Microplastics Analysis with ISO 16094-2 using Bruker LUMOS II FT-IR Microscope

Microplastics ISO 16094-2:2025

The New Standard for Microplastics Analysis in Water

Microplastics in water are no longer an invisible problem. With the introduction of ISO 16094-2:2025, there is finally an international standard for analyzing microplastics in water samples with low solid concentrations, such as drinking water or source water.

But the standard alone is not enough. To achieve truly reliable, reproducible results, you need the right technology. The Bruker LUMOS II FT-IR microscope – combined with the new OPUS MP-ID function – sets a new benchmark for speed, precision, and ease of use.

MP-ID: Smart AI for Microplastics Analysis

The Microplastic Identifier (MP-ID) in OPUS 9 is a fully integrated software module that automatically processes hyperspectral data and identifies polymers using deep learning.

Key Benefits:

• Fully automatic recognition of >15 polymer types (PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, PA, PU, etc.)
• No more manual library comparison: MP-ID uses models trained on real LUMOS II data
• Fast and robust analysis, even with contamination or degraded polymers
• Transparent results in the form of classification maps, HIT scores, and statistics
• Compliant with international regulations: designed according to ISO 16094-2, ISO 24187, and EU 2024/1441

Thanks to MP-ID, a complex hyperspectral image transforms into a clear, reproducible analysis result — completely within one software environment.

New Microplastics Sample Holder: Three Filters, One Workflow

The new A681 Microplastics Sample Holder makes analysis faster and more efficient:

• 3 positions for Ø25 mm filters – ideal for background + 2 samples/duplicates
• Magnetic mounting frames with RFID chip for error-free, fast changes
• Suitable for transmission and reflection
• Fully compatible with LUMOS II, HYPERION II, and SENTERRA II FT-IR and Raman microscopes

Result: Higher throughput, fewer manual steps, and consistent positioning for repeated measurements.

Key USPs of LUMOS II for Microplastics

• Detection of particles down to 5 µm
• Full filter imaging – no particle is missed
• Up to 500 spectra per second at high resolution
• Supports transmission, ATR, and reflection
• Resistant to matrix noise – even with complex environmental samples

Together with MP-ID, the LUMOS II forms the most complete solution for ISO 16094-2-compliant microplastics analysis.

Conclusion

The combination of LUMOS II, OPUS MP-ID, and the multi-position sample holder offers laboratories a powerful, future-proof workflow for microplastics analysis:

Faster thanks to AI-driven data evaluation More reliable through automatic identification and validation ISO-compliant and ready for upcoming regulations User-friendly and fully integrated into one platform

Bruker LUMOS II – the smart choice for those who truly want to understand microplastics.

Interested in learning more about microplastics analysis solutions? Contact us for a demonstration or consultation.