CHROMATOTEC
THE FUTURE OF GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
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CHROMATOTEC
I PROFILE
Headquartered in France, Chromatotec stands at the frontier of advanced analytical systems based on gas chromatography. Its core mission revolves around meeting specific customer requirements with their high added-value solutions in niche markets; from monitoring air quality for government networks, to detecting odours at water treatment plants – all while serving the oil, gas and chemical industries with an array of solutions, Chromatotec’s touch is everywhere. Richard Hagan spoke with General Manager Jean-Philippe Amiet to find out more.
W
hile Chromatotec’s heart lies in
The smell of success
France - housing its production,
Recently, Chromatotec has seen
R&D, and technical teams –
particular success with its air quality
its influence extends far beyond French
monitoring solutions. This is exemplified
borders. “At its core, Chromatotec
by its successful 2018 bid for a United
thrives on filling voids worldwide,
States Environmental Protection Agency
with high added-value analytical solu-
(EPA) contract. According to Mr Amiet, the
tions,” General Manager Jean-Philippe
award put the industry on notice: “Our
Amiet explained.
successful award from the EPA substan-
The company’s solutions cater to
tially raised our profile internationally, given
a vast expanse of sectors, from research
the world’s high regard for the EPA’s strong
centres and public/governmental insti-
reputation. It’s a very influential body,
tutions to major industrial operators
so when the EPA makes a decision,
such as TotalEnergies and SNF.
everyone pays attention.”
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This project called for a large number of PAMS; 60 VOCs air quality monitoring solutions, which ordinarily make up 25% of Chromatotec’s turnover. With over 20 years in the air quality monitoring sector, Chromatotec’s award from the EPA is another well-earned and well-deserved accolade for the company. The EPA project also led directly to Chromatotec’s subsequent successful penetration of the Chinese market soon afterwards. Though Chinese demand has since cooled somewhat due to various geopolitical factors,
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CHROMATOTEC
I PROFILE
demand for Chromatotec’s products
The new factory will significantly
and services continues to see strong
boost Chromatotec’s production output,
growth at home in France, as well as in
according to Mr Amiet: “In our current
Europe, Japan, India, America and the
facility, our capacity is approximately
Middle East.
400 instruments per year, while output at our new plant is expected to be 1,000
Building a new home
per year, at a minimum.”
To ensure that it can continue meeting
He explained that while the main objec-
the growing demand for its solutions,
tive of the new facility was to increase its
Chromatotec is putting the finishing
output capacity, Chromatotec’s new plant
touches on an impressive new facility
will also improve the company’s offering
that will considerably expand its manu-
in other ways. “We also wanted to further
facturing capacity. Construction of the
refine the quality of our product by mod-
new facility was completed in mid-October
ernising our production tools, installing better
2023, with interior fitout following imme-
controls and improving the quality of our
diately after. The company expects to
testing. Furthermore, we plan to move more
move into the state-of-the-art new plant
of our production needs in-house. This deep
in January 2024.
involvement in the construction of our
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instruments will allow us to create very
any external purging gas. Having been
high added-value solutions.”
in development for at least five years, the
Various sustainability initiatives have
new product’s launch was highly antici-
been built into the new plant, highlighted
pated by the market, which received it
by the solar PV panels that are being
with wide open arms.
installed on the building’s roof which
“I have been personally involved in this
will ensure that Chromatotec is able to
project since its inception, and I’m proud
produce most of its energy needs. “The
to say that the launch has been a huge
building’s design further incorporates
success!” said Mr Amiet. “Despite us not
energy-saving materials with a low envi-
yet having reached the end of 2023,
ronmental impact and high ecological
sales of the system have already grown
status,” Mr Amiet said.
to 8 per cent of our turnover. That’s pretty good, and it’s largely thanks to the broad
Growing ATEX market share
swathe of projects we’ve sold it to in
In 2023, Chromatotec proudly announced
countries including the US, Mexico, Oman,
the launch of its new ATEX solution designed
China, Angola, Italy and Chile. And there
to operate in hazardous areas without
are more projects for it incoming.”
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CHROMATOTEC
I PROFILE
The ATEX solution is very heavy requiring special arrangements on the factory floor to accommodate its production. While Chromatotec’s previous plant was coping, it was also not ideal for this process. The new factory, however, includes specific arrangements to ensure that the company can manufacture the ATEX system more efficiently than ever before.
Downsizing and pest control Chromatotec’s ability to produce bespoke solutions further sets it apart in its highly specialised, very niche market. “This is a big advantage for us versus some of our competitors who make standardised high-volume products,” Mr Amiet said. “We focus on customised solutions because very few companies can do it and because we have a high level of expertise internally.” He pointed to two recent projects which highlight Chromatotec’s bespoke capabilities. One project was for TotalEnergy’s R&D lab, which required the development of a liquid chromatography system that was transportable by plane via carry-on
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luggage, and which the company could deploy on oil platforms worldwide. “They already had a lab-based instrument made by another manufacturer, but they wanted something robust and miniaturised,” said Mr Amiet. Chromatotec successfully completed the project within only two years. The other project is one that was awarded by the EU for a portable gas chromatography (GC) machine. The project, called PurPest, is a collaborative effort by several European companies and universities to develop a portable GC to screen agricultural imports for pests. “Pesticides are increasingly forbidden, and this is growing the risk of pests,” Mr Amiet explained. “They need the GC unit to analyse whether imported plants are contaminated by detecting the presence of pests. It’s a big project spanning three years.” Concluding, Mr Amiet emphasised his team’s enthusiasm for the work they do: “We’re passionate about creating new solutions with high technical added value to solve our customers’ requirements. It’s a lot of time and work, but it’s very exciting!”
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