Hydrocarbon analysis

Hydrocarbon analysis is essential in many industrial sectors, including materials, polymers, packaging, solvents, and mineral oils. This analysis quantifies aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons (C10-C40) to assess product purity, detect contamination, and verify regulatory compliance.

Hydrocarbons, due to their widespread industrial use and potential impact on health and the environment, are subject to rigorous monitoring. Their measurement is therefore essential for manufacturers, distributors, and quality control laboratories.

Understanding hydrocarbons and their importance

Hydrocarbons comprise a large family of molecules made up solely of carbon and hydrogen. The main categories are:

• Aliphatic hydrocarbons : linear, branched or cyclic, often used as solvents or lubricants.
• Aromatic hydrocarbons : aromatic structures such as benzene, toluene or xylenes, widely regulated due to their toxicity.

As part of quality control, the C10-C40 fractions are particularly monitored, as they concern saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), present in particular in mineral oils and which can migrate from packaging into food.

Analytical methods for the determination of hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbon analysis relies on robust and sensitive chromatographic methods:

• GC-FID (gas chromatography with flame ionization detection) : used for the overall quantification of hydrocarbons, offering excellent reproducibility.
• GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) : allows specific identification of compounds and reliable detection at low concentrations.

These techniques ensure precise separation of compounds and quantification adapted to regulatory and industrial requirements. They are integrated into quality control, conformity assessment, and material safety verification protocols.

Sectors affected by hydrocarbon testing

Hydrocarbon analysis is relevant in several fields:

• Food packaging : detection of aromatic and saturated hydrocarbons likely to migrate into food products.
• Materials and polymers : control of additives and manufacturing residues that may contain hydrocarbons.
• Oils and solvents : assessment of purity, identification of contaminants or validation of refining processes.
• Industrial and cosmetic products : verification of raw materials and quality control of formulations.
• Environment : monitoring of soil, water or air pollution by hydrocarbons.

Typically analyzed matrices

Hydrocarbon analysis can be applied to a wide variety of matrices, such as:

• Mineral oils and lubricants
• Solvents and industrial chemicals
• Plastics and polymers
• Food packaging
• Extracts of finished products or raw materials

Issues of quality, safety and regulation

The presence of hydrocarbons in products intended for food or cosmetic use raises major issues:

• Food safety : preventing the migration of MOSH and MOAH into food.
• Regulatory compliance : meeting European and international requirements concerning aromatic and saturated hydrocarbons.
• Quality control : ensuring the purity and consistency of production batches.
• Environmental protection : assessing the presence of hydrocarbons in environmental matrices to limit ecological impacts.

YesWeLab support for your hydrocarbon analyses

YesWeLab provides access to its network of partner laboratories specializing in physicochemical and chromatographic analyses. Our partners, certified and accredited (ISO 17025, COFRAC), use internationally validated and recognized methods.

Thanks to our digital platform, you benefit from a complete and simplified service:

• Quick online submission of your samples
• Real-time monitoring of your analyses
• Reliable, secure results that comply with current regulations

Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have entrusted us with their analyses to secure their products and optimize their market launch.

Related analyses

• MOSH and MOAH hydrocarbon analysis
• Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Residual solvent analysis
• Phthalate dosage
• Styrene dosage
• Migration control in food packaging