We are fully equipped to provide a comprehensive analysis of liquid fuels, coal and biofuels. All testing is done to International Standards – ASTM, ISO, BS, or AS.

Our testing range goes from energy content, moisture content to ash behaviour.

We can test the following types of fuel:

• Coal: is your boiler running on coal? We can test your samples and offer you expert advice accordingly.
• Liquid Fuels: we are equipped and experienced to test waste oils looking at sulphur content, flashpoint and energy content.
• Biomass: are you looking at using renewable fuels? We can run tests on a wide range of biomass fuels. Testing is conducted to either New Zealand or international standard methods, in-house methods or by creating new methods as required. We have a wide range of equipment and experience to draw on, allowing us to test routine and diagnostic samples. We also have a transitional facility so international biomass can typically be sent directly to the lab without treatment.
• Washability: Coal preparation is the processing of coal to improve its quality for the end-user. Our comprehensive range of testing includes float/sink analysis (AS 4156.1-1994), drop shatter (ASTM D440), drum tumble (AS 4156.1-1994), froth flotation (AS 4156.2-1998) and wheelstand testing (simulating coal sluiced through a pipeline).
• Humic Acid testing: Determination of humic acids ( total humic acids and free humic acid) of Brown coals and Ignites.

For more information, get in touch with our friendly staff Mike C. Young

Our fuels laboratory has the capacity to test a huge range of biomass fuels. Testing is conducted to either New Zealand or international standard methods, in-house methods or by creating new methods as required. We have a wide range of equipment and experience to draw on, allowing us to test routine and diagnostic samples. We also have a transitional facility so international biomass can typically be sent directly to the lab without treatment.

We are members of the Bioenergy Association (BANZ) and can analyse and classify fuels to the BANZ guidelines.

Get in touch with our friendly staff for more information or to share with us your biomass project. Contact Mike C. Young

Acid-Base Accounting is a suite of tests used to characterise mine waste for optimal management and to minimise problematic leachate such as acid mine drainage. At Verum Group we conduct standard acid-base accounting static tests to measure the potential for the acid formation or neutralisation as well as long-term kinetic leaching tests to measure changes in leachate composition with time. In addition, Verum Group employs New Zealand's leading geochemistry team for the interpretation of this kind of data and development of mine waste management plans in line with the global best practice.

At Verum Group, we are aware that laboratory methods and results for acid-base accounting can be difficult to benchmark and so we developed standard reference materials for acid-base accounting analysis. Currently, we export these standards throughout Australasia, South America and Africa with interest growing in North America as well.

For more information contact Hana Christenson

We frequently test gases from a variety of sources for testing including, gas distributors, landfills, biogas manufacturers, mines and ambient air quality tests. Typically, a sample volume of only 200ml is required to complete an analysis using our new Agilent 3000A micro gas chromatograph.

For more information get in touch with our friendly staff, contact Ben D. Rumsey.

Concerned about the quality of the water or the effects of wastewater? From a simple pH or conductivity test to the analysis of heavy metals, or the growth of E. coli and other coliforms, we offer a comprehensive range of water testing, including both chemical and microbiological analysis, for which our Greymouth-based water testing facility is IANZ accredited and approved by the Ministry of Health.

Get in touch with our friendly staff, contact Trevor Dine

We offer an available-to-all IANZ-accredited rapid service to analyse building materials and soil for asbestos content and air monitoring filters to establish an airborne fibre concentration. We can provide you with explicit instructions for taking your samples or recommend professionals to survey your building, sample or remove asbestos-containing material.

For more information, get in touch with our friendly staff, contact Mike C. Young

If you want to send or to drop your samples to our laboratory, they will need to be accompanied by the Asbestos Sample Submission form.

SpectraChem is a part of Verum Group specialising in the X-ray fluorescence and XRF analysis of a wide range of inorganic and organic materials such as rocks and soils, plant and animal tissue, metal alloys, industrial wastes, oils, plastics and polymers.

Staffed by fully qualified and experienced analysts, we are an IANZ accredited, independent XRF laboratory. We are an approved MPI Transitional Facility for the importation and handling of overseas soil, rock and plant materials.

Whether you are a mining and geological exploration company, environmental consultant, oil and manufacturing industry, or a research organisation, Verum Group expert analysts can perform the following analysis for you:

• XRF Major Oxide Analysis
• XRF Trace Elements Analysis
• XRF Organic Elements Analysis
• XRF Metal Alloys Analysis
• XRF Semi-quantitative "Multi-Element" Analysis
• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) - (subcontracted)

For more information contact Craig Fraser at SpectraChem or on 04 570 3799.