NIR Laboratory Measuring Devices from Harrer & Kassen

About the company

Harrer & Kassen GmbH is a German manufacturer of high-precision analytical equipment with a focus on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. The company specializes in developing and producing devices for fast and non-destructive material analysis in both laboratory and production environments. Founded to ensure quality in the food, pharmaceutical, and other industries, Harrer & Kassen offers innovative solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with ease of use to optimize quality control processes.

The Importance of Laboratory Measurements in Production Processes

Laboratory measurements are a critical component of production processes, enabling real-time quality control of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products. They detect even the slightest deviations in chemical composition (e.g., moisture, fat, or protein content), preventing defects, optimizing resource use, and ensuring compliance with strict regulatory standards (such as in the food or pharmaceutical industries). With NIR technology, such measurements are performed quickly and without sample destruction, seamlessly integrating into the production chain to enhance efficiency and safety.

Specifications of HK11, HK12, particuLAB

• HK11: Compact stationary NIR spectrometer for laboratory analysis. Wavelength range: 900–1700 nm. Supports analysis of powders, pastes, liquids, and solids. Key parameters: moisture, fat, protein, starch. Automatic calibration, PC integration. Easy to operate with minimal sample preparation.

• HK12: Portable NIR analyzer for mobile measurements. Wavelength range: 950–1650 nm. Analyzes bulk materials, granules, and liquids on-site. Features: fast scanning (under 30 s), wireless data transfer, moisture protection (IP54). Ideal for field and lab testing with accuracy of ±0.1%.

• particuLAB: Modular laboratory device for detailed particle analysis. Range: 800–2500 nm. Specializes in pharmaceutical mixtures and powders. Features: combined NIR + Raman spectroscopy, automatic particle size determination, LIMS integration. Provides high resolution for complex matrices.

Applications of Laboratory Analytical Devices

Laboratory NIR devices are used for rapid sample analysis with minimal preparation: powders (milk powder), pastes, liquids (milk), and solid materials (granules). They perform non-destructive measurements of complex parameters such as moisture, fat, protein, or active ingredient content. The technology is based on illuminating the sample with a halogen lamp, capturing diffuse reflection/transmission of light, and comparing spectra with reference data to generate an absorption profile. This enables accurate analyses in laboratory conditions without complex chemical methods.

Key Advantages

• Non-destructive: Analysis without damaging the sample for fast results.

• Simplicity: Minimal sample preparation and intuitive operation.

• Speed and accuracy: Detection of minimal composition changes using advanced algorithms.

• Versatility: Support for various sample types and system integration.

• Cost-efficiency: Reduced time and resource costs compared to traditional methods.

Main Areas of Use

NIR laboratory devices from Harrer & Kassen are widely used in the food industry (quality control of milk, grains, meat), pharmaceuticals (analysis of mixtures and tablets), chemical industry (raw material testing), and agriculture (feed analysis). They are essential for laboratory quality control, materials science, and R&D where high accuracy and speed are required across diverse conditions.