At CCIC Singapore Pte Ltd Laboratory, we support the rapid growth of local, environmentally friendly, and renewable fuel producers by offering comprehensive laboratory testing services. Our analyses comply with ASTM D6866 and EN 16640 standards to determine the content of renewable (bio-based) and fossil-derived (petro-based) carbon materials.
This carbon dating method measures the ratio of Carbon-14 (¹⁴C), Carbon-13 (¹³C), and Carbon-12 (¹²C) isotopes in carbon-containing solids, liquids, and gases to determine the percentage of biobased content.
How Does ASTM D6866 method C Measure Biobased Content?
ASTM D6866 Method C utilizes Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC) to quantify a product’s biobased content. The carbon in the sample is converted to benzene via a benzene synthesizer before analysis. This method applies to any carbon-based product that can be combusted in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas.
Key Points:
- Differentiates carbon derived from contemporary (renewable) versus fossil-based inputs.
- Renewable materials contain a known level of Carbon-14, while fossil-based materials contain none.
- Test results reflect the proportion of renewable content in the sample.
- Products made entirely from petroleum will show 0% biobased content, whereas blended materials will have results corresponding to their renewable raw material percentage.
Why Biobased Content Certification Matters
Biobased content certifications and eco-labels serve as powerful marketing tools, helping businesses demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
To pursue certification under programs that require biobased carbon measurement, carbon-14 analysis per ASTM D6866 or EN 16640 is essential.
Additional Radioactivity Measurement Services
Our Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) can measure the radioactivity of various materials, including but not limited to:
- Bioplastic content in packaging materials
- Gross alpha and beta activity in water and airborne particulates
- Tritium (³H) in urine, water, and ice
- Radionuclides in various samples, including:
- Po-210, Ra-226, Ra-228, Ac-228, K-40
- U-234, U-235, U-238
- Th-228, Th-230, Th-232
- Pu-239, Pu-240, Am-241, Sr-90