Case Study
Tailored Cleaning Agent Solutions for Australian Businesses
Our chemical testing expertise empowers Australian businesses to overcome complex challenges in developing and optimising high-performance cleaning agents. From industrial manufacturers to eco-focused retailers and commercial cleaning services, our clients seek to enhance product efficacy, navigate Australia’s stringent chemical regulations, manage technical R&D risk, and ensure sustainable production.
We tackle these issues by leveraging advanced analytical techniques, such as gas chromatography and spectroscopy, to conduct precise formulation analysis and support informed product innovation. Our rigorous testing ensures top-tier performance and consistency across diverse applications, while our regulatory expertise guarantees compliance with the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) and other Australian standards.
By optimising formulations for cost-effective manufacturing and supporting the sourcing of local, sustainable ingredients, we help clients launch competitive products that meet market demands, focusing on technical excellence and operational efficiency. The following case studies showcase how we’ve transformed technical challenges into successes for Australian businesses, delivering tailored solutions that drive growth and stability.
Melbourne Industrial Degreaser
The manufacturer aimed to develop a cost-effective, high-performance industrial degreaser comparable to leading market products. They sought to achieve strong cleaning power while ensuring full compliance with Australia’s environmental and workplace safety standards — an important factor for their growing base of eco-conscious clients.
- Precise formulation analysis
- Original Formulation Development
- Eco-Compliant Scalability
Sydney Eco-Friendly All-Purpose Cleaner
Problem: The retailer aimed to introduce an eco-friendly all-purpose cleaner but faced technical challenges in formulating a product that could meet specific efficacy targets (e.g., stain removal, stability) while ensuring full compliance with Australia’s chemical safety laws and using sustainable ingredients to meet consumer demand.
- Targeted Formula Analysis
- Eco-Friendly Innovation
- Regulatory and Cost Optimization
Optimizing a Glass Cleaner for a Brisbane-Based Commercial Cleaning Service
Problem: The cleaning service faced a challenge in maintaining profitability due to high operational costs. They needed a cost-effective, high-performance glass cleaner solution that could consistently deliver a streak-free result, fully comply with Australia’s chemical regulations (AICIS), and be readily produced at scale for their growing client base.
- Targeted Formula Analysis
- Innovative Anti-Static Solution
- Regulatory and Cost Optimization
Detailed Analysis
Real Solutions for Small Cosmetic Brands: Ingredient Clarity, Product Consistency, and Risk Control
Small cosmetic manufacturers often face critical challenges—unclear ingredient composition from OEM suppliers, inconsistent product quality across batches, and unexpected customer complaints. Labsure provides practical, fast, and cost-effective testing services to help you identify ingredients, monitor consistency, and investigate issues with confidence. Here are three real-world case studies demonstrating how we support small brands to stay in control and grow stronger.
Know What’s Inside: Verifying Ingredient Content in OEM-Formulated Serums
A small contract skincare maker in Adelaide Hills (Papaver Pty Ltd) produced a limited-run brightening serum but wasn’t sure whether it contained the claimed niacinamide / bakuchiol levels.
- Performed LC-MS/MS analysis to quantify niacinamide and screen for other active ingredients.
- Compared three production batches to check consistency.
- Identified one batch with only 2.1% niacinamide, raising red flags.
- Helped the brand renegotiate terms with the supplier and correct product labeling.
Product Smells Off? Identifying Raw Material Degradation in Natural Lotion
A Melbourne-based natural skincare brand received customer complaints about unusual odor and oiliness in one batch of lotion. They suspected raw material degradation but lacked testing capability.
- Conducted fatty acid profiling and oxidation byproducts analysis (GC-MS).
- Detected elevated free fatty acids in the jojoba oil used in that batch.
- Confirmed the raw material quality issue and recommended supplier change.
- Helped the brand establish a simple incoming material screening protocol.
Customer Allergy Complaint? Quickly Identifying Problematic Ingredients
A Gold Coast small-batch factory’s new face cream received a few allergy reports; client needed to identify allergenic ingredients and maintain brand reputation.
- Targeted quantitative testing of known allergens (e.g. coumarin, citronellol, phenoxyethanol).
- Found geraniol concentration exceeded IFRA guidelines and was not disclosed on the label.
- Advised temporary product recall and reformulation.
- Helped update labeling and ensured future compliance with IFRA and ACCC guidelines.
