In addition, we also offer pre-calibration models. Pre-calibrations are robust, ready-to-use operating procedures for certain applications based on real product spectra. They allow you to immediately start your NIR analysis without any time-consuming sample sourcing, sample preparation, or prediction model development needed. Pre-calibrations are available for quality control of isocyanates, polymers, polyols, fuels, wood pulps, palm oil, food and feed samples, cannabis testing, and more.
NIR spectrometers
Near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers for non-destructive analysis of a wide variety of samples in the lab and the process, from liquids, solids, and pastes to slurries, tablets, and capsules.
Whatever your requirements – we have the right NIR spectrometer for you
Our portfolio of near-infrared spectrometers includes laboratory NIR analysers for quality assurance and quality control as well as process NIR analysers for online monitoring of chemical parameters in various industries. Use the filters to refine your search and find the perfect NIR spectrometer for you.
Are you looking for Raman instruments? Go to our Raman spectrometers
Why Metrohm NIR spectrometers? – Quality you can trust
Since its founding in 1943, Metrohm has developed into a trusted provider of consistent high-quality and robust instruments for reliable and precise chemical analysis.
- Get everything you need for your NIR spectroscopy measurements from one provider, from the NIR instrument to pre-calibrations and NIR spectroscopy software.
- Rely on expert know-how compiled in more than 130 application notes.
- Benefit from our global presence in over 80 countries for local support by our service and application experts.
Discover more about NIR spectroscopy in the application notes and webinars provided by our experts:
Near-infrared spectrometer – FAQs
A near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer measures the interaction of light and matter (i.e., the sample) in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, i.e., in the wavelength range of 780 to 2500 nm.
The molecules in a sample absorb and reflect light differently, based on their chemical and physical structure. By measuring the intensity of light at different wavelengths, a NIR spectroscopy device can generate a spectral profile or fingerprint of a sample.
This profile can then be compared to reference spectra or analysed using chemometric techniques to identify and quantify the components present in the sample. For instance, the spectral data can be used to quantify key quality parameters such as hydroxyl value, moisture, melt flow index, density, TAN, TBN, viscosity, protein and fat content, and fatty acid distribution. The data can also be used to identify or verify the identity of a sample.
Blog: Benefits of NIR spectroscopy
NIR spectroscopy is a secondary technique. Before starting any routine analysis, a prediction model is required. Prediction models are created using values from primary techniques or reference methods, such as titration.
- Use a primary technique to gather information about the sample, e.g., concentration or other parameters.
- With the NIR instrument, collect NIR spectra from samples with known concentrations or known parameter values. This set of spectra, known as a calibration set, is the basis to create prediction models. Part of the set of spectra is used as validation set to validate the prediction model. Prediction models can be created and validated using spectroscopy software, such as OMNIS Software.
- Once the prediction model has been created and validated, routine analysis can be started at the push of a button.
Metrohm can assist you with creating and validating prediciton models (step 1 and 2), making NIR spectroscopy even simpler and faster for you. Contact us to learn more.
Near-infrared spectroscopy is an analytical technique with numerous applications in various fields. Metrohm NIR analysers can be used in the following industries:
- chemical
- polyol
- polymer
- food
- animal feed
- pharma
- personal care
- pulp and paper
- paint
- petrochemical
- petrofuel
The NIR instruments can be implemented in the laboratory as well as in the factory for at-line measurements. They are used for quality control and quality assurance, raw material identification, process and reaction monitoring, and screening, providing rapid and non-destructive analysis of samples.
NIR spectrometers analyse multiple parameters within one minute, without needing sample preparation or consumables. Modern NIR spectrometers, such as the OMNIS NIR Analyser, include additional features that increase productivity:
- Flexibility: measure solid and liquid samples in highest accuracy
- Ease-of-use: create prediction models automatically by using the OMD (OMNIS Model Developer)
- Designed as a platform: fully automate your NIR measurements or combine it with titration
- Compliance: full compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, USP<856> , EP, and JP regulations
- Adaptability: use the instrument as a standalone, or in a client/server environment
The advantages of NIR spectroscopy (NIRS) over IR spectroscopy are:
- The intensity of the bands are lower with NIRS. Thus, there is less detector saturation. This means that for solids you can use pure samples and for liquids the standard method is to use 8 mm vials.
