Intertek Solutions Assist Use of Nanotechnology in Product R&D

New services to support fast-growing use of nanomaterials and nanotech in multiple industries

OTTAWA, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - Intertek (www.intertek.com), the leading provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries, expands its portfolio by offering solutions to help businesses bring nanotechnology-based materials and products to the marketplace. The use of nanotechnology by product designers and developers to improve product quality and performance is an emerging area.

Nanotechnology is everywhere. In 2005, nanotechnology was incorporated into more than $30 billion in manufactured goods. By 2014, Lux Research estimates $2.6 trillion in manufactured goods will incorporate nanotechnology - approximately 15 percent of total global output. Over the last five years, industries from consumer goods to pharmaceuticals to energy have been deploying the use of nanotechnology¹. In essence, nanotechnology will affect the way companies do business. Specifically, nanotechnology is used by almost every industry today because companies can do more with less.  Nanotechnology provides new opportunities for any industry to deploy and manipulate products more than any other method or system allows. Additionally, nanotechnology allows for one product to interface with another product where this might not have been the case by using a different form of technology or other best practice. 

The economic impact of nanotechnology is on the rise. As companies have been deploying this new form of technology, the effect has resulted in a significant business impact across all industries. Investment in nanotechnology research and development by industry and governments worldwide has increased dramatically. Some estimates suggest that nanotechnology-based products will contribute approximately $1 trillion to the global economy by 2015.² As a result, nanotechnology is intertwined in business operations from inception to completion and is only increasing its value as more and more organizations integrate it into day-day operations.

The nature of nanotechnology and the fast pace of its development means that many new and unique nanomaterials are being created. Companies that produce or use nanomaterials need to analyze, understand and test the way that they may perform or interact within their intended user-environment or marketplace. The properties of nanomaterials that render them unique, such as their size, relative surface area, chemistry and functionality, should be evaluated unanticipated biological effects and toxicity in humans and the environment.  Some stakeholders are pushing for stronger regulation of nanotechnology to control unintended risks.

Intertek is providing performance, analytical, characterization, and clinical testing and consulting services to help businesses bring nanotechnology-based materials and products to the marketplace. These include the collection of information pertaining to design, manufacturing, testing, analyzing nanoparticle toxicology studies, consulting on regulatory guidelines, assessing the health and environmental effects of nanomaterials, and tailoring necessary materials for research and development.

"Nanotechnology represents the future of product design and development for the additional characteristics these materials bring in terms of more potent, more active, smaller than usual and thus new uses, better potential selectivity, and penetration. But as with any emerging technologies or scientific innovations, companies need to test and analyse the impact of their use of these to ensure they meet global health and environment compliance requirements," states Dr. Ruud Overbeek, Vice President of Intertek's Health and Environment. "Our range of nanotechnology solutions can assist our customers through the entire product lifecycle, from research and development through marketing"

Intertek will present key health and environmental challenges and opportunities of nanotechnology during a free 1 hour webinar on September 9, 2010 at 2:00 pm CEST and 2:00 pm EDT. For more information or to register, please visit: http://www.intertek.com/events/2010/nanotechnology-challenges-webinar/  

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About Intertek Health & Environment (www.intertek.com/green)

Intertek Health & Environment offers complete solutions addressing global, regional, and local compliance and chemical safety. We develop sound traceability systems and help with implementation of company specific policies. Intertek does more than simply help our clients comply, we give them the competitive advantage they desire. Our comprehensive health and environmental solutions cover Restricted Substances, REACH, California Proposition 65, Global Chemical Notification, Food Safety and Greenhouse Gas management. Services include strategy consulting, regulatory and product safety consulting, testing and analysis, legal representation, certification, supply chain management, scientific research, and corporate education appropriate for all types and levels of business. We deliver solutions to meet our customers' needs in managing their products in today's complex global marketplace.

About Intertek (www.intertek.com)

Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 25,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world.

For further information, visit www.intertek.com

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¹ The Project for Emerging Nanotechnologies, "Nanotechnology Now Used in Nearly 500 Every Day Products", Washington, DC (press release)
² Scientific American, August 2006, Nanotechnology's Future

For further information:

Joel Pekay
Global Marketing and Business Development Director
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

[email protected]
http://www.intertek.com/green/nanotechnology/