Conclusion & Insights
Solving Coating Industry Challenges with Smart Chemistry
From waterproofing failures to mismatched color stability and poorly dispersed pigments, small and mid-sized coating manufacturers often lack the resources to diagnose and solve formulation issues. At Labsure, We help regional coating businesses identify performance issues, meet technical specifications, and lower costs—through analytical investigation, material analysis and R&D‑focused formulation recommendations.
Restoring Waterproofing Performance in Harsh Western Conditions
A small Perth-based waterproofing coating manufacturer faced customer complaints about peeling and poor adhesion, especially after heavy rain exposure. Internal staff suspected a formulation flaw but couldn’t pinpoint the issue.
- Identified incorrect polymer ratios using formulation analysis.
- Discovered low molecular weight additives causing film brittleness.
- Adjusted polymer binder and plasticizer composition to improve flexibility.
- Conducted water-resistance and cross-hatch adhesion testing to validate new formula.
Fixing Color Inconsistency in Water-Based Interior Paints
A regional paint producer outside Melbourne struggled with shade inconsistencies across batches of interior wall paint. Even after following the same mixing process, customers noticed color mismatches after drying.
- Detected pigment flocculation during storage through accelerated stability testing.
- Recommended dispersant change to prevent pigment clustering.
- Added co-solvent and wetting agent to improve dispersion uniformity.
- Standardized mixing sequence and time with lab-to-plant transfer protocol.
Eliminating Premature Rusting in Budget Metal Coatings
A small-scale industrial coating producer near Brisbane reported early rust development in their outdoor metal primer within just 6 months of application.
- Performed corrosion analysis and salt spray testing—found insufficient anti-corrosive additive dosage.
- Swapped generic zinc phosphate with modified zinc molybdate for stronger protection.
- Adjusted pigment volume concentration (PVC) to improve barrier effect.
- Introduced a two-layer system: primer + topcoat with balanced film thickness.
Our Expertise
Smarter Water Treatment, Safer Industry —— Real-World Case Studies in Industrial Water Solutions
From corrosion in closed-loop systems to scaling in high-demand cooling towers and microbial risks in wastewater recycling — Labsure partners with regional industries to identify problems at the molecular level and design practical, compliant solutions. Our water treatment expertise helps reduce downtime, ensure regulatory compliance, and extend equipment lifespan, especially for SMEs in fast-growing industrial suburbs.
Hard Water, No Hard Stops — Anti-Scaling That Works Without Shutdown
An industrial bakery in Wagga Wagga, NSW was battling severe scale buildup in its evaporative cooling tower. Scaling led to poor heat exchange, increased energy usage, and risks of biofilm development. The client had tried several off-the-shelf descalers, which either damaged metal parts or required system shutdown for application — both unacceptable for their 24/7 production.
- Water Chemistry Audit – Analyzed incoming water hardness and key ion ratios.
- Formulated Custom Chelating Agent – Non-corrosive and food-safe.
- In-Line Dosing Strategy – Continuous low-dose treatment with no downtime.
- Biofilm-Inhibiting Surfactants – Reduced microbial adhesion and improved energy efficiency.
Invisible Threats, Visible Solutions — Corrosion-Free Water Systems
A pharmaceutical packaging facility in Dandenong South, VIC had unexplained rust formation in its closed-loop chilled water system. This threatened both HVAC efficiency and cleanroom compliance. Initial lab tests elsewhere had failed to isolate the cause.
- Ion Trace Analysis – Detected high chloride and copper ions from incompatible piping.
- Reformulated Inhibitor Blend – Targeted multi-metal system with low toxicity.
- In-Situ Leak Check Protocol – Identified and replaced two key leaking valve joints.
- Operator Training & Dosing Schedule – Prevented future imbalance and saved $40K/year in equipment costs.
From Waste to Water — Safe Irrigation Starts with Smarter Chemistry
A dairy processor near Toowoomba, QLD needed to recycle greywater for nearby pasture irrigation, but failed E. coli and turbidity tests delayed approvals. They lacked the testing capability to pinpoint microbial persistence or optimize their disinfection stage.
- Biological Load Mapping – Identified biofilms as persistent microbial hotspots.
- Optimized Coagulation-Flocculation System – Improved solids removal and clarity.
- UV Dose Calibration – Matched dose curve to real-time water quality metrics.
- Regulatory Pathway Support – Delivered documentation for local EPA reuse approval within 4 weeks.
Our Expertise
High-Performance, Low-Risk: Tailored Surfactant Solutions for Modern Industry
In the evolving landscape of cleaning, personal care, and industrial formulations, surfactants are under increasing scrutiny for environmental and safety compliance—especially in Australia’s regulatory climate. Labsure has helped companies across regional industrial zones reformulate or troubleshoot surfactant systems to reduce irritation, improve biodegradability, and enhance performance—all while meeting local compliance standards.
