Verification of Supply Chain Certificate Validity and Scope Schedules
Verify certificate status against public scope schedules to ensure product group codes, grammages, and converting sites explicitly cover every delivered batch.
PFAS Combustion Ion Chromatography
Advanced Analytical
Advanced analytical testing methods measure the total organic fluorine content in barrier-coated paperboard to detect the presence of persistent chemicals. Using pyrolytic combustion followed by halide analysis, pfas combustion ion chromatography detects the chemical markers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used for oil and grease resistance. This measurement governs the environmental and food safety certification of paperboard plates, food wraps, and takeaway boxes, setting the legal limit for intentional chemical treatments.
It applies to all paper-based packaging substrates where greaseproof barriers are applied during converting.
Pyrolysis Sequence
Samples of the barrier-coated board are placed in a quartz furnace and heated to over one thousand degrees Celsius in an oxygen-rich atmosphere. This process vaporizes the sample, converting the organic fluorine compounds into hydrogen fluoride gas. The gas is then collected in an absorbing solution and injected into the ion chromatography column for separation and quantification.
This method measures total organic fluorine rather than individual molecules, providing a comprehensive screen for all fluorinated grease barriers. It prevents mills from using untested fluorinated alternatives to bypass regulations, ensuring that all greaseproof papers are free from persistent synthetic compounds before they are sent to the converting lines.
Regulatory Alignment
Retailers and fast-food chains use these test results to verify that their packaging suppliers are compliant with municipal bans on fluorinated compounds. By switching to certified non-fluorinated dispersion coatings, converters can avoid the risk of regulatory fines. This laboratory check has become the standard defense against chemical contamination in food packaging.