Analytical Expertise and Custom Chemical Analysis

BJL Laboratoires supports industrial businesses, laboratories, consultancies, quality departments and R&D teams in addressing specific analytical challenges.

Not every enquiry fits a standard test. Whether you need to investigate a particular substance, unexplained contamination, an unknown particle or deposit, a non-conforming result, differences between samples, method development or subcontract testing, BJL Laboratoires assesses the analytical strategy best suited to the matrix and your objective.

Samples suitable for transport can be sent to the laboratory from anywhere in France.

Our Analytical Expertise Services

BJL Laboratoires can assist at different stages of an analytical investigation: defining requirements, selecting techniques, developing methods, characterising particles, carrying out testing and interpreting results.

Custom Chemical Analysis

Do you need to detect or quantify a substance that is not covered by a standard testing catalogue?

BJL Laboratoires assesses requests for custom chemical analysis based on:

• the target substance;
• the matrix;
• the expected concentration;
• the required limit of quantification;
• the number of samples;
• the purpose of the study.

Custom Chemical Analysis

Analytical Method Development and Adaptation

When an existing method is not directly applicable to a particular matrix or compound, an analytical development phase may be necessary.

This work may address:

• sample preparation;
• extraction;
• chromatographic separation;
• instrumental conditions;
• calibration ranges;
• internal standards;
• matrix effects;
• quality control;
• limits of detection and quantification;
• evaluation of method performance.

Analytical Method Development

Analytical Investigation of Non-Conformities

An unexpected result, contamination, a foreign particle or a difference between batches may require a broader investigation than simply repeating a test.

BJL Laboratoires can help develop an investigation plan involving:

• analysis of the non-conforming sample;
• comparison with a conforming control sample;
• comparison of different batches;
• raw material analysis;
• analysis of process water or solutions;
• targeted testing for contaminants;
• particle identification and characterisation;
• investigation of several process stages.

Non-Conformity Investigation

Particle Identification and Characterisation

When an issue involves a particle, dust, deposit, fibre or inclusion, bulk sample analysis does not always provide sufficient information.

BJL Laboratoires can use transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with EDX microanalysis to examine individual particles and investigate their elemental composition.

This approach may be applied to particles:

• collected from air;
• present in dust;
• found within or on materials;
• present in deposits or residues;
• associated with industrial contamination;
• suspected to originate from equipment or raw materials.

Particle Identification by TEM-EDX

Our Main Analytical Techniques

The choice of technique depends on the substance or particle being investigated, the matrix and the information required.

Which Technique Is Suitable for Your Analysis?

You do not always need to know which analytical technique to use before contacting the laboratory.

Unknown Particles: What Can TEM-EDX Reveal?

When contamination occurs in particulate form, TEM-EDX provides two complementary types of information.

Morphology under the Electron Microscope

Observation can reveal:

• shape;
• dimensions;
• particle appearance;
• whether particles are fibrous or non-fibrous;
• the presence of different particle populations.

Elemental Composition by EDX

EDX microanalysis provides information about the elements present in the area or particle being analysed.

Combining this information with the industrial context can help identify similarities with:

• a raw material;
• a material used in equipment;
• dust present on site;
• wear debris;
• external contamination;
• another reference sample.

EDX primarily provides information about elemental composition. On its own, it cannot always establish the exact chemical or mineralogical structure with certainty.

Learn more about particle identification by TEM-EDX

How Does a Bespoke Analytical Study Work?

1. Understand the Problem

The first step is to establish:

• the nature of the sample;
• the problem encountered;
• any suspected substances or materials;
• whether particles, dust or deposits are present;
• the expected concentrations, where known;
• the information already available;
• the overall objective of the analysis.

2. Assess Feasibility

BJL Laboratoires then checks whether the available resources can meet the requirements and determines an appropriate analytical strategy.

3. Define the Analytical Programme

Depending on the situation, the programme may include:

• targeted analysis;
• particle characterisation by TEM-EDX;
• several complementary techniques;
• control samples;
• blanks;
• reference samples;
• batch comparison;
• a method development phase.

4. Carry Out the Analyses

Testing is performed according to the agreed programme, with the quality controls associated with the relevant method.

5. Use the Results

Depending on the assignment, the results may be used to:

• assess conformity;
• compare samples;
• identify a deviation;
• characterise particulate contamination;
• guide the investigation of a contamination source;
• optimise a method;
• monitor a process.

Contamination Investigation and Sample Comparison

When contamination is suspected, analysing more than one sample is often useful.

For example, a study may compare:

• a conforming product and a non-conforming product;
• two production batches;
• different raw materials;
• materials from several suppliers;
• water entering and leaving a process;
• several stages of an industrial process;
• a cleaning solution and the affected product;
• an unknown particle and a suspected source;
• workshop dust and a particle found on a product.

This comparative approach can reveal differences or similarities that help guide the investigation.

Analytical investigation of non-conformities

Analysis for R&D and Quality Control

BJL Laboratoires can also support research and development, production and quality control teams.

Enquiries may involve:

• developing a new testing method;
• comparing formulations;
• characterising raw materials;
• testing for impurities or contaminants;
• identifying particulate contamination;
• comparing suppliers;
• investigating process deviations;
• monitoring treatment performance;
• establishing routine analytical testing.

Subcontract Analytical Services for Laboratories

BJL Laboratoires also considers requests from other laboratories requiring additional analytical capacity.

Subcontracting may involve:

• a one-off analysis;
• a series of samples;
• LC-MS/MS analysis;
• GC-MS analysis;
• ICP-OES / ICP-AES analysis;
• particle characterisation by TEM-EDX;
• temporary additional capacity;
• development or transfer of a specific method.

Analytical Consultancy and Method Selection

The choice of analysis should not be based solely on the name of an instrument.

A single problem can sometimes be investigated using several approaches. The most suitable technique depends on:

• the chemical nature of the analyte;
• whether particles are present;
• the concentration;
• the matrix;
• the available sample quantity;
• potential interferences;
• the required level of certainty;
• the study’s timescale and budget.

BJL Laboratoires can therefore assist before testing begins to define the most appropriate testing plan.

Environmental Testing and Chemical Expertise

BJL’s analytical expertise also draws on its longstanding environmental testing activities.

The laboratory provides:

• asbestos testing;
• lead testing;
• PAH testing;
• PFAS testing;
• soil testing and the Pack ISDI testing package;
• water and effluent testing;
• specific elemental and chemical analyses;
• particle identification and characterisation by TEM-EDX.

Accreditation and Bespoke Services

BJL Laboratoires is a Cofrac-accredited laboratory.

However, accreditation covers specific combinations of matrices, parameters and methods.

Method development, custom analysis, a specific investigation or particle characterisation may therefore be performed within or outside the scope of accreditation, depending on the exact nature of the request.

The accreditation status of the service is specified during the assessment of the enquiry where relevant.

Analytical Expertise Across France

BJL Laboratoires is based in Sèvres, in the Hauts-de-Seine department, near Paris.

For services involving samples suitable for shipment, samples can be sent from anywhere in France.

Before sending an unusual sample, dust, a deposit or a sampling medium containing particles, please contact the laboratory to confirm:

• analytical feasibility;
• the required quantity;
• the appropriate sampling medium or packaging;
• storage and preservation conditions;
• the supporting information to include.

Frequently Asked Questions about Analytical Expertise

Related Services