CORPORATE
Overview
S er vi ce Beyond Ana ly s is
- July 31, 2019
AGAT Corporate Overview AGAT Laboratories is a highly specialized, Canadian-based company that provides analytical laboratory services worldwide. With over 40 years of experience, coast to coast locations and over 1,000 employees, AGAT Laboratories is the most geographically and technically diversified laboratory in Canada. Our scientists are highly skilled and specialized in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, geology, engineering and specialty analysis. AGAT Laboratories’ operations encompass multiple scientific divisions to offer full-service solutions to various industry types within the Environmental, Energy, Mining, Industrial, Transportation, AgriFood and Life Sciences sectors. AGAT Laboratories specializes in the following scientific areas; ▪ Environmental Chemistry
▪ Air Quality Monitoring
▪ Ultra-trace and Toxicology
▪ Petroleum Testing Services
▪ Agricultural Analysis
▪ Oilsands Analysis
▪ Food Testing
▪ Routine Core
▪ Geology and Petrology
▪ Mining Geochemistry
▪ Reservoir Characterization
▪ Lubricants Testing Services
AGAT Laboratories’ network of laboratory locations provides clients with cost-effective and timely analysis in which the most up-to-date technical standards are met. AGAT Laboratories is proud to set the standard for the laboratory industry, ensuring validity and accuracy of methodologies through our extensive quality assurance and quality control programs. With world-class facilities and state-of–the-art instrumentation, our qualified personnel adhere to AGAT Laboratories’ mission statement, delivering “Service Beyond Analysis”. Quality Assurance and Quality Control AGAT Laboratories employs quality assurance professionals whose mandate is the continuous improvement of our organization. Our Quality Assurance Division monitors the operations of the company and ensures compliance with the best-documented practices. This Division maintains a Quality Assurance System to ensure precision, accuracy and reliability in all of our services. These best practices are documented and consistent with industry-regulated standards. In addition, we conduct regular quality control checks on all instrumentation and our personnel regularly evaluate all methodologies and procedures for the continuous improvement of our services. Accreditation AGAT Laboratories is accredited for specific analyses by the following Accrediting Bodies; ▪ Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) ▪ Standards Council of Canada (SCC) ▪ Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ) AGAT Laboratories is accredited, for specific tests, to the following standard; ▪ ISO/IEC 17025:2017 AGAT laboratories is certified to the following standard; ▪ ISO 9001:2015 Page 1 of 7
The AGAT Advantage Experience For 40 years, we have operated under the philosophy of continuous advancement and are constantly strengthening all aspects of our business to provide service excellence. We work with our clients to develop new methodologies and services for innovations of science and technology. Health, Safety and the Environment Through our Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Program, we are committed to safeguarding the health and safety of our employees and clients. We provide all employees with the appropriate training to ensure that work is performed in accordance with the strictest government regulations. Our company also aims to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible, taking a “Green” approach to all of our analytical services. Our environmental monitoring systems work in conjunction with all of our initiatives so that we can lessen our environmental footprint while still providing optimal service. Client Project Managers A Client Project Manager is appointed to each of our client accounts. Highly-trained and qualified, these individuals act as a liaison between the clients and the laboratory. They are assigned to each project to ensure quality of service, interpreting results and fielding any technical questions that a client may have. Technical Information Seminars and Laboratory Tours AGAT Laboratories offers an extensive number of technical seminars and presentations for our clients. These seminars can be customized to client needs and are delivered in our training facilities or directly at the client’s office. Laboratory tours accompany in-house presentations and can be arranged to help our clients gain a clear understanding of the internal workings of our laboratory facilities. Research and Development Our Research and Development Program has seen more than sixty projects developed over the past few years alone. These projects have covered various divisions within the company. They represent initiatives designed to improve internal processes while continuing to offer new services to our clients. By embarking on this research and development initiative, AGAT Laboratories remains on the leadingedge of the laboratory industry. Instrumentation AGAT Laboratories invests heavily in instrumentation and continually address advances in analytical technology in every field. This approach allows for increases in process efficiencies and results in cost benefits for both the laboratory and our clients.
ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR AGAT Laboratories offers comprehensive services to environmental consultants, the environmental industry, government and any other clients that seek to conduct environmental monitoring or meet environmental regulations. Our services involve the analysis of air, water and soil for chemical species impacting ecological, agricultural and health and safety areas. We offer analyses from the following divisions: ▪ Environmental Chemistry: Expert analysis for environmental applications such as organic chemical analysis of water, groundwater, wastewater, soil, sediment sludge and solid waste. ▪ Ultra-trace and Toxicology: Trace analysis of harmful, persistent pollutants such as Dioxins, Furans, PCBs and PAHs from samples in varying environmental matrices. ▪ Air Quality Monitoring: Services are designed to assist clients in evaluating the effectiveness of their air quality management systems through source emissions testing, ambient air monitoring, meteorological monitoring, passive air monitoring and data acquisition. We employ a variety of environmental experts who are able to provide clients with concise results to meet specific guidelines regarding contamination and remediation. We understand that scientifically sound, legally defensible analytical data is a critical element to the success of an environmental project. As a result, our environmental laboratories utilize CCME, EPA, ASTM and NIOSH standard methods, as well as other industry methods, in accordance with both federal and provincial legislation.
MINING SECTOR AGAT Laboratories offers analytical services to support mining and mineral exploration companies in all stages of the mining process from exploration and development to environmental monitoring and restoration. Our Sample Preparation Department takes pride in ensuring the most homogeneous sub-sample is prepared for analysis. Depending on the type and size of the sample, common preparation procedures may include drying, crushing, pulverizing or screening of the sample. Our geochemistry services cover; multi-acid and aqua-regia digestions, sodium peroxide fusions and fire assay. We also offer specialty services in Leach technology, Lanthanide analysis, Acid-Base Accounting (ABA) and kinetic cell testing. With advanced instrumentation sub-ppb detection of geological data is accomplished for geological mapping, percent level analysis in grade studies and for purity analysis of the final metal product. Instrumental determinations are accomplished using the most advanced techniques and equipment including: ▪ Classical Assay Techniques
▪ ICP-MS-DRC
▪ Flame Atomic Absorption
▪ ICP-OES
▪ ICP-MS
Page 3 of 7
ENERGY SECTOR AGAT Laboratories offers a wide spectrum of laboratory services tailored to meet the needs and demands of the petroleum industry in upstream, midstream and downstream processes. Energy companies can also consolidate their environmental analysis and air quality monitoring programs with services from our Environmental divisions. We offer analysis to the energy sector from the following divisions: Petroleum Testing Services These services specialize in the analysis and characterization of natural gas, condensate, crude oil and produced water. Our strategically placed branch locations provide field sampling and testing services for regulatory measurement requirements, meter calibrations, pipeline specifications, routine sampling, corrosion monitoring and plant optimization. Rock Properties Divisions Oilsands Analysis: Our Oilsands Division provides analytical services for the mining, cold production and in-situ production of oil from heavy oil and tar sand reservoirs. Routine Core: We integrate geological and engineering approaches for our conventional core and special core analyses to effectively resolve any of our clients’ problems in the areas of drilling, completion and production. Our Routine Core Division prepares core for viewing and offers services such as permeability and porosity testing, fluid saturation, gamma ray and core imaging. Geology and Petrology: Data is obtained through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction analysis for drilling deposits and mineralogy studies. Reservoir Quality and Characterization: Our geologists, engineers and technicians offer a comprehensive quality analysis to aid in resolving potential reservoir quality and fluid sensitivity problems. We also offer clients a single and integrated source of geological and engineering data used in the development and management of petroleum reservoirs and in the oil recovery process. In addition, we proactively conduct tailing pond characterizations, with research and development programs in place to further our initiatives in this area.
