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Some of our offerings within Sustainable environment
Water analyses
IVL is an expert regarding water pollution and problems associated with acidification. With knowledge from long series of measurements dating back to the 1980s, we can analyse the effects and impact of forest management, the impact of air pollution on water systems, industrial emissions into recipient areas and wastewater. The analyses and tests are carried out in our laboratories and are tailored to your needs. Many of our measurement and analysis methods are accredited by Swedac in accordance with SS-EN ISO/ IEC 17025:2005. For other methods, we work on the basis of corresponding quality procedures.
WE HELP YOU WITH:
• Mapping of emissions and dispersion of water pollution in forest areas • Nutrient and acidification status in forest areas • Analyses of the effects and impact of forest management, the impact of air pollution on water systems, industrial emis sions into recipient areas and wastewater • Determining inorganic basic chemistry, analyses of elements, low levels of mercury, APH, CPB, PFAS, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides and flame retardants, as well as plasticisers in plastic materials
Air analyses
IVL has extensive experience of both gaseous air pollutants and particulate matter, and offers measurement methods for cost-effective monitoring of air quality. Our extensive measurement activities in relation to the air are truly unique. We offer simple and robust measurement methods for cost-effective monitoring of air quality, both for gaseous air pollutants and particulates such as PM10 and PM2.5.
Many of our measurement and analysis methods are accredited by Swedac in accordance with SS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018. For other methods, we work on the basis of corresponding quality procedures.
WE HELP YOU WITH:
• Measurement methods for monitoring air quality, including diffusion samplers • Determining nitrogen dioxide, ozone, VOC and PAH in the air • Determining metals in particles • Analyses of mercury in the air, both in total and in particulate form • Analysis methods for rare earth elements (REE), such as catalyst metals, from PM10 sampling
Life cycle assessments
A life cycle assessment gives an overall picture of the extent of the environmental impact of a product throughout its value chain. IVL performs life cycle assessments on a range of products and services.
What is the environmental impact of your company’s products and services? By ascertaining where in the value chain the environmental impact is greatest, you can identify what measures need to be taken to reduce it.
It is possible to perform life cycle assessments on all types of products – for example on packaging, food, electronics, vehicles, fuels, building materials and construction – but also on services. A life cycle assessment calculates the environmental impact of all emissions and resource usage in the core process, but also the impact of raw material extraction, transport, the usage phase and waste management.
We have been experts regarding life cycle assessments since the early 1990s. We carry them out on a daily basis in various research and consultancy assignments, as well as in all sectors, including forestry and the process industry, the automotive industry, the materials and construction sector and the manufacturing industry.
New technologies such as environmental DNA provide effective analysis of both visible and invisible biodiversity in various types of ecosystems. IVL helps you to perform these analyses.
All organisms carry their genetic code in DNA molecules, and these molecules are distributed naturally in the environment, for example from dead skin cells or sweat. Because these genetic traces are species-specific, they can provide a picture of the biodiversity in a specific environment. These environments can be both natural ecosystems such as forests and waterways, but also artificial systems such as factories or process plants.
Analysis of biodiversity using environmental DNA is often more effective and produces a higher resolution than traditional methods, and also does not affect the species being studied and its ecosystem. Invisible biodiversity, such as microorganisms, unknown species or genetic variations within a species, can also be identified using these methods. By analysing the DNA contained in a sample, you can therefore acquire a better understanding of the diversity in the environment than using a traditional field inventory, when many species can be difficult to find or to ascertain their species.
WE HELP YOU TO:
• Calculate the environmental impact from a life cycle perspec tive (such as LCA, EPD) • Conduct sustainability or cost calculations (LCC) from a life cycle perspective • Review LCA calculations and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) • Implement life cycle perspectives in your organisation (Life Cycle Management, LCM) • Map the climate impact according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG) • Calculate the impact of reuse, recycling, circular economy or industrial symbiosis • Stipulate requirements with a life cycle perspective in procurement
WE HELP YOU WITH:
• Advice on how eDNA can be used in your business • Metabarcoding and DNA sequencing • Analysis of individual species with qPCR • Metagenome sequencing of e.g. bacteria • Bioinformatic analysis of DNA data
