HORIBA, Ltd. (6856) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary

Hello, everybody. Good morning, good afternoon. I'm Odile Hirsch from the [ Malcolm ] team in the -- in France at HORIBA Scientific. And we are pleased to welcome you on this webinar on the application of ICP on cement application. The presentation is made by Alice Stankova, our Product Manager. It will be about 30-minute presentation, and then we will have time for Q&A session. So before we start the presentation, I will ask you a question in order to understand why you are listening to this webinar and who you are. So please check the boxes. Okay. It's coming. Now can you check the boxes which apply to you? I'm an ICP user, I am using an HORIBA ICP, I work on cement and I would like to be contacted by HORIBA or I would like to send a sample to the HORIBA lab. So I'll leave you 1 or 2 minutes to answer to this question. Okay. Seems you finished answering. Let's go now to the presentation from Alice.

Hello, everybody. My name is Alice Stankova. I'm ICP product manager. And today, I would like to show you the benefits of ICP-OES to analyze raw materials in cement. So this presentation is divided in 2 principal parties -- parts. First is principal and advantage of HORIBA ICP-OES; and the second, the applications in cement industry. So first is there's the principal of ICP-OES. So ICP-OES, it's elemental analysis technique. We can analyze more than 70 elements from the periodic tables, including chloride and bromine. And the technique is really sensitive on microgram per liter level. The technique is also efficient. It means that we have high tolerance on salt content. HORIBA has a big, big history and big knowledge about the ICPs. It must be known that HORIBA also delivered the first commercially available ICP-OES in 1977. And from that time, the hundreds of systems were delivered all around the world. So what are just technical specifications of HORIBA's ICP-OES? First is that the view for the vertical radially-viewed torch, which offers the highest stability with any kind sample and also the high-performance is even this high total dissolved solids content. The other torch is easy to use. Our torch systems is versatile and easy to use. We have the fully demountable torch, decreased running cost. Cost can change all [indiscernible] parts, which is, it must be changed. And the one torch for all applications, which is a big advantage that the offer as a standard alumina injector, which is also adapted for the simple [indiscernible] indicator. And we offer unique sheath device, which allows easy introduction for like complex samples. At the plasma compartment, it's really wide, 30 centimeters wide so we can easily dodge and handle this introduction system. We have the torch, which are up also for the easy access inside. And the torch, it's such a [indiscernible] access to the torch. We have the large external sample introduction compartment. The corrosion-resistant sample trial for the enhanced safety. We have also facilitated access to the peristaltic pump and introduction system. And also, that means all the connections are easier. The access of all the connections of accessories are already easier [indiscernible]. And our system is using 40 megahertz water-cooled solid state generator, which increased signal-to-noise ratio and improved detection limit. This change also improves cooling efficiency. And what is most important, there is no maintenance on it. So what we propose is where we don't need the radial view, neither axial/dual view. What we propose, it's total plasma view. So we don't need to drive [indiscernible] what I want to say. So it means that we measure the whole normal analytic zone, the emission. So we don't need to [indiscernible] we don't need to optimize the resolution high, means that it offer us unrivaled sensitivity and reduced matrix effect. Why [indiscernible]? So it is because [indiscernible] have abrupt [indiscernible] because [indiscernible] normal analytical zone, which is existing image is high. And all this light is for [indiscernible] for the last [indiscernible] or could translate, which is 7 millimeter high. Going to the article system. So we have a really highly efficient optical design, means that we have up to 30% of the light, which is transmitted to the detector. And the optics is thermoregulated, so it means that we have rather good long term stability, the measurement is very important in the cement industry. And the detection for the -- as the detection device, we are using for the multipliers. They have some advantages. For example, they are really extremely sensitive. We don't have a name-recognized scanner. We cover the wide spectral range, it's coming from the 120 nanometers, which is why we can measure chlorine. And bromine [indiscernible] easily and to use the [indiscernible] sensitivity to UV, but also they refer to the big dynamic range. It means that with the one, the big one, it can measure the ppb up to the percentage level in the same time. And these sectors are stable in the time. I was speaking about the total plasma view. So total plasma view is something, which we had developed. It means that