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10 ppb screening or NIAS screening (non-target analysis) semiquantitative
Semi-quantitative screening for the presence of NIAS (non-intentionally added substances) or some SML substances by GC/MS after migration with food simulant ethanol 95% for foods with hydrophilic or lipophilic properties or simulant E (poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide or Tenax ®) for dry foods. In principle, substances with molecular weights of approx. 100 - 700 Dalton (or approx. 100 -700 g/mol) can be detected.

Primary aromatic amines photometric sum method
Photometric sum method according to § 64 LFGB method L 00.006

Heavy metals / metals
Elements according to the Packaging Directive 94/62 / EC (lead, cadmium, total chromium, mercury), EDQM Publication: Metals and alloys in food contact materials or metals in accordance with Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011

PAA -Primary Aromatic Amines, specific migration by HPLC-MS/MS, multimethod
Primary aromatic amines, specific migration using a multi-method

Mineral oils MOSH, POSH and MOAH
Determination of mineral oil hydrocarbons, MOSH (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons), POSH (polyolfin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons) and MOAH (mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons) in food, in food simulants, in packagings or investigation of the barrier of packaging materials against it.

Residual solvents determination
DIN EN 13628-2 (industrial method), Headspace gas chromatography FID, multi-method, listing of solvents: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, cyclohexane, acetone, benzene, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 1-methoxy-2-propanol, toluene, n-propyl acetate, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methoxy -1-butanol, isododecane, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, 3-butoxy-2-propanol, diacetone alcohol, acetylacetone

set off test from printings and laquers according Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006
Laboratory storage test to evaluate the inertness of printed and laquered articles in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 (GMP), transfer of ink constituents or coating components from the printed surface on the food-contact surface, e.g. winded reels, or hollow bodies stacked in stacks of material, with materials / objects that are intended for direct food contact in the laboratory. Specific migrations or NIAS screenings are required afterwards, which must be selected depending on the printing ink/varnish used in order to evaluate whether a migration is occurring (please add additional test).

Slip agent content in polyolefines, EA (Erucamide) and OA (oleamide), qualitative and quantitative
Slip agents based on fatty acid amides, such as Erucamide and oleamide, are among the most commonly used additives, particularly in polyethylene and polypropylene films. Analysis by GC-MS after solvent extraction, limit of detection ESA 220 ppm, OESA 120 ppm. Lower limits and other materials on request.

organo tin compounds
determination of organo tin compounds (methyl tin-, butyl tin-, octyl tin-, hexyl tin- and triphenyl tin-cation) after migration with a multi method

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), determination of content
Substances: acenaphthene, acenaphthylene, anthracene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[g,h,i]peryrene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene,fluoranthene, fluorene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene, naphthaline, phenanthrene, pyrene with expanded scope of testing: 5-methylchrysene, benzo[c]fluorene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, cyclopenta[c,d]pyrene, dibenzo[a,e]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]pyrene, dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene

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sensory analysis of packaging materials/transition of sensory perceptible substances to (test) foodstuffs
Organoleptic determination of the flavour transition (gustatory, olfactory and trigeminal sensations may be influenced by tactile, thermal, painful and/or kinaestesic effects) from packaging materials to standard test foodstuffs, commonly known as the "Robinson test", as well as change in appearance and odour of the (test) foodstuff.

Total migration rapid tests, alternative simulants or substitute tests
Substitution for food simulants according to Regulation EU 10/2011: In screening for total migration, food simulants may be substituted if, based on scientific evidence, the substitute food simulants overestimate migration compared to the regulated food simulants. Rapid tests are carried out, for example, with the solvents isooctane (for testing non-polar materials such as polyolefins) or 95 % ethanol (for testing polar materials such as PET). Test conditions freely configurable according to DIN EN 1186/Directive 97/48/EC alternative simulants and rapid tests with e.g. isooctane, 95 % ethanol.