Mild Yet Mighty — Reformulating a Hand Soap for Skin-Friendliness
A private-label cosmetics manufacturer faced growing complaints about skin irritation from their flagship hand soap, sold through pharmacies and retail chains. Though the product was marketed as “mild,” the surfactant system (SLES + Cocamide DEA) was outdated and under regulatory pressure due to potential allergenicity and contamination concerns.
- Irritation Risk Assessment & Comparative Benchmarking Used HET-CAM & in-vitro dermal testing to quantify skin compatibility versus competitors.
- Reformulation with Mild, Sulfate-Free Surfactant System Replaced SLES/DEA with a mix of Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate + Decyl Glucoside + mild foaming boosters.
- Biodegradability & Clean Label Enhancements Selected naturally derived ingredients meeting COSMOS/ECOCERT standard.
- Stability & Packaging Compatibility Testing Validated shelf stability with essential oils and clear bottle formats.
Stable in Storage, Strong in Solution — A Surfactant Success Story
A specialty chemical blender faced increasing complaints about product instability in a multipurpose cleaner concentrate. After 4–6 weeks of storage, layers formed due to surfactant incompatibility, especially in cooler climates. This led to high return rates and customer dissatisfaction.
- Conducted surfactant system compatibility mapping under thermal cycling tests.
- Replaced one of the ethoxylated surfactants with a more temperature-tolerant block copolymer.
- Added a small amount of hydrotrope to support microemulsion stability.
- Delivered shelf-stability extension from 6 weeks to 12+ months.
Custom surfactant blend enables low-foam performance in CIP cleaning.
A food processing plant’s cleaning chemical supplier needed a formulation suitable for Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems. Their current blend caused excessive foam, interfering with pump systems and prolonging rinse cycles. However, defoamers had limited effect, and reducing surfactants degraded cleaning power.
- Reformulated with low-foam nonionic surfactants (e.g., EO/PO block copolymers).
- Balanced with synergistic builders to maintain soil removal without raising foam.
- Optimized surfactant ratios through foam pressure profiling at 60°C.
- Validated cleaning efficiency using SS304 soil load coupon tests.
Our Expertise
Adhesive Innovation Unlocked — Real-World Formulation Breakthroughs from Australian SMEs
Facing pressure from global competitors and demanding end-users, many Australian adhesive manufacturers struggle to benchmark or optimise high-performance formulations. From tackling delamination in hot environments to reformulating for VOC compliance or reducing curing times—Labsure helps local producers stay competitive by performing advanced analysis on complex adhesive systems and delivering practical, lab-tested upgrades.
Heat-Resistant Flooring Adhesive Reformulation (WA)
A Perth-based adhesive company producing flooring glue for commercial buildings received repeated complaints of adhesive softening and joint failure in high-temperature summer months. The original supplier of their base resin had changed formulation without notice.
- Formulation analysis: Identified missing high-Tg resin component and elevated plasticizer levels.
- Reformulated Base: Replaced incompatible polymer with an alternative resin (Tg > 90°C).
- Thermal & Shear Testing: Validated improved heat stability and peel strength.
- Failure Rate Reduction: Product complaints dropped by >75% within 3 months.
VOC-Compliant Wood Glue for Export (VIC)
A Melbourne-based workshop adhesive supplier failed VOC compliance for a new wood glue line destined for the EU. Their in-house R&D team lacked the tools to quantify volatile solvents accurately or suggest safer substitutes.
- VOC Profile Analysis: Used GC-MS to map all volatile components.
- Green Solvent Substitution: Proposed acetone-free alternatives with similar flash points.
- Viscosity Stabilization: characterise with rheology modifiers to match original handling.
- Export Approval: Product passed EU emission tests and resumed exports, saving $160K/year in lost sales.
Fast-Cure Epoxy Packaging Failure (QLD)
A Brisbane-based epoxy glue manufacturer had packaging failures due to unexpected curing inside tubes, resulting in customer loss and wasted product. They suspected a raw material problem but lacked means to verify.
- Root Cause Analysis: Detected trace amine contaminant in hardener via LC-MS.
- Supplier Audit: Identified contamination source from bulk storage tank.
- Stabilizer Additive System: Introduced delayed-activation inhibitor to extend shelf life.
- Waste Reduction: Reduced returned product>60%, saving ~$30K quarterly.