PerkinElmer backs eXXpedition plastic pollution mission with FTIR tech

By AI, Created 5:15 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – PerkinElmer has partnered with eXXpedition to support a global sailing mission that is mapping ocean plastic pollution back to its land-based sources. The collaboration brings FTIR spectroscopy and sampling tools to the expedition as researchers collect data that could inform ocean policy, environmental monitoring and human-health protections.

Why it matters: - The partnership links analytical science with field research on plastic pollution, a problem that affects ocean health, food systems and human well-being. - The data from eXXpedition’s mission is intended to help researchers and policymakers better understand how plastics move through the environment and where interventions can be targeted. - The work could improve the quality of microplastics research by producing more reliable and comparable datasets.

What happened: - PerkinElmer announced a partnership with eXXpedition, an all-women global sailing research organization focused on plastic pollution in the marine environment. - The announcement came as eXXpedition’s latest mission moved into its second leg. - PerkinElmer is equipping the mission with FTIR spectroscopy technology, polymer spectral libraries and sampling accessories. - The collaboration is aimed at analyzing microplastics collected at sea and on land.

The details: - eXXpedition’s current mission is designed to produce the first global study mapping ocean plastic pollution back to its sources on land. - FTIR spectroscopy can identify different types of plastic in ocean samples quickly and accurately. - The technology helps scientists identify the chemical composition of microplastics collected from seawater. - FTIR also helps distinguish between polymer types and possible sources of pollution. - The method supports robust datasets that can inform environmental policy and innovation. - eXXpedition was founded by ocean advocate and skipper Emily Penn. - The organization combines offshore sailing expeditions with scientific sampling, policy engagement and public education. - Crew members collect water samples in remote ocean regions to study microplastics, persistent organic pollutants and chemical signatures linked to plastic waste. - The team also investigates litter, consumer goods packaging and waste management infrastructure on land. - PerkinElmer said the partnership reflects a commitment to sustainability through science, innovation and partnerships. - Michael Stubblefield, CEO of PerkinElmer, said the collaboration highlights the importance of credible science and cross-sector collaboration to understand plastic movement through the environment and protect the planet and human health. - PerkinElmer’s sustainability portfolio includes products and services for environmental monitoring, materials characterization and clean-energy research. - The company said these technologies help scientists, regulators and industry assess environmental risks and accelerate the transition to more sustainable systems. - PerkinElmer said FTIR analysis is a cornerstone of many microplastics research workflows. - More information is available on PerkinElmer’s website and eXXpedition’s site.

Between the lines: - The partnership positions PerkinElmer’s lab tools as part of a broader sustainability story, not just a product announcement. - eXXpedition adds a research platform with public-facing credibility, which can help translate technical findings into policy and behavior change. - The collaboration also reinforces the push to connect ocean debris to land-based waste systems, where many prevention efforts start.

What’s next: - eXXpedition will continue the mission and expand its sampling as the voyage progresses. - Researchers will use the collected samples and FTIR analysis to build evidence on the sources and pathways of plastic pollution. - The resulting findings are expected to support future environmental policy, innovation and public education efforts.

The bottom line: - PerkinElmer is using the partnership to place its analytical technology at the center of a global effort to trace plastic pollution from the ocean back to land.