A tool for supporting the development of strategies for reducing the climate impact and increasing material recovery.  

Sorting analysis is a strategic approach used to assess the quality of waste streams by examining the composition of various waste fractions such as combustible waste, plastic, wood, and paper. The data gathered through this process enables to:

• evaluate the efficiency of source sorting and its potential for material recycling
• determine the quality of source sorted waste fractions
• explore the potential in post-sorting plants
• identify opportunities for improvement in post-sorting facilities
• explore the potential for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)
• assess the feasibility of implementing differentiated gate fees for incineration

We can help you with:

• Tailor-made sorting protocols based on your needs.
• Planning and coordination of sorting analyses of different waste streams.
• Extended sorting analyses in specific fractions i.e. plastic waste. 
• Residual household waste, source sorted fractions for material recycling i.e. plastic packaging, commercial and industrial waste, construction and demolition waste or bulky waste from households or recycling centres are among the waste streams we can help you with. 

We also offer a range of services connected to the outputs from the waste sorting analyses:

• Analyses of parameters such as fossil/biogenic carbon content, fuel quality; hazardous substances (i.e. PFAs) and trace element analyses
• Estimation of CO₂ emissions from incineration of waste streams. 
• Identification and quantification of polymer types

Technical economical assessment 

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Depends on the scope of the project. 

The client is responsible for taken representative samples. RISE can guide in this process. 

The need to be able to identify fibres is increasing as textile recycling advances. RISE can offer a selection of different fibre analysis methods for both new and recycled synthetic and natural fibre types. 

Being able to identify fibres can be crucial for subsequent processes. RISE provides both quantitative and qualitative methods for textile fibre identification.

RISE offers: 

• Chemical Analysis: We use specific solvents to dissolve certain fibres, allowing for precise determination of the remaining fibre types.
• Microscopic Analysis: Through microscopy, we identify and quantify the fibre content in textile samples. Dyeing before microscopy can be used to distinguish certain types of cellulose.
   

Normal delivery time is 10-15 working days.

SS-EN ISO 1833 Textiles - Binary fibre mixtures - Quantitative chemical analysis

ISO 21915-2 Textiles - Qualitative and quantitative analysis of some cellulose fibres (lyocell, cupro) and their blends - Part 2: Blend quantification using light microscopy method

SS-EN ISO 20705 Textiles - Quantitative microscopical analysis - General principles of testing

ISO/TR 11827 Textiles - Composition testing - Identification of fibres 

ISO 137 Wool - Determination of fibre diameter - Projection microscope method

SS-EN ISO 1973 Textile fibres - Determination of linear density - Gravimetric method and vibroscope method

SS-EN ISO 5079 Textile fibres - Determination of breaking force and elongation at break of individual fibres 

SS-ISO 6989 Textile fibres - Determination of length and length distribution of staple fibres (by measurement of single fibres)

When transitioning to PFAS-free extinguishing agents, there is a risk that the new, fluorine-free extinguishing agent becomes contaminated due to PFAS remaining in the system. It is therefore important to clean the system before refilling and to ensure adequate cleaning.

The transition to fluorine-free (PFAS-free) extinguishing agents is underway in society. In many cases, simply replacing the firefighting foam concentrate is not sufficient; there is a risk that PFAS remaining in the system will contaminate the new extinguishing agent, perpetuating the spread of PFAS. Before refilling with new extinguishing agent, it is important to conduct thorough cleaning and ensure that it successfully removes PFAS from surfaces. Research conducted shows that despite repeated flushing, PFAS continues to persist in the system.

RISE has the expertise to provide support for cleaning PFAS-contaminated equipment. In a recently completed research project, we have gained knowledge about cleaning methods. RISE also possesses knowledge about current and upcoming regulatory requirements. We have the capability to provide recommendations for analyses to ensure adequate cleaning and to conduct these PFAS analyses.

Delivery according to request and agreement.

To pave the way for optimizing battery recycling processes, a proper analysis of ‘black mass’ and spent battery components before and after recycling is very important. 

