CASSEN Testing Laboratories offers a wide range of analysis for plastic precursors, additives, and by-products of decomposition. Our state-of-the-art equipment provides accurate and reliable analysis for different matrices and sampling methods. CASSEN has extensive experience in method development and interpretation of analytical data and provides high quality services to meet client needs.

Emissions from plastic products manufacturing facilities occur, where solid resins are heated and melted, liquid solvents and solvent blends are exposed to the atmosphere, additives are introduced, and where chemical reactions occur. Therefore, it is expected that emissions are influenced by chemical makeup of the process materials, the physical makeup of the plastic processing equipment, and the conditions under which processing occurs.

Thermoplastics	Starting Materials	By-products / Additives
PE	Ethylene	Vinyl Acetate as Co-Polymer
PVC	Vinyl Chloride	Phthalic Anhydride, Phthalic Esters
PP	Propylene	High Decomposition Rates, Antioxidants added
PS	Styrene	Divinylbenzene As Co-Monomers; Pentane, 1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane,Methylene Chloride as Foaming Agents
PET	Ethylene Glycol,Dimethyl Terephthalate	Cyclohexanedimethanol as Additive,Methanol as By-Product
ABS, SA	Acrylonitrile, Styrene, 1,3-Butadiene	Benzene, Ammonia, Propylene
PMMA	Methyl Acrylate,Methyl Methacrylate	Methacrylic Acid And Butyl Acrylate asCo-Monomers
PA	Nylon 6,6-Hexamethylenediamine, Adipic Acid, Nylon 6 – Caprolactam	Hydrogen Cyanide, Ammonia and other Amines from Thermal Oxidation
PC	Alkyl Diols, Alkyl Carbonates, Bisphenol A, Phosgene	HCl, Cyclohexane used as Co-Monomer

Thermosetting Resins	Starting Materials	Additives/Foaming Agents
Epoxy	Epichlorohydrin, Bisphenols, Phenolamine, Mercaptoethanol	Phenols, Thiols, Cyclic Anhydrides As Hardeners; Imidazole as Catalyst
Polyester	Caprolactone, Hydroxybutyrate, Trimethylene Carbonate	Hcl As Catalyst, Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide, Benzoyl Peroxide, Catalysts for Crosslinking
Urea	Urea -Formaldehyde	Ammonia, Pyridine as Catalysts
Melamine	Melamine- Formaldehyde	Butanol and Xylenes as Solvents, Phenols as Binder
Phenolics	Phenol- Formaldehyde	Hexamethylenetetramine used as Hardener
Polyurethane	Toluene Diisocyanate, Methylene Diisophenylcyanate, Ethylene Glycol	1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane, 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane, 1,2-Dichloroethylene, Pentane

In ambient air, VOC emissions can be transported by prevailing winds over long distances, making them not only a local urban issue but one that extends regionally into many smaller communities and rural areas. Characterisation of VOCs in the air will help to determine the actual source of emission of some of these harmful VOCs. Moreover, odorous organics generated in some of these operations can be traced to their origins.