Labthink Knowledge

Residue on Ignition (ROI) testing is a critical analytical method used in the pharmaceutical, food, chemical, and advanced materials industries to determine inorganic impurities and product purity. Traditionally, this test has relied heavily on manual operations, making the process time-consuming, labor-intensive, and susceptible to operator variability. Leveraging more than 14 years of dedicated research and development, Labthink has introduced the C860 Integrated Residue on Ignition Testing System , a fully automated solution designed to streamline the entire testing workflow. From weighing and acid addition to ignition, cooling, reweighing, and constant-weight determination, the C860MH automates every critical step, significantly improving laboratory efficiency and data reliability. At the heart of the system is an intelligent robotic handling mechanism that automatically transfers crucibles between the analytical balance and the muffle furnace. This eliminates manual handling, red...

  When consumers purchase a bottle of water, a yogurt cup, or a ready-to-eat meal, they rarely think about the packaging itself. Yet behind every food package lies a critical question: Can substances from the packaging migrate into the food? This question sits at the heart of food contact material (FCM) regulations worldwide and has become increasingly important as packaging structures grow more sophisticated and regulatory requirements continue to evolve. Understanding Migration in Food Packaging Plastic food packaging is far more than a simple polymer. Modern packaging materials often contain a combination of: Monomers Additives Stabilizers Processing aids Plasticizers Antioxidants Colorants and coatings These substances are used to improve performance, durability, appearance, and processing efficiency. However, under certain conditions, some of these substances may transfer from the packaging into food. This phenomenon is known as migration . Migration does not automatically im...

The Labthink C370H Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is an advanced laboratory instrument designed to measure the water vapor permeability and barrier properties of various packaging materials used in pharmaceutical, food, medical device, and other packaging applications.. Key Features & Overview: Testing Methodology & Standards: Built upon the classic gravimetric method, it supports both the water method and desiccant method . It complies with major international standards, including ASTM E96, GB/T 1037, ISO 2528, and TAPPI T464. Versatile Applications: Designed primarily for testing high-barrier films, sheets, paper, non-wovens, and full packaging containers (such as bottles, pouches, tubes, and blister packs) used in the pharmaceutical, food, medical device, and chemical industries. High Precision & Efficiency:  Features a 45L test chamber with 6 standard test stations (expandable up to 9) that allow for independent sample testing and data generation. El...

  A common misconception in the food industry is that once a "Best Before" date is set, it is set in stone. However, food packaging and shelf life are dynamic variables. To ensure consumer safety and brand reputation, shelf life should be revalidated whenever there is a change in the supply chain, recipe, or packaging material, as well as on a routine schedule to account for production "drift." This guide will outline the critical triggers for immediate re-testing and the industry best practices for maintaining long-term shelf stability. What events trigger an immediate revalidation of food packaging and shelf life? You should not wait for an annual audit to re-evaluate your products if any of the following changes occur: Packaging Material Transitions: Switching suppliers or moving to eco-friendly/recyclable films is the most common trigger. These materials often have different density profiles; even a slight change in the thickness of a barrier layer alters the...

  When discussing food safety, most people focus on the food itself ： its ingredients, additives, and nutritional content. However, there is another critical factor that often goes unnoticed: the materials that come into contact with food. Food packaging, beverage containers, coatings, inks, adhesives, kitchen utensils, and processing equipment all fall under the category of Food Contact Materials (FCMs). Although these materials are not intended to be consumed, they can interact with food during storage, transportation, and use. This is why food contact materials are subject to rigorous regulatory oversight, particularly in the European Union. What Are Food Contact Materials? Food Contact Materials include any material or article intended to come into contact with food, or that may reasonably be expected to transfer substances into food under normal conditions of use. Examples include: Plastic packaging Paper and board packaging Beverage bottles Printing inks Coatings and varnishe...

When dangerous gases migrate through packaging materials, the consequences can range from product spoilage to catastrophic safety failures. For industries handling volatile chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or perishable goods, controlling hazardous gas transmission is not a secondary concern—it is a foundation of risk management. Safety-critical packaging must act as an impenetrable barrier, and verifying that performance requires rigorous, repeatable testing. The Hidden Risk: Gas Permeation in Protective Barriers Many packaging failures begin invisibly. Microscale pores or material inconsistencies allow hazardous gases—such as hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide, or toxic industrial vapors—to seep through seals, films, or laminates. Over time, even minimal permeation can diminish the packaging designed purpose, or create explosive environments. This is where a gas permeability test becomes indispensable. Unlike simple leak detection, a gas permeability test quantifies the steady-s...