we -- about the benefit from all advantages of the radial viewing, linear within the dynamic range no dependence on signals, the matrix, no deposit effects on the torch. And also, we have to enhance sensitivity. So our HORIBA Scientific optical engineers developed special large gratings to be able to measure the whole Normal Analytical Zone of the plasma, and to transmit all the light to the detector. A 16-millimeter height zones corresponded to the Normal Analytical Zone, the right zone, are the emission of measured [indiscernible]. So decent 16-millimeter height, it's measured, and all the light is imaged on the 7-millimeter heights that -- of the monochromator. Then we have the large optical mirrors and gratings, which transmit all the light to the detector to get unrivaled detection limits with all advantages from the radial view mode. [ TSO ] for us were good attention limits and perfect linear calibration curve. It has really extended the dynamic range and less [indiscernible] less standard for the measurement. You can see here the example of the cadmium line, the perfect line narrative, which we measure from 1 ppb up to [indiscernible]. And you can see that we have rather perfect linearity. We spoke also about the importance of the optical design. You must be now that each optical component means risk of the light and the transfer. So on the right of the slide, there is the optical design of the Ultima Expert, means that we are using only one lens and then trust on the optics, one mirror to reflect light, to the grating and the second mirror to send light to the detector. We have highly efficient light transmission design. In the middle of the grade of the slide, we have a common example of the common Echelle spectrometer design. It's a pre-optics made of 3 mirrors and a window before entering the optics. The optics itself, it's made of 2 mirrors, 1 grating and 1 prism. It means that there are 1 grating, 1 prism, 1 window and 5 mirrors in the optical and the make -- design making. Light loss much important. But on the left, it's really -- it's a much more complicated slide design. The slide give much more complicated optical design to the ICP spectrometer. They have 1 detector dedicated to doing [indiscernible]. And that is, of course, the visible. It means that we have like 3 mirrors, 1 grating, 1 prism, 1 lens and the disposal for the [indiscernible] part, the spectra, but up to 8 mirrors for the UV, and the supply tariffs on creating onwards and 1 dispenser. So here in this page, if you have like light loss up to 80%, it's 90% now, with such design, so it means that -- you are listening to customer losing a lot of information, which have really,really good detector than to have the growth performances of the results. Another point, which is important when we have a complex matrix, is the resolution -- spectrum resolution. It's the actual design. With respect to [indiscernible] solution, it's a constant [indiscernible] integration or according to the location and the peaks of the detector. It means that if we have some unexpected spectrum, [indiscernible] which they may have occurred in the normal samples. So we kind of have -- the customer can have a shorter visit. But we feel the reason of the change on the mounting view as we are using in our system, we have really enclosed resolution all over the spectrum range. So according to configuration, you have a constant range up to horizontal, lower than 5.5 picometers, up to a full 320 or 420, and less than 11 picometers are from, like 320, up to 800 nanometers. So what are the technical specification? The optical system, as I told you, so it's a Czemy-Turner mounting, it's 1 meter focal length, and it's a [indiscernible], it's a high-resolution optics, which provide us unrivaled high resolution over the wavelength range. So I told you, according configuration resolution, it's lower than 6 picometer, up to 420 and lower than 11 or 420 nanometers to 800 nanometers. What is nice at the inside, and then we have high density holographic grating, which is made by HORIBA Scientific. And you can have only 1 grating or 2 gratings according to application. The standard spectral coverage is coming from 160 up to 800 manometers. But as an option, we propose expand spectral coverage for 120 nanometers to be able to measure the chlorine and bromine and to have really nice information of these elements for the cement industry. It's important to chlorine for the corrosion. If also, if needed, we propose for simultaneous measurement, the internal standard. It means that we offer, that we put the second detector and the second monochromatic only to measure this [indiscernible] standard for recipients [indiscernible] wave. I was speaking about high-resolution optics, so here is it. It's a great thing. Different configurations available according to applications. So I told you, 1 grating or 2 gratings. And the grating groove density is important because the highest the density, the best is the resolution, the final resolution. And also, we are speaking about the focal length. So it's more we propose 1 meter focal length. And we said that the longer the focal length is, the best resolutions