INDUSTRIAL SECTOR AGAT Laboratories provides customizable analytical solutions for pulp and paper processing, chemical plants, metal manufacturing and infrastructure. Our Environmental Chemistry and Ultra-trace and Toxicology divisions assist companies in achieving environmental compliance with government regulations and in monitoring their pollution control systems for environmental sustainability. These services may include analysis for wastewater treatment, industrial waste reduction, gaseous emissions monitoring, industrial residual materials and more. Services we offer the industrial sector also include hygiene services to test indoor air quality, as well as working conditions to ensure employee health and safety. Specialty analyses that we offer include the following; ▪ Bulk Asbestos using polarized light microscopy. ▪ Chemical identification for product contaminants including; pH, conductivity, lead in paint and total dissolved solids.
▪ Failure analysis of equipment using diagnostic tools. ▪ Wear debris in metals. ▪ Industrial particulates.
AGAT Laboratories encourages clients from all industry types to approach us with any of their potential analytical needs. We offer customized laboratory solutions for projects of experimentation, investigation or assessment that may fall outside of the typical analytical parameters. Our partnerships with accredited sub-contractors provides us with the resources to complete any type of analysis with high quality results.
T R A N S P ORT A TION S E C TO R AGAT Laboratories’ Lubricants Testing Services specialize in a number of analytical tests to assist in mechanical diagnostic services for engines and instrumentation used in various industries. Our clients can also utilize services from our Environmental Chemistry and Air Quality Monitoring divisions for assistance in complying with environmental regulations or emissions monitoring. Our engine and fuel diagnostic services include the following; ▪ Oil Analysis: Examples of contaminants include dirt, water, glycol, metals and fuel. Not only does oil analysis provide insight into the mechanical condition of the component, it also determines the condition of the oil itself. This type of analysis can be used to determine maintenance strategies such as optimizing oil change frequencies, filter quality and efficiency. ▪ Coolant Analysis: Poor quality coolant will corrode significantly more metal surface on liners, coolers, heat exchangers, radiators and other affected components in a given time period. As a result, it is extremely important that coolant analysis is performed annually, or when a coolant problem is suspected. ▪ Failure Analysis: Involves the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), analytical ferrography, XRay Energy Spectroscopy (XES), X-Ray Diffraction and other analytical techniques. We also employ the use of SEM to investigate various deposits of minerals and other contaminants on engine components. This is done as a preventative maintenance procedure to avoid issues or engine failure. ▪ Contaminant Analysis: An investigation into lubricant contamination that can include fuel dilution, coolant leaks, free water, dust and dirt, process fluids, soot content and harmful acids. The regular analysis of lubricants for these contaminant conditions can predict and prevent failure. ▪ Aviation Fuel Certification: Fuel quality is vital to the safety of an aircraft. AGAT Laboratories offers Aviation Fuel Certification to ensure fuel meets relevant specifications and is free of unapproved additives.
