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852 Derwent Way Delta, British Columbia, Canada V3M 5R1 T: 604.526.4221 TF: 800.463.5700 F: 604.526.1898 E: [email protected] W: econotech.com the measure of quality Our History Our Mission Since its inception in 1972, Econotech Services has been recognized as a leading laboratory in pulp and paper Although industrial and testing technology has evolved since our company was formed, our mission has testing services. Within our facility, located just outside of Vancouver, we can perform a full range of analytical tests remained consistent. For over 40 years, our mission has been to provide our clients with independent and timely testing results that meet stringent quality standards. from specialized chemical analysis of pulp (wood and non-woods), pulping liquors and other process chemicals (smelt, ash, condensates, lime), to physical and optical testing of pulp or paper, species analysis, contamination Values identification (scale and plastics), as well as pulping and bleaching studies. Integrity. In all our business activities, integrity is at the core. We are honest and ethical in our interactions with employees, clients and vendors. Our Reputation Reliability. We value long-term relationships that are built through trust. We consistently deliver on Accurate, rapid and reliable results performed by professionals with extensive experience in industry specific our commitments and our clients know they can rely on us. methodologies and matrices has been key to our growth and longevity. We have a reputation for producing high quality results for our clients. We have earned this reputation by: Customer Service Excellence. We take pride in the quality of work we produce and the service we provide. We are dedicated to satisfying our clients’ needs and are passionate about our mission. Serving the pulp and paper industry for over 40 years. We have remained focused on our core business and have developed an extensive knowledge base, allowing us to assist clients with their problem-solving strategies. Quality Policy Statement Econotech Services is committed to providing the highest standard of analytical service to its customers. Developing a technical team with industrial knowledge and extensive testing experience. We have assisted a myriad of We strive to meet this objective by providing dedicated customer service and unbiased results within the clients by providing the data required to make informed decisions to improve processes. expected turnaround times. Providing customer service that is unmatched in the industry. Our service is both personalized and responsive. We understand that our clients put their trust in us and make decisions about their processes based on We understand each client’s needs are unique; therefore, we offer both tailored analytical solutions and the data we provide. Therefore, our quality system is focused on continuous improvement and is compliant standardized testing options. with ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standards. To achieve our commitment to our clients we have implemented the following: • Staff participation in internal and external training programs. • Use of methods that are suitably validated and based on industry standard methods when possible. • Routine verification of data quality and instrumentation calibrations, use of analytical references, and participation in proficiency testing programs. • Utilization of a quality audit program and active solicitation of client feedback. 1 pulp, paper & linerboard testing pulp, pulping and bleaching studies services chemistry dissolving pulp reburned lime analyzer [RLA] reburned lime analyzer microscopy From raw materials to finished products... Cooking Washing & Bleaching Screening White Liquor Evaporation Preparation Chemical Supply Recovery Power Boiler Boiler Recausticing Lime Kiln Econotech is your trusted lab partner 2 3 Microscopy is an indispensable testing discipline for the pulp and paper industry. The primary application is fiber analysis, which provides detailed evaluations of wood species and pulp type in pulp, paper and wood samples. Non-wood and synthetic fibers can also be profiled microscopically. In addition, our microscopy department can provide valuable assistance in process troubleshooting. Defects and contaminants can be profiled and identified by microscopic techniques. microscopy pulping and bleaching studies dissolving pulp chemistry services chemistry pulp, paper & linerboard testing pulp, [RLA] reburned lime analyzer Species Analysis: Sclereid Counts (pulp, paper and wood chips) In conjunction with a Domtar shive Includes percentage breakdown of species analyzer, we determine sclereids/OD and pulp type. We can identify all common gram in pulps, positively identifying North American