Glycol ester dosage

Glycol ester analysis is a physicochemical procedure used to identify and quantify these compounds in various matrices, such as inks, cosmetics, plastics, and packaging materials. Glycol esters are derivatives obtained by esterification of glycol ethers and are widely used as solvents or additives due to their solubility and film-forming properties. Commonly analyzed compounds include ethylene glycol monoacetate, 2-methoxyethyl acetate, and 2-ethoxyethyl acetate.

Monitoring these substances is of increasing importance, as certain glycol ethers and their esters are classified as substances of concern due to their reprotoxic potential. Their analysis ensures that products comply with current regulatory and toxicological requirements.

In what cases should a glycol ester assay be performed?

Glycol ester analysis addresses numerous industrial and regulatory needs. It is particularly relevant for monitoring residual solvents in printing inks and varnishes, especially for food contact packaging. It is also applicable to verifying the composition of cosmetic formulations, quality control of polymer and plastic materials, and assessing product compliance with restrictions imposed by European regulations such as REACH.

This analysis is relevant both during the development of new formulations and as part of continuous production monitoring or non-conformity management. It is frequently part of a broader analytical strategy, complementing the measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or monomersin food contact materials.

What analytical techniques are used for the quantification of glycol esters?

Glycol ester assays rely on gas chromatography techniques, recognized for their sensitivity and specificity towards volatile and semi-volatile compounds.

Gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) provides reliable and robust quantification of glycol esters, making it particularly well-suited for routine analyses. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), on the other hand, offers a high degree of structural identification, essential for confirming the presence of specific compounds and characterizing complex matrices. The choice of technique depends on the nature of the sample, the target compounds, and the required quantification limits.

Which sectors are affected?

Glycol ester analysis is primarily relevant to the packaging, materials, and polymers sectors, where controlling solvents and additives is crucial for safety and compliance. The printing, cosmetics, plastics, and specialty chemicals industries also utilize it to ensure the safety of their formulations and meet the expectations of both their customers and regulatory authorities.

Additional analyses

For a comprehensive characterization of your materials and formulations, glycol ester analysis can be combined with other analyses available in our catalog: volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis to assess emissions and migration, monomer analysis to monitor polymerization residues, formaldehyde analysis for food contact materials, and residual peroxide analysis to evaluate polymer stability. These analyses provide a holistic view of the quality, safety, and compliance of your products.

Perform your glycol ester assay with YesWeLab

At YesWeLab, we collaborate with a rigorously selected network of laboratories, most of which are certified and/or accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC, etc.). These laboratories are chosen based on your specific needs, the matrices to be analyzed, and the required analytical techniques or methods.

If you have specific requirements, please do not hesitate to specify them in your request: our scientific team will do everything possible to respond accurately and promptly. You will also benefit from access to a catalog of over 10,000 analyses as well as personalized scientific support throughout your project.

Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have trusted us to manage their analyses, entrusting us with their samples via our digital platform.

To learn more or to submit a specific need, contact our team now.