LIFE SCIENCES SECTOR Protecting the health of consumers, employees and the general public is an important priority for industries today. AGAT Laboratories can help industries achieve this priority, offering specialty analyses that can detect harmful toxins in environmental matrices or harmful elements to the body. Our analyses can trace pollutants back to their source and therefore reduce the impact that these pollutants have on humans. Through our Ultra-trace and Toxicology Division, we offer low-level detection of Dioxin and Furans, PCBs, PAHs and steroids in sample mediums such as water, soil, tissue, food and blood. Using LC-MS-MS technology and additional GCMS instrumentation, our testing parameters for Life Sciences monitoring also includes the following; ▪ Drugs of abuse in blood and urine. ▪ Perchlorates in environmental samples. ▪ Nonylphenol Ethoxylates and pharmaceuticals in environmental samples. ▪ Antibiotics in food, blood and urine samples. ▪ Mycotoxins and melamine in food samples and containers. Page 5 of 7
AGRI-FOOD SECTOR Our laboratories offer services in food safety, development and consulting to ensure that our Agri-Food clients remain compliant with all necessary regulations. Agricultural Analysis: We provide soil salinity test packages for testing site liability. Agricultural professionals utilize routine water chemistry packages to asses and classify the suitability of water quality for drinking or irrigation purposes. We also provide expert services ranging from basic fertilizer recommendations to complete soil profiling. Additionally, our Lubricants Testing Services can assist clients in monitoring the condition of their farming equipment. Microbiology: Our laboratories use the most up-to-date methodologies and instrumentation for food safety and quality control. We utilize the BAX Q7 System or the Molecular Detection System (3M), which pinpoints pathogens on a genetic level, ensuring absolute certainty in the detection of bacteria cells. Food Chemistry: Our services provide information concerning the composition of products necessary to industries adhering to regulations on packaging and labelling of products. We are also able to offer our clients an accurate sample of a Health Canada approved Nutrition Facts Table. These labelling and formatting requirements can be provided for both Canadian and American food products. Ultra-trace and Toxicology: We offer services for food profiling and contaminant identification. Using HRMS and LC-MS-MS instrumentation, we conduct trace level detection for the analysis of vitamins, sugars, antibiotics, mycotoxins, melamine and comprehensive pesticide residue screening in food samples. Environmental Analysis: Many of our food industry clients have on-site water treatment facilities to effectively manage wastewater in a cost-effective manner. To ensure our clients remain compliant with all necessary regulations, our laboratory can analyze contaminants in water and soil as a complementary service to our food industry clientele. In addition, we offer comprehensive indoor air quality evaluations along with analytical services for mould, bacteria and other chemicals.
Information Technology AGAT Laboratories has an Information Systems (IS) Department staffed with the best hardware and software specialists available. As a result, we employ a custom-designed Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that integrates data capture, real-time statistical process control, standard report generation, data integrity checks and more. Our IS Department has also designed division-specific programs to increase the efficiency and accuracy of our operations and laboratory personnel. We also house specially designed software programs for our clients to access and manage information quickly, resulting in improved productivity, profit, performance and accuracy. These web-based databases include the following;
▪ WebEARTH
▪ WebAIR
▪ WebFLUIDS
▪ WebROCK
▪ WebFOOD
▪ WebCEMS
▪ WebOAS
▪ WebMINING
Please ask your AGAT Representative for a demo of any of these programs.
I n Your C o mmuni ty Local Development AGAT Laboratories is committed to supporting the growth and development of local communities. We believe that investing in home-grown initiatives is the best way to repay the support that our clients and employees have given us throughout the years. To find out more about AGAT Laboratories involvement in communities Canada-wide, please visit our website at www.agatlabs.com for our “Community” section. Laboratory Locations AGAT Laboratories has full-service locations across Canada that house the most modern state-of-the-art technology available in the laboratory industry. We have built long-standing relationships with hundreds of depot locations which provides our clients with sample pick-up and drop-off locations in areas that are conveniently close. As a result, we provide our clients with a strong scope of presence, as sample pick-up and shipment is never an issue. Our list of depot locations is constantly evolving to ensure our clients are offered the best possible service in all areas of operation. For a complete list of all of our locations, please visit our website at www.agatlabs.com/locations.
Whitehorse
Fort Nelson
Fort rt St.John rt Terrac a ac Terrace
Fort McMurray Happy ValleyGoose Bay Go
Grande Prairie Grande P G rairie Edmonton on
Burnaby B urrnab by
Lloydminster L Red Deer Red Dee e
Calgary C alg al lgary Estevan Esteva va an
Val-D’Or Val-D’O - Or
Thunder Thunde er Bay B y Ba
Chicoutimii
Quebec Q ueb ebec Sudbury
Kitchener Kit h
Montreal M Ottawa Kingston K
Mississauga Miss sis Stoney Creek London
Service Beyond Analysis Page 7 of 7
Saint John
Dartmouth