In addition to its use in archaeometry, 14C analysis can also be used to analyse bio-based materials and products. The aim is to determine the type of carbon source from which, for example, a fuel, oil or plastic was produced. These products or materials can be made from petrochemical (natural gas or crude oil) or natural or biogenic feedstocks (e.g. vegetable oils and bio-methanol) or a mixture thereof.
Products are labelled as “biogenic” if their starting materials come from natural or renewable sources, such as vegetable oils and bio-methanol.
Using the 14C method, we can distinguish between biogenic and petrochemical material and their mixtures. Due to its age (the age of the crude oil from which the source material originates is several million years), pure petrochemical material has carbon that does not contain 14C.
Pure biogenic material has the 14C carbon signature of the corresponding year of growth of the corresponding plant.
In our 14C laboratory, the biogenic content is determined in accordance with ASTM-D 6866 or EN 16640.
Bio-based material tests are suitable for many industrial products and raw materials. For example, biogenic content can be determined in the following categories:
- Cosmetics
- Food products
- Biopolymers and packaging
- Building materials such as concrete or cement
- Biofuels / biolubricants
- Paints, varnishes and pigments
- Biogas and smoke / exhaust gas
- Detergents and surfactants
- Solid recovered fuels
Do you need further information or do you have any questions?
Please feel free to contact us.