EDINBURGH, Scotland - Exova, the global testing, calibration and advisory services provider, has invested in new capabilities at its Hillington, UK laboratory to support plastic fitting emissions testing in the automotive sector.

In response to demand from automotive manufacturers looking to test emissions from materials used in vehicle interiors in the assessment of interior air quality, Exova has introduced a thermal desorption unit for VOC testing and a GCxGC FID system to support the enhanced analysis of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH).

The highly technical testing is being carried out in Hillington, in conjunction with Exova’s automotive testing center in Willenhall, UK. This new capability meets a need in the market where manufacturers previously struggled to source suppliers in the UK and were required to send samples to mainland Europe. Exova can test to both a manufacturer’s own standards, as well as to ISO 12219.

Both capabilities reduce the time needed to prepare samples as well as the number of tests required, speeding up turnaround for customers. They also allow for more effective reporting of results, making communications processes with customers more clear and consistent. These form part of a range of investments that are being made at the Hillington lab to support all areas of environmental testing, such as stack, soil, furniture, airplane interiors or toys.