Plastics Analysis at Analytica 2014

Modern and functional materials play an increasingly important role in our everyday lives – from medical instruments and consumer goods to industrial high-tech products in the electronics and automotive industries. Complex materials testing and quality control call for increasingly sophisticated devices and methods. Once again, this topic will be a common theme of the program of events at analytica in Munich (April 1–4).

From chromatography and spectroscopy for laboratory analysis to portable devices for taking quick, non-destructive measurements in the field: More than 1,100 international exhibitors will present their latest analysis devices at analytica. "Chemical analysis of plastics is complex and demanding with regard to quality. Besides the actual polymer, softeners, flame-retardants, stabilisers, pigments and a number of other additives must also be analysed," explains Exhibition Director Susanne Grödl. "Since plastics analysis is one of the main themes of this year's analytica, the fair focuses on the latest developments and methods in this sector."

analytica is the place to be for anyone who wants a comprehensive overview of the entire range of analysis equipment for plastics analysis. Besides instruments for classic plastics analysis, the latest developments in the field of process control and accessories—from scales and laboratory mills to reference materials and reagents—will be presented at the fair. Examples include equipment solutions from leading manufacturers such as Agilent, Axel Semrau, Mettler Toledo, Shimadzu and Bruker as well as systems such as LUM's new LUMIFrac.

Visitors attending analytica should also be sure not to miss lectures from internationally renowned scientists at the analytica Conference, which takes place at the ICM – Internationales Congress Center München from April 1–3. Plastics analysts in particular will find things interesting on Wednesday, April 2 (from 14:30–15:00). That is when Till Gründling will discuss "Tools for the Task– Mastering Challenges in Polymer Characterisation by Chromatography Mass Spectrometry" and give participants insights into the use of MALDI-MS, LC(/MS), GC(/MS) and pyrolysis techniques at BASF in Ludwigshafen. Visitors attending analytica may participate in the conference free of charge.