Simplifying quality control using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Significance of the Topic

Quality control (QC) laboratories face growing pressure to deliver reliable results quickly, cost-effectively, and without environmental burden. Traditional wet-chemical analyses often require extensive sample preparation, hazardous reagents, and trained personnel, slowing decision-making and driving up operational costs. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), paired with intelligent software, addresses these challenges by providing rapid, non-destructive, multi-parameter measurements.

Objectives and Study Overview

This white paper explores the integration of a Metrohm Vis-NIR analyzer with dedicated Vision Air software as a streamlined QC solution. It demonstrates how this combination simplifies workflows, reduces chemical use, and improves both throughput and analytical accuracy across multiple application scenarios.

Methodology

Analytical performance was evaluated through case studies on polyol quality control, fast screening of process streams, mobile counterfeit detection, smart selection of operating procedures, and calibration strategies for wood pulp Kappa number determination. Vision Air software orchestrates sample identification, method selection, and compliance checks in a unified workflow.

Used Instrumentation

• Metrohm Vis-NIR Analyzer for rapid spectral acquisition without sample preparation
• Vision Air software for automated decision-tree operation, model management, and result validation

Main Results and Discussion

• All-in-one QC for polyols: Simultaneous determination of five critical parameters in under one minute, replacing five individual methods and cutting analysis time from several hours to a minute.
• At-line process screening: Real-time multi-parameter monitoring allows immediate product release or corrective action, avoiding costly off-spec production.
• Mobile counterfeit screening: Deployment in a field-van enables on-site verification of fuel octane ratings and pharmaceutical authenticity, focusing laboratory resources on suspect samples only.
• Smart operating procedure selection: Vision Air’s decision-tree approach automatically classifies samples (e.g., creams with or without sunscreen) and applies the correct quantitative models, reducing manual errors and total QC turnaround to less than five minutes.
• Enhanced calibration accuracy: Iterative splitting of pulp Kappa-number models into low, medium, and high ranges improved standard error of calibration (SEC) from 3.5 to 0.77 in the low-range subset, without manual model switching.

Benefits and Practical Application

• Elimination of hazardous reagents and complex sample preparation.
• Significant reduction in analysis time and per-sample costs.
• Minimized training requirements through guided software workflows.
• Higher analytical throughput for routine QC, at-line control, and mobile screening.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in chemometrics and machine learning will further enhance model robustness and expand NIRS into biopharmaceutical, food, and advanced-materials industries. Integration with Industry 4.0 platforms and IoT connectivity will enable real-time process optimization, predictive maintenance, and remote support, transforming QC into a continuous, data-driven discipline.

Conclusion

The combination of Metrohm Vis-NIR spectroscopy and Vision Air software offers a transformative QC workflow: non-destructive, rapid multi-parameter analysis with automated method management. This approach streamlines laboratory operations, reduces costs and errors, and strengthens quality assurance across diverse production environments.

References

1. World Health Organization. Substandard and Counterfeit Medicines. 2004.
2. ASTM D664-17a (2017). Standard Test Method for Acid Number of Petroleum Products by Potentiometric Titration.