We offer both qualitative and quantitative analysis of microfibres from textile sources, both synthetic (microplastic) and natural.

Microplastics, particularly in the form of fibres, have become a persistent environmental concern. These minute threads, originating from synthetic textiles such as polyester and nylon, are often invisible to the naked eye. They have infiltrated our oceans, soils, and even the air we breathe, posing a significant threat to ecosystems and human health.

To tackle the microplastic issue, RISE has partnered up with various startups, washing machine manufacturers, and governmental bodies. 

We utilize established techniques for measuring fibre release and develop new methodologies tailored to specific purposes.

By assessing your production processes, we can propose measures to minimize environmental effects while preserving product quality.

• Analysis of microplastic release during lab-scale washing according to SS-EN ISO 4484-1:2023
• Analysis of microplastic release during household washing machine cycles (In-house method)
• Testing and development of various filter solutions for washing machines
• Comparative studies of washing programs, filter solutions, or washing machines
• Gravimetric and/or microscopic analysis as per your requirements

Written report in Swedish or English with obtained results.

SS-EN ISO 4484-1:2023

In-house methods

OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 201 M-47 & ML-47– Glitter fastness

Resource mapping is a process aimed at identifying and analyzing the materials and resources present in existing buildings, before renovation or demolition. It is important to use these resources efficiently and sustainably, which can help reduce environmental impact and promote a circular economy.

In resource mapping, the focus is often on the parts of the building with the longest estimated lifespan and large volume components. By taking good care of these resources, significant CO2 savings can be made. This aligns with the resource hierarchy for the construction and civil engineering sector and taxonomy. To determine whether a material or product is interesting to preserve, reuse, or recycle, RISE assesses several aspects:

• Environmental and health aspects
• Possibility for disassembly
• Economic potential
• Potential for climate savings
• Quantity, properties, and homogeneity of the material group
• Condition and state
• Quality assurance, and testing

When conducting a resource mapping, we follow a process with activities that together provide a good overview of the building and the potential for reuse or recycling of its building products. The methodology is based on the process steps: preliminary work, material inventory, quality assurance, data analysis, and report, as shown in the figure above.

To assess whether the products or materials should be reused or recycled, an environmental and economic evaluation is carried out in terms of CO2 per m² and SEK per ton.

• A life cycle analysis (LCA) is used to assess a product's or service's environmental impact throughout its life cycle. This includes calculating global warming potential (GWP), expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). Data from databases are used to calculate stored CO2. 
• Based on the quantities, the economic value of the building's materials and components is calculated. This helps to understand the economic potential in addition to the environmental benefits that can be achieved through the reuse or recycling of materials.

Report as agreed, with the following suggested content:

• Compilation of preliminary work describing the building's structure and history
• Results from material inventory and environmental and health sampling, corresponding to reuse inventory and meeting requirements according to the PBL control plan
• Compilation of the building's materials:
  • Stored CO2: The amount of carbon dioxide bound in the material, stated in kg CO2 equivalents per square meter.
  • Economy: The economic value of the material, stated in SEK/ton.
  • Resources: The amount of material, stated in tons.
• Quality assessment of materials, including test results

according to agrement

In addition to RISE paper testing according to ISO 9706 and ISO 11108, where the paper is used for archival documents, there is ISO 20494, which offers paper stability for general graphic applications such as newspapers, brochures etc. Such paper is not intended for archives; instead, it should maintain its durability during normal use and storage.

Paper that meets the requirements of ISO 20494 shows stability for general graphic applications. Examples of possible end products with this paper include newspapers, brochures, catalogs, books, office prints, etc.

The ISO 20494 standard is based on providing a paper where mechanical fibers and/or recycled fibers can be used in paper products, thereby reducing production costs while promoting sustainability and contributing to a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

pH - Cold Water Extract 

Acidic paper deteriorates quickly, so pH is an important parameter to measure in paper. Electrolytes are extracted from the paper in a water solution, and the pH value is then measured on this cold water extract.

Alkali Reserve 

The formation of acids from air pollution in the surrounding air or natural ageing is harmful to the paper. Therefore, such paper usually contains some alkaline filler (e.g., calcium carbonate) to prevent acid attacks and neutralize the harmful acids, i.e., the paper has an alkali reserve. The alkali reserve can be measured through a titration process.

Tear Strength 

Tear strength is a measure of the paper’s mechanical strength and indicates the force (mN) required to tear a piece of paper. Preserving tear strength after ageing is a measure of the paper’s ability to remain durable in the future.

Requirements according to ISO 20494

• Tear Strength: The tear strength has a minimum value based on the paper’s surface weight.
• Preservation of Tear Strength: The tear strength must not decrease by more than 80% after 12 days of aging at 80°C and 65% RH.
• pH Cold Extract: Between 7.5 - 10.0.
• Alkali Reserve: At least 0.8 mol of acid per kg.

Accreditation 

The testing for paper stability maintain high quality through accreditation according to SS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018.

Testing report from an accredited laboratory.

Contact RISE for price information. Please find the contact information below.