Total migration special tests / Substitute test OM8 und OM9
Test conditions free configurable according to DIN EN 1186, classical food simulants (exceptionally alternative tests like Isooctane or 95 Vol.-% Ethanol testing): Simulants: water, A = Ethanol 10 % (v/v), B = Acetic acid 3 % (w/v), C = Ethanol 20 % (v/v), D1= Ethanol 50 % (v/v), D 2= Vegetable oil, E= poly (2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide) (Tenax ®) Substitute test for OM7 with food simulant D2: OM8 und OM9 according to Resolution (EC) 10/2011

colourfastness of dyes of plastic materials
Acc. to the 24th Communication on the testing of plastics, Bundesgesundheitsblatt 15 (1972) "(...) There are no objections to the use of colorants for coloring plastics and other polymers 2 in the manufacture of commodities (...), provided (...) the requirement of no visible migration to food stuffs during proper use of the commodity (...)." This requirement can be easily checked with the test available here.

microbiological examination
Determination of total viabl count, yeasts and moulds resp. enterobacteria

Determination of migration test temperature (SML and OM) for microwave application
Tests of specific migration (SML) and overall migration (OM) on plastic articles which are intended for use in microwave ovens,in accordance with EN 1186-1 are performed under the appropriate time and temperature conditions in a conventional oven. For this purpose the temperature that occurs at the interface of food / packaging during heating of the contents under the conditions of use in the worst foreseeable conditions must be determined. This is done by using a calibrated microwave oven at the predetermined heat output.

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Puncture resistance, quasi-statical (temperature range - 40 up to + 120 °C)
Test performed with Zwick, tensile, compression tester, testing speed 25 resp. 100 mm/min. Tests carried out at room temperature for the standard price. For tests in the thermal chamber additional charge. The minimum and maximum technically feasible temperature ranges are dependent on the material. We will gladly advise you.

Determination of thickness of plastic films, aluminium foils, plane multilayer-materials and sheets
Determination by mechanical scanning (accredited test method)

Bond strength/peel force of laminates/multi-layer films/bondings (temperature range - 40 up to + 120 °C)
DIN 53357 A (historical)/ASTM F 904/DIN EN ISO 11339 peel test after separation of the laminated layers (accredited test method)

Surface resistance/resistivity
With circular electrode or polymeric blade electrode (Bayer electrode). Documentation in report as direct result (depending on electrode) and surface resistivity. Conditioning as agreed, measurements even under conditions deviating from the standard climate of 23°C/50% r. h. possible in climate chamber.

Tensile test aluminium films
DIN EN 546-2 determination of tensile strength RM, max. load Fmax, elongation at break A100 oder A50

storage test/ accelerated aging in lab drying oven or refrigerator (controlled temperature)
Storage tests with or without filling good for estimating the long-term stability of materials and packages. The storage tests, depending on the requirements, could be carried out in lab drying oven (convection), refrigerator, explosion-protected heating chamber (e.g. solvent-based media,T1- T3 max 105 °C;T 4 max. 70 °C), climate chamber (humidity and temperature controlled, temperature and humidity cycles possible). Please select the appropriate method to avoid unnecessary costs. Tests by this method are common for accelerated assessment of material aging for long-term applications, also in terms of resistance against chemicals, foodstuffs or other filling goods. The assesment looks purely on technical aspects, for the assessment of compliance with food legislation is referred to relevant legal requuirements. Nevbermind, we strongly recommend parallel tests under real storage conditions to validate the meaningfulness of accelerated aging tests. To prepare an offer we need the following information: What type of packaging should be tested (size, filling volume)? How many packages should be stored? Are the packages empty or do they have to be emptied before testing? Which contents are involved (CAS no./ safety data sheet)? How long should the packages be stored? Under what ambient conditions should the packages be stored (temperature, controlled relative humidity)?

sealing properties of plastic films/ Hot- Tack- Test
Only suitable for flexible films. Preparing of sealings and testing by means of Hot-Tack- Tester (KOPP- apparatus) analogue ASTM F 1921.The tests are prepared by ​​using pre-agreed parameters. To create sealing curves individual parameters are varied, e.g. for determining the dependence of the sealing properties on the sealing temperature Ts [° C]. Of course, sealing curves can also determined as a function of cooling time [ms], sealing pressure ps [N / cm], sealing time ts [s] or testing speed [m/s]. Typically, one parameter is varied over 5 equal steps and the results are plotted graphically as a function of the variable. (accredited test).

Gelboflextest/Brugger KFT
Wrinkle test in which a piece of film of approx. DIN A 4 size is cylindrically wrung up at an angle of max. 440 ° in the Brugger KFT tester. Usually 100 cycles are performed, afterwards the sample is tested e. g. on hole formation, delamination, oxygen or water vapour transmission rate, optical density or the like. The base price includes the examination of max. 4 sheets over 100 cycles at an angle of max. 440 °. Other test conditions are available upon request, calculation according to time spent. Minimum sample size 280 mm x 200 mm.

