HPLC Analysis for Startups & Small Companies

Flexible contract HPLC analysis without the need to build an analytical laboratory in-house.

SDE Chemicals provides HPLC-UV analysis, method development, and analytical support for startups, small businesses, and growing companies that need reliable chemical data without maintaining dedicated chromatography equipment and personnel. Whether you have a single development project, an unfamiliar sample, or an ongoing analytical need, we can help determine an appropriate approach for your compound and objectives.

Analytical Capability When You Need It

Access to analytical chemistry can become a bottleneck when developing a new product, process, or chemical technology. Purchasing and maintaining HPLC instrumentation requires equipment, laboratory space, consumables, trained personnel, and time for method development.

For companies that do not need a full-time analytical laboratory, contract analysis can provide access to HPLC capabilities on a project-by-project or recurring basis. SDE Chemicals works with clients to understand the analytical question first, then scopes the testing around the compound, sample matrix, available information, and desired result.

How We Can Support Your Development Work

Quantitative HPLC Analysis

Measure target-compound concentrations using appropriate reference standards and calibration procedures.

Purity & Impurity Analysis

Evaluate chromatographic purity, compare samples, and investigate secondary peaks or changes in sample composition.

HPLC Method Development

Develop chromatographic conditions for compounds and samples that do not have a suitable established analytical method.

Existing Method Transfer & Adaptation

Already have a published method, supplier procedure, or previous HPLC method? We can evaluate whether it can be adapted to your samples and analytical requirements.

Reaction & Process Monitoring

Analyze samples collected throughout experiments or development work to track reactant consumption, product formation, degradation, or other compositional changes.

Product & Formulation Development

Compare experimental samples and formulations to understand changes in target analytes or chromatographic profiles during development.

Troubleshooting & Investigations

Investigate unexpected results, additional chromatographic peaks, inconsistent samples, or other analytical questions encountered during development.

Recurring Analysis

Once an appropriate method is established, repeat analytical work can support ongoing development, production, or quality-related needs.

From Analytical Question to Results

1

Tell Us What You Need to Learn

Send us information about your compound, samples, approximate concentrations, and the question you're trying to answer. You don't need to arrive with a fully developed analytical protocol.

2

We Review the Project

We'll evaluate the analytical objective, available methods or literature, reference standards, sample preparation requirements, and whether HPLC-UV is an appropriate technique.

3

Analysis & Method Work

Samples are analyzed using an existing, adapted, or newly developed method depending on the project requirements.

4

Receive Useful Analytical Data

Deliverables can include chromatograms, calibration data, calculated concentrations, method conditions, peak information, and supporting observations appropriate to the project.

You Don't Need an Established HPLC Method

Many early-stage projects do not have a finished analytical procedure. If you have a journal article, supplier method, previous chromatogram, partial procedure, or simply information about the compound you're working with, send it along. We can evaluate the available information and determine what additional method development may be necessary.

When no suitable method exists, custom HPLC method development and optimization is available.

Start Small and Scale the Analysis With Your Project

Exploratory Testing

Start with a small number of samples to determine whether an analytical approach is suitable before committing to a larger study.

Development Projects

Use HPLC throughout product, formulation, reaction, or process development as analytical questions arise.

Recurring Testing

Transition an established analytical workflow into repeat testing as sample volume or production needs increase.

Direct Collaboration

Discuss analytical questions directly with us rather than selecting a test from a fixed catalog without knowing whether it fits your project.

What You Can Expect

Flexible Project Scope

Projects can range from a small exploratory sample set to recurring analytical work.

Method-Focused Analysis

Methods can be adapted or developed around your target compound, sample matrix, and analytical requirements.

Clear Documentation

Depending on project scope, results can include chromatograms, quantitative results, calibration data, method conditions, and other supporting analytical information.

Straightforward Communication

We'll discuss sample requirements, analytical limitations, unexpected results, and follow-up work directly with you throughout the project.

Nationwide Support, With a Local Advantage

We work with startups and small companies across the country — samples ship to us easily, and most projects are coordinated entirely by email. We're also based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and offer local sample drop-off for qualifying companies in the area.

Learn About Michigan HPLC Services →

Frequently Asked Questions

We don't have an HPLC method. Can you still help?

Yes. Existing methods are helpful but not required. We can evaluate published literature, information about your compound, and your analytical objective to determine whether method development is appropriate.

Can we start with only a few samples?

Yes. Small exploratory projects can be useful for determining whether an analytical approach is suitable before expanding into a larger sample set.

Can you work from a published method?

Yes. Literature methods can often provide a useful starting point, although adjustments may be necessary for available instrumentation, columns, sample matrices, or analytical objectives.

What if we're not sure what analysis we need?

Tell us what you're trying to determine rather than trying to specify the analytical method yourself. We'll review the project and let you know whether HPLC-UV is appropriate.

Can analysis continue as our company grows?

Yes. Projects can progress from initial exploratory analysis or method development into recurring testing once an appropriate analytical workflow has been established.

What should we send when requesting a quote?

Useful information includes your target compound, sample matrix, approximate concentration, number of samples, available reference standards, existing methods or literature, and the analytical question you're trying to answer.

Need HPLC Capability Without Building a Lab?

Tell us about your compound, samples, development project, and what you're trying to determine. We'll review the project and help determine an appropriate analytical approach.

SDE Chemicals provides R&D analytical services, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with samples accepted nationwide.