ISO 20494 Paper — Requirements for stability for general graphic applications

ISO 1974, Paper — Determination of tearing resistance — Elmendorf method

ISO 5630-3, Paper and board — Accelerated ageing — Part 3: Moist heat treatment at 80 degrees C and 65 % relative humidity

ISO 6588-1, Paper, board and pulps — Determination of pH of aqueous extracts — Part 1: Cold extraction

ISO 10716, Paper and board — Determination of alkali reserve

Since April 2024, under Swedish law, new requirements apply to products that come into contact with drinking water. Construction products used in drinking water installations must not compromise human health, affect water quality or enhance microbial growth.

A type approval describes how the essential property requirements under the Planning and Building Act and Boverket’ building regulations (the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning) are met.

With a type approval, you as a manufacturer get another 5 years to comply  with the very extensive requirements of the Drinking Water Directive, which also imposes a major limitation in the materials that may be used.

For more information on how the type approval can be used during the transition period, see the document Transitional rules for type approval of products in contact with drinking water. 

Type approval of products in contact with drinking water is conducted according to RISE certification rule CR068. 

The certification rule includes hygiene requirements for products in contact with drinking water that are intended for use in installations for the abstraction, treatment, storage or distribution of drinking water. Current rules specify that materials assessed based on the 4 MSI approach fulfil the requirements for type approval. Also assessment against Commission Delegated Regulation 2024/370 or reports from tests under Commission Implementing Decision 2024/368 fulfil the requirements for type approval.

We issue a type approval that demonstrates how the product fulfils the technical property requirements under the Planning and Building Act and the new requirements for products in contact with drinking water under the Planning and Building Ordinance.

Teknisk dokumentation enligt CR068

CR068

Cytotoxicity testing is a crucial part of the biological evaluation of medical devices and is a necessary step to meet the requirements of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). RISE conducts cytotoxicity testing according to ISO 10993-5 and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 or GLP (Good Laboratory Practice).

By conducting cytotoxicity testing, you ensure that your medical device meets the necessary regulatory requirements under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and international standards such as ISO 10993-5.

The test is crucial for guaranteeing patient safety, ensuring that your product does not have harmful effects on cells when it comes into contact with the body. Additionally, cytotoxicity testing helps minimize risks by identifying and eliminating potentially harmful effects at the cellular level early in the product development process, protecting your company from costly recalls and legal issues.

We conduct cytotoxicity testing according to ISO 10993–5 Annex C, the MTT test. This method is used to measure cell viability, i.e., the ability of cells to survive and function normally after exposure to extracts from a test material.

The MTT test is based on the principle that metabolically active cells can convert MTT, a yellow tetrazolium salt, into a blue-purple formazan crystal. The amount of formazan formed is proportional to the number of viable cells, providing a measure of the material’s cytotoxicity.

If the viability of the extract is reduced to <70% of the blank sample, the test is considered to have cytotoxic potential according to the standard.

We follow GLP

We are accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 and follow GLP (Good Laboratory Practice), ensuring that cytotoxicity tests are conducted in a scientifically valid and regulatory-compliant manner.

After completing the MTT test according to ISO 10993-5, you will receive a detailed test report in English. The report includes quantitative data showing cell viability after exposure to the test material.

ISO 10993–5

ISO/IEC 17025

It is important that the textiles on the market are free from hazardous and regulated substances. Chemical analysis is a way to gain control over the chemical content of products.

Melamine is used to make melamine polymers, but is also found in some textile and leather tanning processes. A major area of application, where melamine can be found in free form in higher concentrations, is as a flame retardant in foamed materials, such as polyurethane foam, and in varnishes, paints, adhesives and resins for impregnating paper. 
Melamine is persistent, suspected carcinogenic, and can cause organ damage. The substance is listed on ECHA's Candidate List, which means a duty to provide information in the supply chain, as well as reporting to the SCIP database if the content exceeds 0.1% by weight in the material.
We help you interpret legal requirements that exist in, for example, REACH and POPs and suggest which analyses need to be done.
 

OEKO-TEX analysis method.

The method is applicable to all types of textiles (fibers, yarns, fabrics, foam, etc.) and to leather materials.

Written report in Swedish or English with obtained results.

Normal delivery time is 10 working days after ordering and receiving materials.

We offer advanced oxygen analysis services and analyze samples from both solid and liquid materials.

Oxygen analysis plays a critical role in several industrial and scientific fields. It is used to assess chemical reactivity, ensure quality in production, monitor environmental impact, and optimize fuel efficiency. By understanding and controlling the oxygen content of various materials, companies can improve their processes and products.

Sample amount: 1–20 mg, depending on the properties of the substance.
Samples are weighed into silver boats (silver capsules are used for liquid samples).
The sample is placed in a quartz glass pyrolysis tube via an autosampler.
Oxygen radicals are quantitatively converted to carbon monoxide through the Boudouard equilibrium using carbon black.

Report in Swedish or English

Depends on the level of complexity of the sample.

Price upon request for quotation.

Hazardous materials must be properly labeled on the packaging with UN numbers and pictograms.

SS-EN 17351:2020 SVENSK STANDARD Språk: engelska / English Utgåva: 1 Biobaserade produkter – Bestämning av syrehalten med hjälp av en elementanalysator