Wetting tension (e.g. for determination of Corona treatment intensity)
Suitable for plastic films and sheets (Union Carbide test) as well as for plastic coatings on paper and other substrates. The test is carried out by wetting the material surface by coloured inks with specified wetting tension for determination of the critical surface tension.. Standard parameter for the assessment of surface tension after corona treatment (also called "dyn-number"). Also suitable for troubleshooting e.g. anti-sealing effect, reverse side treatment, blocking or corona perforation.

Seal resistance of printings or coatings (heat resitance)
Over sealing of the sample against fine paper by laboratory sealer with smooth or structurated sealing bars, determination of max Ts [°C] till deterioration of printing or laquer (adhesion, discoloration) with constant ps [N/cm²], ts [s].

linear dimensional changes/ dimensional stability/ temperature stability of films and sheets
Determination of linear dimensional changes after exposure to temperature (till ca. 175°C, depending on material) of plastic films and sheets. Please select testing temperature. For shrink films we recommend the examination of shrinkage or shrinking stress.

Tensile test paper, sealing strength of paper samples
Paper DIN EN ISO 1924-2 determination of tensile strength, stretch at break,TEA (accredited test method) DIN EN 868-4 Annexe C, measuring the seal strength of machine-made bags or sealed samples made of paper

Tear resistance (also folded edges), (temperature range - 40 up to + 120 °C)
Methods available: trapezoid, trouser, on request: FhG leaflet 6 part 9 (folded edges, trapezoide - extra charge!), Graves

Abrasion test of printings acc. Dr. Ruf method
Determination of abrasion resistance of printings, laqcuers etc. The test can be performed dry (as received), wet (after immersion in water) or after storage in liquid media/filling goods respectively after other pretreatments (sterilization, UV irradiation).

weathering test/ light fastness- exposure to laboratory light sources or artificial weathering/UV- test
DIN EN ISO 4892-2; with filtered xenon arc lamp, sample area max. 240 x 400 mm²); with water sprinkling (water spray) or dry. Also possible is the determination of light fastness, e.g. from printink inks or coloured materials, acc. DIN ISO 12040 bluescale (wool standard)/ fastness level 1-8.

Fat repellent impregnation of paper, lipophobic properties;Kit-Test
3M-Kit-test, classification of the fat impregnation of papers by wetting tests with solutions on basis of (castor-oil, n-heptane, toluene. If the resistance of plastic- coatings/ laquers, e.g. on paper, against fat penetration should be tested please select the method "penetrability of fat/ fat- proof test".

curling or flatness
The curl of sheet materials depends generally on temperature and conditioning state. So multilayer materials produced by usage of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion or unequal expansion/ shrinkage due to differing hygroscopic tendency may tend to curl caused by a kind of bi-metall effect. In addition to that excessive mechanical stress in the processing of rolls can cause curl.

Impact resistance by the free-falling dart method – Instrumented puncture test
Impact resistance test in a drop impact tester, test speed approx. 4.4 m/s, for simulating impact-like stresses similar to the test of the drop hammer method (Dart Drop). In comparison to the Dart Drop test, the determination of the characteristic value is done electronically by means of a piezo force sensor in the drop probe as well as a light gate for deformation measurement and not by iterative variation of the impact mass (staircase method). Therefore, in addition to the damage force, results are also obtained for the deformation to fracture or the damage work. An older method according to specifications of the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging also allows testing of folded edges on premature damage.

penetrability of fat/ fat- proof test
Testing of paper, coated paper or plastic films with pigmented palm kernel fat. The sample is covered on the test surface with the test fat and then the glass pane and, if necessary, additional weights are placed on top.At the end of the exposure time, the grease spots up to 1 mm in size, visible to the naked eye on the display paper within the defined test area, are evaluated. If only grease spots up to 1,0 mm are observed, the test is considered to have been passed; in the case of grease spots larger than 1,0 mm, the test has to be performed with a more moderate test condition (a "poorer" grease permeability group).

shrinkage stress determination of plastic films
Isothermal or dynamic measurement, temperature range 40-140°C; MD or TD including a measurement of the contraction force after cooling on the basis of ISO 14616

Tensile test paper wet strength
DIN ISO 3781 determination of wet breaking load after immersion in water, calculation of relative wet strength relating to initial strength of paper conditioned under standard climate.

Anti Fogging Test
Examination of transparent films or packages for antifogging properties, as cold fog (storage in refrigerator T = 6° C) and/or hot fog (filling with hot tap water T = 60° C and storage at T = 23° C). The bedewing of the sample is constrained by falling below the dew point, assessed visually and photographically documented.

shear strength of glued seams (temperature range -40 to +120 °C)
5 pieces of 15 mm wide strips are taken from the seam and tested in a tensile tester under shear stress. The maximum force to fracture of the seam is determined.

