ST4Rlab - step by step

How can our ST4Rlab experts help you?

We warmly invite industry partners to contact us to discuss their specific needs and explore how ST4Rlab can support their innovation journey.

We're here to help turn your ambitions into reality in 3 steps.

1. Sample preparation

End-of-life plastics and textiles are typically collected as large, heterogeneous chunks that require sorting, size reduction, and thorough cleaning before further processing.

Looking for reliable sample analysis? So are we!

That’s why we pay close attention to uniformity and size reduction during sample preparation. Real-world recyclates are often heterogeneous, containing a mix of polymers, additives, and contaminants. But that’s perfectly fine - our experts know how to handle it, ensuring your analysis is both accurate and representative.

Size reduction improves representativeness and extraction efficiency.
Homogenization ensures reproducibility and compatibility with analytical instruments. Techniques include cutting mills (for soft materials), centrifugal mills (for brittle waste), and cryogenic freezer mills (for tough polymers like PET).

Sample clean-up for consistant, reproducible and reliable results

The MPS Robotic Sampler (Gerstel) automates sample clean-up processes such as dilution, filtration, and Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) to effectively remove interfering compounds. This not only enhances the accuracy of subsequent analytical methods, but also ensures consistent and reproducible results.
The Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS (Agilent) features a self-cleaning ion source and delivers highly sensitive and selective detection of contaminants such as plasticizers and residual solvents. This advanced system ensures reliable results while maximizing analytical performance.

2. Guaranteeing Recyclate Quality by identifying Hidden Contaminants in Mixed Recyclates

In this step, we screen and analyze the chemical composition of recyclates, which may be contaminated with legacy substances, mineral oil hydrocarbons, substances banned by REACH, or contain unknown chemicals.

This process is essential to ensure the safe and responsible reuse of materials.

For companies looking to integrate recyclates into their products, ensuring compliance with chemical regulations is not optional - it's essential

Legacy chemicals, PFAS, and REACH-regulated substances can pose serious risks to health, safety, and market access. Detecting and analyzing these substances is crucial to guarantee that recycled materials are safe, legally compliant, and suitable for high-quality applications. Without this assurance, recyclates may compromise product performance, consumer trust, or regulatory approval — making chemical screening a key enabler of sustainable innovation.

The ST4Rlab is equipped with the following technologies to help you comply with these requirements:

LC-MS/MS-ToF detects and identifies legacy chemicals (e.g., PFAS, flame retardants) and NIAS (non-intentionally added substances). Analysis can be performed in both targeted and untargeted manner
LC-GCxGC-MS targets mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH), crucial for food-contact safety.
Micro-XRF and FlashSmart™ Elemental Analysis assess elemental composition, which also allows analysis of inorganic additives

3. Odour tests

Everone dislikes bad smells because they often signal danger, decay, or contamination. Unpleasant odours can trigger instinctive reactions like disgust or avoidance, which are part of our natural defense mechanisms to protect us from harmful substances or environments.