Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) services

With experienced chemists and ecotoxicologists, a broad expertise and quality awareness, we can offer solutions that include sampling, analysis and interpretation of results. We analyze a large number of components in air (indoorexternal link, opens in new window and outdoor), precipitation, water, soil and sediment. We analyze a large number of organic compounds in various sample types, including volatile hydrocarbons, "conventional" pollutants and "new" chemicals, including pharmaceuticals. IVL has a large expertise regarding analysis of total mercury and methyl mercury in low concentrations in all sample types and the analysis that we perform frequently is accredited by Swedac. Tests of the toxic effects on terrestrial and aquatic organisms are carried out in our biological testing laboratories.

We offer a variety of measurements for both emissions as well as the state of different environmental settings and matrices. Our measurement expertise spans virtually all areas of society, from industrial processes and mobile emission sources to workplaces and cities. We also monitor the state of the natural environment and charts pathways for chemicals, using various screening methods. We can analyse a large and rare number of substances. We use a variety of different measurement methods, from simple diffusive samplers to advanced measurement systems. Examples of the latter is "real-world" measurements using remote sensing technology for emissions in real traffic and process optimization, in which we can use acoustic chemometrics in order to determine the composition of the process fluid online and thus control the process better.

We offer services regarding sustainable buildings, waste management and energy system. Our expertise lies within economic, environmental and societal sustainability and we apply our expertise in products, buildings, regions, waste management and energy systems. We conduct research regarding energy efficiency improvement and energy systems in cities, and among other things we can analyse how a sustainable city should be built from a resource, climate and environmental perspective. Waste statistics and waste handling are growing expert areas. We study consequences and can from such studies either develop systems and show solutions for waste prevention and management.

Socio-economics examines the allocation of society"s resources and the associated impact on society. Through socio-economic analysis we identify, assess and report on the pros and cons of actions on society. We work at the intersection between politics, industry and environment and often work to answers questions such as: How are businesses affected by environmental policy? How can one compare the effectiveness of different incentive instruments? What role does or should business have in shaping environmental policy? We study environmental policies and instruments at the international, national and local level, and are engaged in research on the interaction between industry and policy-makers. We work actively as well on formulating recommendations to strengthen policy measures. We work with both public and private actors.

With current and future environmental laws, it is vital for companies, municipalities and organizations to understand and improve their products" environmental impact, and this can be done through systems analysis. We offer analysis of social, economic and ecological aspects of sustainability and we base our research on a holistic perspective. In our calculations we take into account the entire life cycle of a product, from the use of natural resources, through manufacturing and product use to recycling and waste management. The results can be used as a basis for strategic decisions, marketing communication and investment.