‘Black mass’ is the industry term used to describe the product obtained from crushing and shredding spent Li-ion batteries. It comprises a mixture of elements, including graphite, lithium, manganese, nickel, cobalt, electrolyte, separator, impurities, etc. 

A comprehensive analysis protocol is essential for evaluating the black mass derived from various battery chemistries. This protocol should encompass all necessary property assessments before and after the recycling process. By identifying potential hazards and mitigating associated risks, the protocol ensures safe and efficient recycling operations.

Explore our Characterization 

• Metals and impurities: The determination of compositions in ‘black mass’ and related materials  can be effectively carried out using techniques such Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry ICP-OES, Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry ICP-MS, X-ray fluorescence XRF.
• Level of moisture: The level of  moisture in the ‘black mass’ is determined using titration.
• HF-content: The content of HF can be determined using titration.
• PF6-content: The content of PF6 can be determined using Ion Chromatography, IC.
• Morphological analysis and particle size determination:  The morphological characteristics, grain size, and composition can be determined using Scanning Electron microscopy SEM+EDS
• Electrolyte analysis using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry GC-MS:

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is an analytical technique that is highly effective for analyzing ‘black mass’ such as determining the composition of carbonates. For example ethylene carbonate, propylene  carbonate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate etc. 

Report and results

Our services for binder chemistry are consulting meetings, identification of new materials, reactivity tests, validation of SCM, regulation & standardization, the potential of new SCM, and characterization of alternative binders.

Presently, Portland cement is the most important material used in concrete, and in enormous quantities, more than 4 billion tons globally. It is also a significant contributor to the total anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, standing at 8% nowadays. There is a large interest in finding new sources for potential materials that can be used in two different ways: binders and alternative binders. 

For the cement industry, a binder is an ordinary Portland cement (OPC) based material where a part of cement is substituted by supplementary cementitious materials (SCM). An SCM can be a natural material such as clay or a by-product from other industries such as fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag. The substitution of cement by SCM can be between 5 and 65%. The replacement by SCM leads to a reduction of the CO₂ emission link to cement production as less OPC is used.

An alternative binder is a material that has similar properties that ordinary Portland cement (OPC) but does not contain any OPC. They are becoming increasingly important for the transition to climate climate-neutral construction industry. There is a need to develop new alternative binders with low CO₂ -footprint.

RISE has expertise in the entire binder value chain starting from chemical analyses to large-scale structural implementation. 

If you are interested in the development, testing, and evaluation of any potential material that can be used as an SCM or alternative binder, RISE can offer a consulting discussion before any testing starts. The services we offer are listed below:

•  Consulting meeting 

• Talk to our experts at RISE if you think you have a resource that can be potentially used as supplementary cementitious materials SCM or alternative binder
• Our experienced experts will propose a plan of action by validating your ideas, understanding your perspective, and theoretically evaluating the actual potential

• Our general services include:

• Identification of new material sources for the production of SCM or alternative binders
• Testing the reactivity in cement
• Validation testing of SCMs in concrete applications
• Possibilities according to the regulation and standardization for the introduction of new materials in concrete in Sweden (link to a description)

• Testing properties of conventional SCMs (fly ash (FA), granulated ground furnace slag (GGBS)): While GGBFS and FA have been used for decades, their properties need to be tested for new sources, applications, markets, and conditions. Approach us for testing and analysis if you have:

• New sources of conventional SCMs
• New applications of conventional SCMs
• Introduce your SCMs in new markets

• Assessment of potential new SCMs (high-volume materials rich in Al₂O₃, SiO₂, Ca, Mg, Fe, etc.): Availability of conventional SCMs is decreasing as we move to greener sources of energy production (thereby reducing coal FA) and ferrous metal production (thereby reducing conventional GGBFS). There is a push to develop new SCMs, even if at additional cost of production and development.

