Safeguard Your Products: Comprehensive Raw Material Testing
At Cambridge Polymer Group (CPG), we understand the critical role raw materials play in the success of your final product. Even minor changes to raw materials or their production methods can have a domino effect, impacting performance, safety, and even regulatory compliance.
Our state-of-the-art analytical lab and team of PhD-level scientists offer a comprehensive suite of raw material testing services designed to:
- Ensure consistent product performance
- Verify supplier-provided Certificates of Analysis (CoA)
- Qualify new or existing suppliers
- Identify root causes of product performance changes
- Validate detailed composition
Raw Material Specifications
Establishing robust specifications for raw materials is critical for product quality and consistency. These specifications outline the precise physical and chemical characteristics and quality standards that raw materials must meet to guarantee optimal performance of the finished product. Storage and shelf-life requirements are essential components of these specifications to ensure that materials are stored under optimal conditions to maintain their quality. The effects of temperature, humidity, light exposure, and handling procedures must be considered. By defining clear storage and shelf-life parameters, manufacturers can prevent degradation, contamination, and loss of effectiveness, ultimately safeguarding the integrity of their final products.
CoA Verification
In the simplest form, raw materials testing may include confirming the accuracy of the values on the CoA. However, we can also assist in determining the most appropriate methods for characterizing the raw material. For example, the method used by a manufacturer for determining purity (e.g. >99% (GC)) may implicitly ignore some critical potential impurities, such as chemical isomers, water content, and non-volatile species. The “same” material from two vendors may behave very differently despite having the same nominal purity. Our analytical chemists have expertise in evaluating previously reported test results and determining if a nominal material specification may be “blind” to material characteristics that may impact your process.
Beyond the CoA: Verification and Material Characterization
Many manufacturers rely solely on the CoA provided by their suppliers. However, these CoAs may not always capture the full picture. We can delve deeper, evaluating additional properties and components not included on the CoA that may affect product performance. This can include:
- Identifying and quantifying impurities
- Assessing molecular weight distribution
- Analyzing thermal, mechanical, morphological, or rheological properties
This comprehensive characterization allows you to understand how the raw material will truly behave in your specific application.
Supplier Qualification: Building Confidence in Your Supply Chain
Selecting the right supplier is critical. Our supplier qualification testing helps you:
- Evaluate potential new suppliers: Ensure materials meet your specifications and are equivalent to your existing materials before entering your production line.
- Monitor existing suppliers: Periodically assess material consistency to maintain product quality.
- Identify trends and potential issues: Early detection of supplier variability allows for proactive adjustments.
By vetting your suppliers with CPG’s thorough testing, you will build a reliable and consistent supply chain.
Root Cause Analysis: Troubleshooting Performance Changes
If you have noticed unexpected changes in your product’s performance, our root cause analysis services can help you get to the bottom of it. We analyze your raw materials alongside your production processes to identify the source of the issue. This allows you to:
- Quickly identify the problem: Pinpoint the specific raw material or process causing the performance deviation.
- Implement corrective actions: Quickly address the root cause and restore product quality.
- Prevent future issues: Develop strategies to ensure consistent performance moving forward.
Why Choose CPG for Your Raw Material Testing Needs?
- PhD-Level Expertise: Our team of scientists has extensive experience analyzing a wide range of raw materials.
- State-of-the-Art Instrumentation: We utilize cutting-edge equipment for accurate and reliable results.
- Customizable Testing: We tailor our testing program to your specific needs and applications.
- Transparent Communication: We provide detailed reports with clear interpretations and recommendations.
- Quality Compliance: Our lab is ISO 9001 certified and ISO 17025 accredited and can conduct testing under GLP protocols.
Ready to take control of your raw materials and ensure consistent product performance?
Contact Cambridge Polymer Group today to discuss your specific needs and request a quote. Let’s work together to safeguard your products.