Microplastics Testing & Analysis Laboratories
Microplastics analysis attempts to determine how many polymer particles a sample contains, what polymers they are, and what size and shape they have — usually by isolating particles from the matrix and then identifying them by vibrational spectroscopy or thermal analysis.
Method & standards pathways
These grouped guides separate method families, buyer inputs and scope boundaries so requests carry the right designation, edition context and configuration. No universal panel or code acceptance is implied.
- Microplastics in water: sampling, principles & spectroscopy: ISO 24187 frames analysis principles, ISO 5667-27 guides water sampling and ISO 16094-2 covers vibrational spectroscopy for water with low suspended solids. Parts 1, 3 and 4 of ISO 16094 remain drafts and are not final methods.
Sample considerations
- Define the size range you need before sampling — results are only meaningful against a stated lower size limit, and smaller fractions require different techniques.
- Say whether you need particle counts, polymer identification, or both; they are different amounts of laboratory work.
- Airborne and laboratory-borne plastic fibres contaminate microplastics work, so procedural blanks are essential and should appear in the report.
- Sample volumes are often large for water and small for solids; confirm both with the laboratory before collection.
- Avoid plastic sampling containers and equipment where the laboratory advises glass or metal alternatives.
Laboratories with relevant capabilities
- MAEON Laboratories (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) — Rubber Testing, Plastics Testing, Polymer Testing
- Japan Polymer Analytical and Research Laboratory India (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) — Polymer Testing, Rubber Testing, Chemical Analysis
- Kiyo R&D Center and Laboratory (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) — Polymer Testing, Plastics Testing, Thermal Analysis
- Impact Solutions (Livingston, Scotland) — Plastics Testing, Polymer Testing, Materials Testing
- Attuned Polymers (Mumbai, Maharashtra) — Rubber Testing, Plastics Testing, Polymer Testing
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a single standard method for microplastics?
- No. Approaches differ by matrix, target size range and whether counts or mass are required, and standardisation is still developing. Two laboratories using different but defensible approaches can report different numbers for the same water, which is why the method and size range should be stated with every result.
- Do I need to know the method before requesting testing?
- No. Describe the sample, the material you suspect, and the decision the data supports. The laboratory selects the isolation and identification approach.
- What size particles can be identified?
- It depends on the technique. FTIR microscopy is generally applied to larger particles than Raman microscopy, and particles below the micrometre range are treated as nanoplastics and require separate approaches.
- Can a laboratory tell me where the particles came from?
- It can identify the polymer and describe morphology, which often narrows the likely source. Attributing particles to a specific source usually needs reference samples from the candidate sources for comparison.
Related testing briefs
Confirm standard edition, jurisdiction and actual laboratory scope. Service references are not partnerships or endorsements.