• Approach us for testing and analysis if you have high-volume materials rich in Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CaO, MgO, Fe₂O₃, etc. Examples of such products are:
  • Calcined clay
  • Metallurgical industry wastes
  • Mining wastes
  • Incineration ashes
  • Paper/Pulp production wastes
  • Dredging sediments
• In addition to test reactivity, we develop activation methods for different selected materials to be used as SCM. Some materials cannot be used as it is. A pre-treatment such as calcination, grinding, washing, …  is necessary to enhance the properties of the materials

• Characteriztion of alternative binders: RISE can provide materials characterization and property testing of alternative binders ie. calcium sulfoaluminate cement (CSA), Belite-Ye'elimite-Ferrite Cement, prehydrated calcium silicate cement, magnesium silicate cement, etc.

• Composition and particle size analysis by micro-XRF, XRD, and particle analyzer
• Heat of hydration by isothermal calorimetry
• Setting time and strength testing 
• Durability testing such as testing for shrinkage/expansion, resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, chloride ion penetration, and sulfate attack
• Compatibility testing with other binders, SCMs, and additives

Welcome to contact us if you want to know more about what RISE does in cement, SCM, and alternative binders. 

Consulting services and reports from testing

Extractives are low molecular weight compounds that can be extracted from wood. The substances protect the tree against rot, pests and other attacks but can cause problems in industrial processes.

Wood extractives are well-known to cause problems in the production process e.g. by formation of deposits on process equipment or foaming. The extractives may also give rise to spots in the pulp or paper, as well as negatively influence several paper properties. Isolated and modified wood extractives are also compounds with a very high added value in various fields as biochemicals (e.g., pharmaceuticals and cosmetics).

What can we do?

RISE has very long experience in analysis of wood extractives. We can offer a wide range of extraction and characterization techniques which, in combination, offer a detailed characterization of the extractives in various types of samples, for example:

• Extractive content (gravimetric) in all types of samples.  

• Chemical composition and quantification of Extractives in wood and bark, extractives in pulp and paper, tall oil in black liquor and Extractives in liquors and filtrates.  

• Characterization of deposits and spots.  

• Molecular weight distribution of extracts.  

Extracts are derivatized and analyzed by GC/MS: Typically, individual fatty acids, resin acids, sterols, fatty alcohols, hydroxy acids etc. are quantified.  

Molecular mass distribution: The molecular mass of an extract is determined by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), THF (tetrahydrofuran) or water-based systems. Detection with ultraviolet detector and/or refractive index detector and/or light scattering detector (MALS). 

Analysis with LC/MS: Water soluble compounds can be investigated and quantified by liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometer. 

Phenolic groups: Sum of phenolic groups are determined using the Folin-Cocialteau spectrophotometric method. 

Characterization of extracts with Pyrolysis-GC/MS: The results are given in the form of chromatograms (pyrograms) with identification of seen compounds e.g. lignin, carbohydrates, tannins, extractives etc. Semi quantitative analysis. Very small samples (about 1 mg) can be analysed. 

Results are compiled in an analysis report.

Molar mass and molar mass distribution is a fundamental property of lignin and an important characteristic for understanding and predicting polymer performance. We have equipment specialized for measuring molar mass distribution on lignin. 

Knowing the molar mass distribution (MMD) is important to, for example, follow how the lignin is affected by different modifications and processes and to understand in which application a certain type of lignin would fit.  

RISE has one THF-based SEC-system equipped with an RI and UV detector and one alkali-based SEC-system with three detectors, RI, UV and MALS (Multi-Angle Light Scattering), especially designed for lignin analysis.  

The lignin molecules are separated in a column based on their size. For the RI- and UV-detectors, the sample is compared to standards with known molecular weight, similar in structure to the lignin, to calculate the molecular weight of the sample. With the MALS-detector, light scattering is used to determine molecular weight, why calibration standards are not necessary. Hence, MALS gives the a direct estimation of the molecular weight. 

Results are compiled in an analysis report. 

The customer is responsible for the preparation and transport of the test items.