Deformulation
Xinbodi is an industry leader in deformulation—also known as reverse engineering. We separate, identify, and (when feasible) quantify ingredients in complex formulations to support competitive benchmarking, troubleshooting, supplier comparison, product improvement, and technical due diligence.
What Is Deformulation?
Deformulation is the analytical process of breaking down a formulated product into its individual components. Using customized extractions and specialized instrumental techniques, we identify the chemical nature of ingredients and determine their relative levels. Components may include polymers/resins, solvents, plasticizers, fillers, stabilizers, lubricants, antioxidants, flame retardants, surfactants, or active ingredients.
While it is not always practical to produce a complete “cookbook recipe,” in most cases our analysis identifies both major and minor components and provides actionable composition insight aligned with your project goals.
Deformulation is often the next step after compositional analysis, when you need a more complete understanding of a product’s formulation and the roles of its key ingredients.
Why Companies Use Reverse Engineering Results
Our clients apply deformulation results to solve real-world business and technical challenges:
- Competitive product characterization and benchmarking
- Product improvement and performance optimization
- Batch-to-batch variation and supplier comparison
- “Good” vs. “bad” sample comparison for defect reduction
- Technical due diligence and IP-related legal cases (supporting evidence)
Deformulation Examples
Xinbodi scientists have successfully deformulated a wide variety of products and materials, including:
- Pharmaceuticals: topicals, gels, creams, ointments, tablets
- Plastics: PP, PE, PMMA, Nylon, PU, flexible/rigid PVC, copolymers & blends
- Specialty products: multilayer films, high-temperature engineered materials
- Coatings: paints, architectural coatings, finishes
- Adhesives & sealants: PSA, hot melt, waterborne; epoxy, PU, silicone
- Rubber products: NR, EPDM, TPE, Neoprene, SIS, SBS, NBR, EVA, PUR, silicone
- Medical devices and related materials
- Detergents & cleaners: consumer and industrial formulations
- Textiles: garments, upholstery applications
- Inks: printing, packaging, specialty inks
- Composites: glass/carbon filled, Kevlar reinforced, engineered composites
- Home, health & beauty products
Typical Deformulation Workflow
While each project is customized, deformulation often follows a structured approach:
- Goal definition: what you need to learn and how results will be used
- Screening & material family confirmation: rapid fingerprinting to guide the plan
- Targeted extraction/fractionation: separate organics/inorganics and additive fractions
- Component identification: confirm components with complementary techniques
- Quantitation: estimate or quantify key components where feasible
- Interpretation: link formulation differences to performance or failure modes
Standard projects: 5–10 working days
Rush service may be available depending on scope.
Compositional Analysis
Deformulation
Failure Analysis
Impurities Analysis
Surface Analysis
Composition & Materials ID
Materials Characterization
Key Techniques Used in Deformulation
Xinbodi’s deformulation laboratory uses multiple techniques to separate and identify components with high confidence. Typical methods include:
- GC/MS
- LC/MS
- FTIR
- NMR
- ICP (ICP-OES / ICP-MS)
- TGA
- DSC
Method selection depends on what is known about the sample, target components, required detection limits, sample form (solid/liquid/multilayer), and whether destructive testing is allowed.
What You Will Receive
Deliverables are tailored to your goal (benchmarking, troubleshooting, improvement, or supplier evaluation). A typical report may include:
- Major and minor component identification with supporting evidence
- Quantitative or semi-quantitative results where feasible
- Extraction strategy and test methods used
- Comparison between samples (competitor vs. internal, good vs. bad, supplier A vs. B)
- Conclusions and practical recommendations for next steps
Note: The achievable level of quantitation depends on formulation complexity, proprietary additives, and available reference standards. We will recommend a practical plan aligned with your objectives.
Why Choose Us for Deformulation?
Every deformulation project is executed with a structured analytical strategy and clear reporting to support technical and competitive decision-making.
Extensive experience in reverse engineering complex formulations
Proven expertise across polymers, coatings, adhesives, rubber, and pharmaceuticals
Customized extraction and separation strategies for difficult materials
Multi-technique analysis to identify both major and minor components
Practical insight into additive systems and formulation design logic
Reliable comparison of competitor, supplier, and “good vs. bad” samples
High confidentiality for proprietary formulations and IP-sensitive projects
Actionable interpretation focused on application and performance, not just data