Water Quality: Defining Analysis

Switzerland-based Metrohm is leading manufacturer of high-quality laboratory analysers. Metrohm offers advanced instrumentation as well as solutions for the water analysis sector. It is the only company to offer a complete range of ion analysis equipment – titration, voltammetry and ion chromatography. In an interview with H20, Anil D Bangera, CEO, Metrohm Middle East, spoke on the company’s products and solutions, key water analysis markets, attributes that differentiates Metrohm from competition and its future plans

Could you brief us about Metrohm and its presence in the MENA region?

Anil D Bangera

Metrohm AG is a leading global manufacturer of precision instruments for chemical analysis. We are the only company in the world to combine titration, ion chromatography and polarography, the three most important ion analytical methods. For each of these methods, we offer instruments for laboratory, as well as online and at-line applications.

In addition to Metrohm AG, the Metrohm Group includes Applikon Analytical, which produces online analytical instruments and Metrohm Autolab, which is one of the leading manufacturers of potentiostats for Research & Development (R&D). Our customers continue to rely on the high quality of our products, something that has remained unchanged since we started in 1943.

In the MENA market, we have been present for the past 30 years, through distributors in the different countries. In order to enhance support provided to this growing market, Metrohm Middle East was set up in 2007 at the Sharjah Airport Free Zone. The facility supports customers and distributors in applications, method development, system configuration and after-sales support.

What is the unique value proposition that Metrohm brings to the water analysis and monitoring marketplace? What are your strengths?

As a company focused on ion analysis, Metrohm offers solutions in two dimensions. On the analysis side, we offer measurements from very high concentrations to ultra-trace levels (% to ppt), enabling us to cater to water segments all the way from wastewater to ultrapure water. On the instruments side, we offer instruments for laboratory analysis and online process measurements, adopting common methods and techniques. This gives us the platform to offer solutions tailored to the customer’s requirements. We are regarded as one of the most innovative companies in the world of ion analysis.

Our major strength is a fully integrated manufacturing set up, where we manufacture almost all the components in-house, including circuit boards, mechanical assemblies and metal working, including our own print shop for manuals and catalogues.

Through decades of experience, we have gained the expertise to provide an application for virtually any analytical problem. We regularly make this expertise available to our customers and to the scientific community through databases, monographs, papers and application bulletins. We are also a sought-after partner for the elaboration of international testing regulations.

What industries do you consider as the most significant customers or markets in the MENA region, and why?

Metrohm offers systems for various industry segments – water, oil & gas, refineries petrochemicals, food, power, fertilisers, pharmaceutical, education and research. In the MENA Region, our focus is mainly on water, oil & gas, petrochemicals and food industries.

Water is a precious resource in this region. Awareness on the quality of water – be it for domestic or industrial – is on the rise, which is leading to an increase in analysis requirements. Also, with more stringent norms being adopted by the authorities, we see a growing demand in areas like on-line and laboratory instrumentation for complying with these norms.

How are you keeping yourself on your toes to better understand your customer requirements from their perspective?

Internationally, Metrohm interacts with major regulatory bodies and technology providers. We also participate in roundrobin tests for evaluation of analytical test methods. Moreover, in the MENA region, we participate in various conferences to get first-hand information of what are the current norms and regulations being implemented by the authorities and technology companies. Our customers also interact with us to in their quest for solutions that will enable compliance with new or upcoming regulations. In fact, we encourage them to challenge us with their needs so that we can provide the appropriate solution.

Could you provide an overview of the major products and solutions offered by Metrohm for water analysis & monitoring in the MENA region?

Metrohm offers solutions for laboratory and online measurements based on techniques like titration, ion chromatography, colorimetric, and ion selective electrodes and polarography. A unique product we offer for water analysis in the lab is the Titric-A system, combining titration and ion chromatography. Using this system, from a single sampling, one can measure pH, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, anions including bromate, cations and ionic balance. For online analysis, our custom-built analysers can provide multiple parameters in a single analyser. For example, in refinery effluent, you can measure critical parameters like COD, sulphide and phenol on a single online analyser. We also offer online trace metal analysis (ppt ranges).

Our instruments make work easier wherever electrochemical analyses are involved. Complicated analyses can be carried out quickly with maximum precision using our solutions, and can also be fully automated, if necessary. Modular design enables straightforward configuration of customised systems. Our portfolio includes:

• pH meters, ion meters, conductometers
• Potentiometric, thermometric and Karl Fischer titration
• Dosing of liquids – liquid handling
• Polarography, voltammetry and CVS
• Ion chromatography
• Stability measurement of fats, oils and biofuels
• Process analysis
• Automation in titration, voltammetry, ion chromatography and process control
• Laboratory software
• Electrochemical sensors
• Separation columns for ion chromatography
• Accessories

An indicator of the range of parameters, methods and solutions that we offer can be seen on our website, which features information on over 1,200 applications.

Could you give us a glimpse of the R&D activity carried out at Metrohm?

We develop all our instruments, the software they require and the accessories ourselves, because we believe that in the long term, only those who master their field, end-to-end, will be able to maintain their innovation pipeline. In fact, almost a quarter of the 400 odd employees, at the Herisau, Switzerland headquarters work in R&D. The knowledge required is pretty complex. Chemists, highly qualified electronics engineers, software specialists and designers work together in close collaboration on our project teams.

What are some of the technological enhancements that you foresee in the water analysis and monitoring product market? What are you doing to incorporate these enhancements?

We believe that water monitoring is going to be an equally important part of our lives in the immediate future. One trend is simple measurement, handheld monitors for quick/instant measurements and monitoring, which brings to the forefront the biosensor technology. The future belongs to multi–parameter, multichemistry and multi-channel capability analysis. In online monitoring, wireless transmission of results, remote access and control to implement preventive and corrective action will be in vogue, especially in effluent waste and sewage treatment plants. The market for environmental hazard monitors such as monitoring of particulates in ambient air is also growing.

How can regulation drive the water analysis and monitoring market in the Middle East? Do you see a gap in the regulatory norms and their implementation today?

Strict monitoring and regulation by instrumental methods and validation will bring in a sea change in monitoring by water and wastewater plants, industries and testing laboratories. This will definitely enhance the market. Today, analytical methodologies are specified but without stringent instrumental methodology adaptation. Moreover, continuous monitoring of critical parameters is being implemented only in certain projects.

What are the products that you have introduced recently? Can you share some insights on future product announcements?

Metrohm is focused on a very niche segment in analytical instrumentation, lab and online, which is dedicated to ion analysis and will continue developing instruments and accessories, which will enhance the detection of ions. Of late, lot of importance has been given to analysis and estimation of trace ions in water, environment, pharmaceuticals and food products by regulatory agencies, and we expect the business to grow in these chosen areas.

How has the economic slowdown impacted your industry? What are your expectations for 2010 and beyond?

The economic slowdown significantly impacted some market segments. Growth has been slow due to delay in projects or budgets being deferred. It is important to understand that our products find a place in quality assurance and process monitoring. The need to adhere to regulatory norms and standards, prescribed by various governmental bodies and agencies, will bring in new requirements that should contribute towards better growth prospects.