In the field of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) a better understanding of the origin of VOC emissions is investigated by assaying building materials such as carpets or floor coverings, paints, detergents, toys, materials for automotive interiors, etc.  Specific sampling as well as chemical and sensory analysis equipments are used to characterize emissions (chemical analysis and sensorial analysis). 

> Documentation « Chemical analysis» (PDF 247 ko)
> Documentation « Sensorial analysis» (PDF 260 ko) 

Research is focused on the reduction of exposure related to different sources of pollutants by providing compound-specific data on various organic sources, developing data useful to manufacturers and builders to assess potential product emissions and finally proposing new materials presenting a reduced rate of emissions (formulations or process modifications, new non-volatile additives, etc).

Building products

There is an increasing demand, backed by standards and voluntary testing schemes, to reduce VOC emissions from indoor sources.  Indeed, chemicals emitted can have adverse effects on health and comfort, including eye and airway irritation, headaches and tiredness.

Certech works in partnership with manufacturers, suppliers and end-users in order to achieve materials emission levels that are acceptable in indoor environments.

Services include:

• Product emissions testing (gaseous emissions and odours) of building components, materials, paints, office equipments, furniture, consumer products.
• Simulation of real conditions, testing under controlled conditions (test chamber, FLEC)
• Assessment of chemical hazards on human health
• Selection of low-emitting, low-odour products suitable for indoor environments.

Certech contributes also to the development of international standards and has been chosen as the Belgian expert by the European Commission concerning the harmonisation of indoor material emission labelling systems in the EU (Workgroup of European experts). As a consequence, Certech could provide first hand guidance on eco-labelling trends.

Transport products

Improvements in passenger compartment comfort and well-being represent key requirements for the transportation industry.  In this context, air quality is an important parameter.  Comprehensive and reliable investigations on the organic compounds released in indoor air of transport media and their origin have thus been performed.

In the automobile industry, standardised tests and devices have been developed for assessing the emission behaviour of polymer materials and components as well as supporting vehicle manufacturers and supplier companies in reducing the level of emissions, odours and fogging.  Depending on the type of emissions and the automotive parts (materials, parts or vehicle) to be tested, specific standards or tests can be used.  The selection of materials can be done with respect to limit values fixed by automotive OEMs regarding the emissions.

Services include

• Product emissions testing (VOC, FOG, odours) according to required standards and regulations, or company-specific requirements.
• Individual development or adaptation of methods
• Support to raw materials producers and car parts manufacturers to qualify scientifically their products.
  

Packaging products

In this field, Certech research is focusing on the interactions between packaging material and its content.  Main types of interactions that can occur between the packaging material and its content are described as subtraction, reaction, addition, migration or permeation.  In plastic packaging, the substances of interest are mostly low-molecular products such as residual monomers, initiators, catalysts and co-catalysts, inhibitors, emulsifiers, stabilisers, plasticisers, dyes and pigments,… Migration of such substances can adversely affect the content (colour stability, creation of off-flavours, diminution of shelf-life, …) and thus results in lower consumer acceptance.

Certech is able to understand interactions, migrations and organoleptic contaminations between packaging materials and their contents.  The main fields of interest relate to the food (including water supply), personal care and drug industries.

Services include:

• Investigation of the origin and formation of off-odours and off-flavours by correlating sensory and chemical studies.  This includes quantification of residual solvents, monomers or specific compounds such as for ex acetaldehyde in mineral water; identification of volatile substances or potential degradation products in materials and testing of packaging materials with respect to their sensory impact.  The impact of manufacturing and processing conditions, different after-treatments (coating, irradiation,¡K), improper or prolonged storage, handling, transportation and end-use interactions are also investigated.
• Research into the permeation properties of food packaging materials: sensory evaluation of the permeation of organic vapours and aroma substances through packaging materials
• Determination of heavy metals in packaging materials
• Development of low odour products and materials with modified permeation properties.

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Certech is quite active on the international scientific and technical arena.  The need for a better communication between the different private and public partners working in this field is obvious, particularly with respect to discussing needs for further research, disseminating information, promoting activities, ¡KWith the participation of leading industry professionals, standards & regulatory experts, R&D scientists, material specialists, industry analysts and market players, Certech organises each year an international conference on emissions and odours form materials. It offers an ideal platform for facts sharing and integration of new knowledge among participants and speakers.  Key topics are ƒnƒnStandards and regulatory issues, comfort and impact on health, state of the art for measurements and evaluations, remediation and recent developments (new requirements, latest trends, new products).

Certech is also offering technology watch: 

Certech is authorized by the Walloon Region to operate sampling, analysis, research and development in the field of air quality and has been selected as the Belgian expert by the "Institut Belge de Normalisation" (NBN) concerning the development of the European standard EN 13725 (dynamic olfactometry) and ISO 16000 (Indoor air).  He is the Belgian expert for the working groups :
-ISO/TC 146/SC 6/WG 3 “Determination of VOCs in indoor air”
-ISO/TC146/SC6/WG14 "Sensory testing”
-CEN/TC 264/WG 26 “Emissions into indoor air”
-CEN/TC 351/WG 2  “Emissions from constructions products into indoor air”