We are one of the few laboratories with the necessary knowledge and equipment for the analysis of microplastics in the environment and food. Our experts team participate in improving the status of microplastic research.
The most common types of plastic are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Everyone knows these shortcuts, because they appear everywhere and the products made from them accompany us in our existence: at home, on the way to work and during the shopping.
Unfortunately, plastic returns back to the environment - as used tires or thoughtlessly thrown garbage. Therefore, plastic is becoming an increasingly serious problem for humans and nature.
In the environment, ocean and rivers, under the influence of UV rays and waves plastic disintegrate to form microplastics, that means a particles of plastics in size from one micrometer to five millimeters.
The impact of microplastics on fauna and flora is largely unexplored. What is known that it can get into the food chain and in consumer products - such as food - microplastic appears as foreign bodies, for example due to abrasion of packaging material.
Modern research shows that microplastic is more and more often found in food such as sea salt and fish. It is influenced by the tons of plastic waste absorbed by the ocean every year. We can also find microplastic in drinking water selling in plastic bottles, which we are happy to drink.
These are the reasons why food manufacturers, distributors and retailers are increasingly testing their products for microplastic content. It is important for them to maintain high quality standards. We support the food industry and beverage producers in controlling the quality of their products by consulting and laboratory analysis.
WESSLING laboratories conducts research projects about microplastic and has a department specialized in microplastic analysis in the environment and food. We are one of the few laboratories with the necessary knowledge and technical facilities for microplastic analysis. Particles with diameter 1-5 mm can be only detected with very sensitive methods.
Please contact us if you have any questions or you want to submit an inquiry.