hardwoods and soft- sclereids from other interferences. woods. Our team is also experienced with samples from Europe, South America Recycled Pulp Characterizations and Asia. Analysis of sawdust and Total sticky area and count. Reported as powdered products is also available. total count of stickies and as total surface area of stickies per 100 OD grams of sample. Hardwood/Softwood Determinations Total ink count and total ink area. Count and Track variations in hardwood/softwood measure ink particles recording largest, content. smallest and average ink particle size. microscopy Chemical/Mechanical Pulp Content Contaminant Identification Determine chemi/mechanical pulp General microscopic examinations identify content in blended products. pulp and paper contaminants like shives, bark, sclereids and foreign material like General Fiber Identification plastic or synthetic fibers. Chemical Individual wood species and non-wood characterization is further available by fibers (grasses, cereal straws, synthetics, FTIR techniques. Photomicrographs are etc.) Synthetics can be specifically often a useful addition. identified by FTIR techniques. Photomicrographs Comparative Vessel Counts A digital camera mounted on our Nikon Determines the relative amounts of E400 microscope with 4x through 40x hardwood vessel elements between pulps objectives provide detailed photographs within a batch of samples. Vessels can of your sample. The images can be very also be categorized by size or observable useful in demonstrating what has been damage. Photomicrographs can also observed at the microscopic level. contribute to this service. Photomicrographs are used in many applications including general fiber Cell Wall Thickness and Fiber Diameter qualities, embedded contaminants, line An in-house method utilizing our digital defects, print quality and for marketing camera and monitor tools to measure a purposes. minimum of 150 fibers for their average diameter and cell wall thickness. 4 5 Econotech is experienced in the highly-specialized production and testing of dissolving pulp grades. Our experience dates back to the founding days of Econotech, when in 1972, we acquired the lab facilities and equipment of Columbia Cellulose, a manufacturer of dissolving pulp. Our unique skills and facilities enable us to simulate the production of viscose or acetate grades of pulp and provide detailed information on their properties. pulping and bleaching studies dissolving pulp chemistry services chemistry reburned lime analyzer [RLA] reburned lime analyzer pulp, paper & linerboard testing pulp, Viscose Preparation and Evaluation Laboratory scale preparation of alkali The secondary acetate is dissolved cellulose is followed by aging to a allowing for the determination of: specified end point target viscosity. • Clogging constant Xanthation of the alkali cellulose • Plugging value results in the formation of viscose. • Haze The viscose is dissolved in alkali with • Colour further aging resulting in a viscose • Viscosity solution simulating that used in the • Acetyl value production of rayon. Both the slurry and sheet steeping procedures may be used. In addition, phase contrast microscopy dissolving pulp • Gel Content can be used to photograph the product • Photomicrographs of viscose dope and to determine the population of • Salt index un-acetylated or partially acetylated fibers and the presence of particulate Characterization of viscose preparation impurities. and solution includes: • Aging time • Filterability Fock Reactivity • Haze • Clarity A micro-scale preparation of viscose • Ball fall viscosity using a 0.5g sample of pulp. In addition, should sheet steeping be Test includes: Pulp sample preparation assessed, the procedures used allow and conditioning, alkylation/xanthation, for the determination of capillary rise, followed by cellulose regeneration as sheet flotation, caustic absorption, a measure of pulp reactivity. swelling volume and density. All samples are completed in duplicate. Cellulose Acetate Preparation and Evaluation Laboratory scale preparation of cellulose triacetate is carried out by the catalyzed acetylation of conditioned cellulose. This is subsequently hydrolyzed to form secondary cellulose acetate. 6 7 Our Pulp and Paper Testing Group can evaluate a wide range of physical, optical and printing- properties, as well as perform tests related to various pulp treatments. We ensure rapid turnaround of test results to help our clients resolve problems quickly. Our test methods follow industry accepted procedures such as TAPPI, PAPTAC, ISO and SCAN. We maintain our high standard of accuracy and precision by conforming to a Quality Assurance Program that includes regular participation in collaborative pulp and paper reference monitoring programs. pulp, paper & linerboard testing