also. And what we propose also as a standard, it's the variable slits that we can adjust the resolution or gain in the stability or according the needs. Your need to kind of adjust it according perfectly, according your needs. So I was speaking about a resolution, but it's nice to see it in the real examples. So here, we have 2 examples of high and constant resolution, on analysis of 2 samples into the soil. Then cadmium determination, the first sample. It was 5 ppb of the cadmium and a 60 PP of the arsenic. And the second sample, we have 12 ppb of the chromium and 900 pp of the arsenic. And on the common system, Echelle system on the left, the [ live ] resolution, around 8 and 10 picometers. The first result, instead of 5 ppm -- ppb, we have 6 ppb. And instead of 12, ppb, they have 22 ppb. The reason is really simple. If you are looking at the curve, the red [indiscernible] is the arsenic, just interfering the cadmium in 228 line and which is yellow. And you can see that if there are -- if they are not in the same resolution, [indiscernible] we can support them. But if they are together in the same solution as the case of this sample, we have a little green peak, the big peak covering arsenic and the chromium salt. This is why we have the big -- the measurement. But this is the spectrometer. In our case, you can see when we have the resolution rolling. This resolution, you can really easily separate the cadmium and the arsenic from the one from the other, and the results are imperfect [indiscernible], that's in accordance to the expected. So 5 ppb correspond to 5 ppb, and we found 12 or 5. So we have that in their measurement. So this is why it's really important to have good resolution solution to our system to be able to support these interferences easily. Another example, it's -- there are elements. So the lens choices are [indiscernible] and the measurement of those elements. This application, it's really complex because there are elements, there's lot of emission lines, strategic. So why we have a good resolution [indiscernible] means that we can handle the most sensitive of [indiscernible] and the development to remain much easier. And then you can [indiscernible] the samples. So once more on the left, we have all the typical actual system where we cannot supply to [indiscernible] in blue from [indiscernible] metrics and the result is like there's a pink line. On the right, you can see the [indiscernible] on top of our system. You can see the different addition from [indiscernible] you can easily separate in the customer, ensure you can make perfect, good, to measurement really easily. So another point, which is important, is the software. So other ICP-NEO software is based on the Microsoft platform as compliant with the Windows 7, 8 10. There are other that may come maybe in the future. The software proposed secured multi-level access means that each user has its own log in and the password, and they are different access according to the different user rights. So operator, advance and administrator. We proposed export into LIMS, automatic export. Then we imply the auto trail is implemented as a standard part of the software. And also, this is [ confirm ] the quality control protocols. This is compliant with 21CFR Part 11. So we have secured database worldwide [indiscernible] results. The wavelength selection with interference visualization. So better development, it's much easier around now to be done because if we are looking for the wavelengths. We indicate we have all the information about development test and if possible. So trying to [indiscernible] around different report. [indiscernible], which can be done according to customer need. And also a plus is that we have the unique semi-quantitative analysis of the whole spectra, it's like a fingerprint. But for us, just -- we are measuring all the emission coming from 160 up to 800 nanometers in the fast scan. And it helped me -- it allows us to see all the emission coming from the spectrum, from the sample. And a lot of customers that using these semi-quantitative analysis as they try to control the entrance of the raw materials, for example, because they have rapidly information for this new -- in the sample, if it's something different from usual. So this was the fast presentation of our system. So only to conclude about this part. So it went to offer consistent high resolution, and the robust plasma means that you have a stable measurement during hours. We can measure [indiscernible] total plasma if we can measure the same sample into ppb at the percentage level. Easily, we can measure more than some 70 elements from the periodic table, including the chlorine and the bromine, which of course is a plus. It's that you're going have the fast full spectra acquisition. It's a semi-quantitative results available [indiscernible] even 3 months later, come back to the results and measure that but if there are some unexpected [indiscernible]. To date, our process is really easy after measurement and the system is easy to use. So now I would like to turn your attention to DM. It's the use of the HORIBA's ICP for the cement industry. So we have here the 3 respectable, 3 