SIBUR PolyLab’s unique test laboratory accredited by government agency

Moscow, 26 January 2021. The test laboratory of the SIBUR PolyLab research centre has been accredited by RusAccreditation to certify that the lab possesses the required technical expertise in research and that such research produces accurate and reliable results. As RusAccreditation is a signatory of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation’s mutual recognition agreement (ILAC MRA), the research results from SIBUR PolyLab are now to be recognised internationally.

It took only a year for SIBUR PolyLab to obtain the accreditation, even though for new R&D centres this process usually lasts for about three years. This was made possible thanks to the consistent efforts of the facility: it arranged for the training of its employees in polymeric material research at the leading R&D centres and successfully implemented a quality management system in accordance with the accreditation requirements of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and GOST ISO/IEC 17025.

SIBUR PolyLab’s test laboratory is truly unique due to the availability of multiple research methods for various uses, including piping and fibres, flexible and rigid packaging, and compounds.

The scope of accreditation primarily covers the research conducted to assess polymer pipe quality. For the purposes of further certification, the laboratory may evaluate other important indicators such as internal hydrostatic pressure resistance, type and class of soot distribution, and thermal stability. Every month, SIBUR PolyLab can test pipes for two or three partners of SIBUR.

With the accreditation of film research methods, the centre can certify the barrier properties of BOPP film used in food packaging, including the degree of oxygen and vapour permeability,  while also supporting clients that use SIBUR's grades for creating composite films.

SIBUR PolyLab actively collaborates with partners in polymer research, equipment choice consultations, selection of analytical methodologies and laboratory accreditation.

The research carried out in SIBUR PolyLab's test laboratory provides analytical support to SIBUR's production processes, while also underpinning product quality improvements, homologation of new grades, and recycling and reuse projects.

Konstantin Vernigorov, CEO of SIBUR PolyLab: “Research quality is the most important indicator of the test laboratory’s performance. State accreditation of the facility’s research will help SIBUR’s clients and partners develop new high quality products with reduced time to market. Given the rapidly evolving consumer preferences and manufacturer priorities, we plan to expand the range of certified research going forward.”

In 2021, SIBUR PolyLab intends to extend the scope of accreditation by adding new research methodologies for a variety of processing industries relevant for SIBUR’s customers and partners.