to recycle.
