How Deformulation Labs Work

Deformulation labs, like other analytical laboratories, work under highly controlled conditions, with the specific goal of identifying components of unknown formulas. The following is a typical workflow for a Deformulation Lab: In some cases, reformulation or a prototype is desired. In these cases, quality deformulation labs will refer the matter to a competent formulation laboratory to re-create the material. Advanced …

Reverse engineering process in lab

Reverse Engineering Workflow

At National Polymer, we utilize a reverse engineering workflow for analyzing a polymer blend of unknown components and then reconstructing that compound for production use. Once we have determined all the components that comprise the polymer being analyzed through the reverse engineering process, we then recreate that polymer, optimizing for cost and performance. Next, we make test batches to confirm …

Sourcing a Deformulation Lab

How to Source a Deformulation Lab

Deformulation is just one aspect of Analytical Chemistry. Analytical chemistry uses many methods, purposely designed to determine various compositional aspects of materials. Methods can be both detructive and non-destructive. They include separation methods such as chromatography, wet chemistry (titrational) methods, spectrographic methods, thermo-analysis methods, and more. Analytical chemists and engineers are constantly coming up with better ways to qualify and …

Types of deformulation - chromograph - separation funnels

Types of Polymer Deformulation

There are several different types of polymer deformulation. Deformulation is the process of breaking down and identifying the individual components that make up a polymer. Many factors come into play when determining individual chemical components, morphology, and thermal interactions of polymers. This is where polymer deformulation steps in to identify multiple variables of a polymer via reverse engineering techniques. First, …

Reverse engineering by chemical deformulation performed by lab tech

The Next Big Thing in Deformulation Chemistry

Deformulation can be an important part of the long term viability of a company’s product offerings. What actually makes up a product is a crucial topic to be addressed when it comes to product creation. Although this might seem straightforward, it can be difficult and time-consuming to list every component that goes into a product. This is where reverse engineering …

Raman spectrometer, Raman spectroscopy

Deformulation With Raman Spectroscopy

Deformulation is important for product development, ongoing improvement, and competitive analysis. Deciding which analytical tools and techniques are most appropriate takes a team of skilled chemists and engineers. One method that has proved particularly useful in gathering compositional deformulation data of materials is Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy can help analyze the complex structure of solid dose forms, including particulate matter and …

deformulation - spectrometer

Deformulation Vs. Reverse Engineering: What You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between product deformulation and reverse engineering? Both are critical processes in product development, but they serve very different purposes. Here are some pros and cons of each approach that help you determine which is suitable for your project. So, without further ado, let’s get started! What Is Deformulation? Deformulation is a process …

Deformulation and Reformulation by National Polymer

Deformulation and Beyond

Composition Deformulation & Reformulation Best Practices Simply put, deformulation is figuring out what something is made of and/or how it is made. It is often referred to as “reverse engineering.” Deformulation consists of a series of analytical methods and techniques used to determine the composition of a material. Also of interest, is how the various chemical components which make up …

The Advantages of Product Deformulation

Product Deformulation is a process that is used to reverse engineer chemical based materials. These materials are often Polymeric in nature. The process includes extractions, separations, and analytical investigations using specialized instruments and methods. When finished, information concerning the “recipe” of components and the structure of materials is obtained. Typical information includes the identification of polymeric, oligomeric, and monomeric components; …

The Importance of Chemical Deformulation Analysis

You may be asking what exactly is chemical deformulation analysis and why do I need it?  It’s a great question that we get asked often and we would like to share some insight from more of a business perspective rather than a technical lab perspective. First, let’s define what “Deformulation” is.  Deformulation refers to a set of analytical procedures used …