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Density of plastic materials
DIN EN ISO 1183-1, of mono films, granules, moulded articles etc. made of polyolefins, PVC, or Polyamide. PET samples must have a minimum thickness of 0.3 mm, thin PET films cannot be tested with this method.

Coating quantity/weight of adhesives, lacquers, coatings, hotmelts, cold sealants
Gravimetric determination according FhG information sheet 11 part 1, results in [g/m²] Note: The application weight of the cured reactive adhesives or laquer systems (e. g. polyurethane laminating adhesive in composite films or epoxy laqueres) mostly can not be determined, because the method works only by removability of the layer to be tested, e.g. by dissolving under usage of solvents. We recommend in such cases an orienting light microscopic measurement of the adhesive or lacquer layer thickness by means of a microtome cross section.

microscopical examination by light microscopy incl. photographic documentation
microscopical examination of any samples. Payment based on the time invested.

Moisture content/water content (residual moisture)
The choice of the appropriate method depends essentially on the expected moisture content. Higher water contents can be determined gravimetrically well with the drying oven technique. When lower water contents are expected, the water selective Karl Fischer titration should be chosen, as incorrect measurements, for example by other volatile matters can be excluded. The Karl Fischer method is, however, not intended for determination of higher water contents.

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gloss
Reflectometer value for the determination of the gloss unit. The measuring angle depends on the surface of the sample (measuring angle: high glossy: 20°, medium glossy 60°, matte:85°).

determination of opacity
The measurements are carried out using a spectrophotometer according to ISO 2471 or DIN 6125. An opacity card (Leneta) type 2 a serves as a black and white base according to DIN 6125.

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Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils, etc.
Coulombmetric (oxygen specific) carrier gas method Method (Ametek/ Mocon).

Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) of moulded parts, packages, pouches, bottles, etc. (only suitable for barrier materials, see also "i")
The measurement is carried out by using the the water vapor specific hydrolysis method, which allows to detect even the lowest permeabilities precisely and reproducibly. Besides the standard parameters offered, measurements can be carried out under a wide variety of temperature and humidity conditions. Attention: This method is only suitable for packs with a good water vapour barrier. Materials with high permeation coefficients, e.g. PA, thermoplastic starch or PLA, cannot be measured due to excessive permeation.

Tightness, leakage test/pores/micro-holes/defects
These tests are used to locate defects, leaks, micro-holes (pinholes), leakages and so on in packagings, pouches, bags and films. Depending on the problem and material, various methods are used, e.g. gas detection, dye penetration, chemical copper deposition, resistance against water or visual inspection on standardized light box. Please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be pleased to assist you in selecting a suitable method for your questions. To submit an offer, we need the following information: What kind of packaging should be tested (size, filling volume)? How many packages should be stored? Are the packages empty or do they have to be emptied before testing? Which contents are involved (CAS no./safety data sheet)?

Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR)/ Sd- value
Determination of the Sd value according to the gravimetric method on diffusion open and diffusion inhibiting materials with Sd values of approx. 0.03- 10 m ( equivalent to a WVTR of approx. 4- 800 g/(m²xd) depending on the material and test conditions) as a quintuple determination. For diffusion-inhibiting, diffusion-blocking and diffusion-proof materials with Sd values of approx. 10- >1500 m (corresponds to a WVTR of approx. 0.005- 125 g/(m²xd) depending on the material and test conditions), we recommend the more rapid and more cost-effective electrolysis method (then deviating from the standard as a double determination).

Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), gravimetric test
Gravimetric determination of WVTR acc. DIN 53122 or DIN 12572/12086. We recommend the measurement by hydrolysis method acc. ISO 15106-3 (hist DIN 53122-2). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Nitrogen transmission rate (N2 TR) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, alufoils etc.
Testing performed with the manometric method acc. DIN 53380 T 2 resp. ISO 15105-1 (Brugger-method), also comparable to ASTM D 1434-procedure M.

Determination of (residual) oxygen and carbon dioxide content in ready-made packages
(Residual) oxygen and carbon dioxide content in sealed containers of any kind provided with modified gas atmosphere (MAP), e. g. cups, bottles, pouches, trays. The testing can be carried out with filled as well as empty packages. The method is not suitable for testing vacuum packages. Basic price, measurement of 5 emptied and cleaned packages included, additional measurements according to time.

Permeation (air, methane, helium, argon, others on request) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils
The method enables permeation measurement of permanent gases according to the non-selective manometric method. The measurement is only possible with dry gas (0% relative humidity).