Delivering the Data Behind
Circular Innovation
Specialist Analytical Testing for Recycled Plastics and Food Contact Applications
NextLab provides comprehensive analytical testing services to support the plastics recycling and packaging industries. Our specialist laboratory helps manufacturers, recyclers and technology developers assess material quality, support compliance evaluations and understand process performance through robust scientific testing.
Whether you’re developing food-contact recycled plastics, validating a recycling process or characterising recyclate quality, our experienced team delivers reliable data and expert interpretation to support your objectives.
Plastics Extractables and Leachables
Understanding the chemical composition of recycled plastics is essential for demonstrating safety and regulatory compliance. NextLab offers comprehensive extractables and leachables studies to identify and quantify substances that may migrate from plastic materials.
- Understanding the chemical composition of recycled plastics is essential for demonstrating safety and regulatory compliance.
- NextLab offers comprehensive extractables and leachables studies to identify and quantify substances that may migrate from plastic materials.
- Our testing supports product development, risk assessment and compliance with UK, EU and international regulations.
Non-Intentionally Added Substance (NIAS) Screening
NextLab uses advanced Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to screen recycled plastics for a broad range of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). We can perform both targeted analysis – where a specific substance is known – and non-targeted screening to identify unknown compounds.
- This testing is a fundamental requirement when validating Novel Recycling Technologies under Regulation (EU) 2022/1616.
- Substances commonly analysed include: Acetaldehyde, Benzene, Limonene, Phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA).
- Our experts can also assist with the identification and quantification of additional compounds as required.
Food Contact Plastics Migration Testing
Migration testing is essential for demonstrating the safety of food contact materials and articles. NextLab carries out migration testing across a wide range of food types and contact conditions to assess compliance with legislative boundaries.
- Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
- US FDA food contact requirements compliance mapping.
- Our testing helps manufacturers and recyclers verify that packaging materials meet the necessary legislative requirements before entering the market.
Mechanical and Physical Property Testing
We provide comprehensive characterisation of recycled plastics in accordance with the EN 15342–15348 standards for PE, PP, PS, PET and PVC recyclates.
- Typical testing parameters evaluated include: Melt Flow Rate (MFR) and Density profiling.
- Thorough quantification of active PVC content and Particle size distribution lines.
- These analyses are frequently required to demonstrate material quality and support End-of-Waste assessments.
Challenge Testing
NextLab supports recycling technology developers by designing and delivering robust challenge testing programmes to verify decontamination performance. Challenge testing involves deliberately introducing representative contaminants into plastic feedstocks before processing and then measuring residual contamination following treatment.
Comprehensive Capabilities: Includes initial challenge test design, custom preparation of contaminated test materials, process planning, and rigorous operational experimental support.
Verification Data: Full analytical tracking coupled with comprehensive data interpretation and technical reporting.
Challenge testing provides the scientific evidence needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of recycling technologies and support regulatory approval.
Odour Assessment and Removal Validation
Odour is one of the most significant quality indicators for recycled plastics and can strongly influence the suitability of recyclates for high-value applications, particularly food contact packaging and consumer products. NextLab provides analytical and sensory evaluation services to assess odour levels before and after recycling processes, helping manufacturers quantify odour reduction and validate process performance.
Analytical Support Scope: Direct assessment of overall odour intensity and character alongside thorough chemical comparisons of virgin, recycled, and processed polymer materials.
Process Optimization: In-depth validation of active odour removal technologies, investigation of unknown undesirable odor sources, and complete product quality improvement monitoring.
By combining analytical techniques with material characterisation, NextLab helps customers demonstrate improvements in recyclate quality and build confidence that recycled materials are suitable for demanding end-use applications.
NEXTLab / Recognition
Care in every test.
Confidence in every result.
NEXTLab has received a Certificate of Compliance from CLC.
Reliable, independently verified data is central to the safe use of recycled content in packaging. This recognition reflects the care the whole NEXTLab team puts into every result.
Behind each result is a team committed to careful work, attention to detail and data that helps inform material decisions.
Getting started with NextLab
Your Testing Enquiry
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Tell us what you need
Use the contact form to describe your material, its processing history and the testing or advice you’re looking for. Include your contact details so we can follow up.
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Agree the testing scope
Our team will review your enquiry and discuss suitable testing, sample requirements, pricing and expected timescales. We’ll request supporting documents if needed.
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Prepare and send your samples
Once the work is agreed, we’ll provide instructions for sample quantities, packaging, labelling and delivery. Please wait for these instructions before sending materials.
The contact form accepts enquiries only. Supporting documents and sample arrangements will be discussed directly with our team.
Discuss your testing requirements: Tell us about your material and the testing support you need. Our team will review your enquiry and contact you to agree next steps. Please submit your enquiry first; we’ll request supporting documents if needed.
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