- The energy of the light is higher with NIRS. This leads to deeper sample penetration. This means you can obtain information about the bulk of the sample and not just the surface.
- NIRS can be used for quantification and identification, wheras IR is almost exclusively used for identification.
- NIRS works with fiber optics, which means it can also be used directly in the process.
Learn more about the differences between NIRS and IR in our blog:
The OMNIS NIR Analyser Liquid/Solid allows for both measurements of solid samples in reflection and measurements of liquid samples in transmission. The instrument can switch conveniently between both measurement modes and no changes in hardware are required. This means that users have a high degree of flexibility and they save time and costs.
The OMNIS platform makes automated and completely unattended NIR measurements possible with the OMNIS NIR Analyser. There are two options, depending on the application and user preferences.
- The first option is automated measurements of up to more than 200 samples with closed vials for liquid or solid samples using the OMNIS Sample Robot NIR.
- The alternative for liquid samples is a flow-through cell set-up with an OMNIS Sample Robot, also allowing more than 200 samples to be processed and analysed in series in an unattended manner.
Both options lead to NIR Analyser setups with full walkaway capabilities.
The Metrohm OMNIS NIR Analyser series are instruments for the measurement of solid and liquid samples in the area of food & feed as well as chemical, pharma, polymer, and personal care. For food & feed, the OMNIS NIR Analyser is very suitable to measure moisture, protein, ash, fiber and fats. For edible oil, it can also determine the fatty acid spectrum, i.e. the distribution of the different saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic (C18:1) and linoleoic (C18:2) acid.
A large selection of NIR pre-calibrations are availabe with the OMNIS NIR Analyser. These pre-calibrations are based on numerous real product spectra which means you do not need to perform any sample analysis or model creation. You can use the Metrohm pre-calibrations directly and start using your OMNIS NIR Analyser immediately. Just unpack and you are ready to be successful.
Metrohm NIR pre-calibrations are available for different products and applications in the areas of polymer, chemicals and food & feed. Examples include:
- PE
- PP
- PET
- PA6
- polyols
- isocyanaytes
- cannabis
- edible oil
- palm-oil
- coffee
- flour
- milk powder
The OMNIS Software includes algorithms such as PCA, PLS, and SVM, enabling users to develop models with high accuracy and robustness. Visualisation of sample properties in score, loading, and influence plots simplifies method development and allows users to extract the maximum value from their data, all while maintaining an intuitive workflow.
Furthermore, the OMNIS Software allows the combination of multiple model types to further increase accuracy and expand application possibilities. For example, identification models can be structured into multiple sub-identification models to distinguish even more similar substances, while sub-quantification models can be built for specific concentration ranges to improve accuracy.
Creation of prediction models can be a challenging task for two reasons.
- It requires samples with known reference values for the training set, to serve as a basis for the model development. These samples should cover the expected range for the parameter of interest.
- In order to create a prediction model from these samples, a technique called chemometrics, or multivariate data analysis, needs to be applied. This usually requires that the user has knowledge of chemometrics.
With the OMNIS NIR Analyser series, everybody can develop prediction models with the OMD (OMNIS Model Developer) and no knowledge of chemometrics is required. The OMD is started with one click in the software and it creates prediction models automatically and without any further user interaction. These models can be saved and immediately used for routine measurements. When more samples have been measured, these models can also be easily updated at a later stage.
NIR spectroscopy: The efficiency boost for QC labs
This e-book provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic of fast quality control using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The e-book presents basic information about the technology and its implementation as well as concrete application examples from various industries (chemical, pharmaceutical, polymer, petro).