Shimadzu Launches Combustion IC System for PFAS Analysis

Shimadzu has launched a new combustion ion chromatograph system for total PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) screening and other environmental analytical applications. Released on 1 September 2026 in Japan and overseas, the fully integrated system combines the AQF-5000H automatic quick furnace from Nittoseiko Analytech, the Shimadzu IC-150 ion chromatograph and the new C-IC Solution software, with an EPA Method 1621-compliant template for adsorbable organic fluorine analysis.

PFAS compounds are widely characterised as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the natural environment, with more than 10,000 identified. PFOS and PFOA are the primary compounds associated with cancer and endocrine disruption health risks, driving stringent global regulatory analysis requirements for water and consumer products. Combustion ion chromatographs are ideal for rapid total PFAS screening, complementing higher-specificity approaches such as Shimadzu’s LCMS-8065XE high-performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. The technology is also used for confirming halogen-free status of electronic parts and measuring halogen, sulfur or other content in steel slag, plastics, rubber and coal.

The new C-IC Solution software provides a single interface for configuring analysis conditions, creating analysis schedules and managing measurement results. Smart data traceability keeps measurement data linked to analysis conditions and execution time, improving audit capability. The EPA Method 1621-compliant template for adsorbable organic fluorine screening allows laboratories to begin analysis immediately after installation. The launch builds on Shimadzu’s February 2026 Nexera IC release, further consolidating Shimadzu’s PFAS analytical portfolio against competitors Metrohm, Thermo Fisher (Dionex), Agilent Technologies and Waters Corporation.

The commercial signal is a rapidly expanding global PFAS analytics market where integrated hardware-software workflows and regulatory template compliance are becoming key competitive differentiators. As EPA and international PFAS regulation tightens, screening workflow efficiency directly influences laboratory throughput. Expect Metrohm, Thermo Fisher (Dionex), Agilent and Waters to sharpen their positioning across PFAS analytical workflows through the rest of 2026 and 2027.

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