Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed a precise, automated gas chromatography (GC) method for static headspace analysis of residual solvents in flexible packaging, using a headspace autosampler capable of multiple headspace extraction (MHE). Application Note 10396: Static Headspace Analysis of Residual Solvents in Flexible Packaging and Quantitation with Multiple Headspace Extraction Following EN 13628-1: 2002 demonstrates the combined analytical power of the Thermo Scientific TRACE 1310 GC and the Thermo Scientific TriPlus 300 Headspace Autosampler to detect and quantify solvents that may leach from adhesives in flexible plastic packaging into the food products the packaging was meant to protect.

Flexible packaging ensures the safety, quality and shelf-life of packaged consumer products. This packaging is often comprised of layers bonded together by adhesives and imprinted with product information. During the process of manufacturing or storage, flexible packaging may leach solvents from the adhesives or printing inks and into the very product it was meant to protect. EN 13628-1: 2002 comprises the British standards for determination of residual solvents by static headspace gas chromatography and applies to flexible packaging materials that consist for mono- or multilayer plastic films, paper or board, foil or combinations thereof.