different case studies. The first is analysis of the major elements in cement and [indiscernible] stability measurement of the mature elements in cement. And then also, the analysis of trace element in cement, which is also important. So the first standard is the measure of elements in cement. The major elements affect the performance, so to cement as like [indiscernible], hard mass and strength gain. And according to the environment and use, the cement composition is modified to fit these parameters. For example, alumina compound suffers from attack of sulfate salts from soil or seawater, while iron component and calcium silicates are more resistant. So according to where [ reviews ], the composition is not the same. On the samples here for this [indiscernible] were prepared -- fusion with lithium [indiscernible] and the major elements is a sulfur, silica, iron, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, titanium, sodium and potassium. And we measure it. And we compare them with a certified [indiscernible] compared to this dose. Sorry to [indiscernible]. So here, you have the example or an example of analysis of standard [indiscernible] material. And you can see, we can conclude that if you have really good agreement between the measured and certified values. So we are not [indiscernible]. So samples, and we can see that's interesting. We can measure 0.7%, end up to like 65% for the calcium without any dilution of the issue. And given the traces like [indiscernible] 8%, 9%, we can easily measure and you are not affected about the major elements. So this is very important. I was [indiscernible] the measurement of the major element and cement. This stable measurement is needed for the production and the quality control. Of course, if you are in production, you have a lot of samples coming from the productions of the [indiscernible] all the day, if the composition is correct. So you need to have a stable or more stable measurement [indiscernible] coloration, stuff like this. So once more, the preparation institution [indiscernible] let's operate. And here, we measure it really for the cost measure element. We use standard [indiscernible] per meter and we measure -- made the measurement during for hours and few [indiscernible] standard. So what you can see that the [indiscernible] well-quoted. 4 hours is less than the [ 0.45%. ] And what was also done to see the stability -- the measurement [indiscernible], of the measurement. The analysis was done a couple of days after [indiscernible] calibration and after the calibration to see how the technology is stable and how the system is performing. And we can see that even [indiscernible] 3 calibration and there, low different into constant -- no difference into concentration day after the first calibration and even 5-day after first calibration, that you can easily find the same result. It means that this show that our ICP is really stable and provide stable measurement into time, even that it so concentrated sample as the cost of 0.45%. This alternative dilution and this standard plasma conditions. Here, we have the visualization of the stability. And we can see that the use of internal standard enable to get very good accurate in the precision before the stability, the variation, the signal lower 0.45% on the trace elements into cement. And this is something important to present because the stress elements can affect performance. So here, the major analysis in the different conditions. We are using this CMA introduction system. What is a CMA? Sorry, it's a concomitant metal analyzer, it's a -- it interrupts the specific introduction system, which allows us to increase sensitivity for hydrides forming elements and Mercury and a factor [indiscernible], while we are analyzing the normal elements, simultaneously resulting in affection -- affecting their sensitivity of these normal elements. So what is interesting to see that we made the measurement, the textual limit, the measure detection limit in the water and [indiscernible] and we can see that what is real interesting. The detection momentum, the custom matrix are comparable to dose obtaining [indiscernible]. So it means that really our introduction system and our -- the fact that we have the total plasma view that provide us the excellent detection limit, even that the high matrix content in the sample. And we have a nice deduction limit in this cement. This here are the other examples. We are under semi-quantitative analysis and then quantitive analysis [indiscernible]. So I just can't commit on concomital metal analyzer. And the results coming from the round robin test and because that they are really [indiscernible] for the results, which was expected by the round robin test. And it's [indiscernible] for example, for the [indiscernible] cycle is only semiquantitative method before 14 and by really, distant our method of quantification before 14 or 13.6%. So it's really good. Even for the high concentrations, you find really good results. And also for the low concentrations, [indiscernible] in the semi-quantitive fast quantitive method before, and that's [indiscernible] to ppb and the quantification before 47. So it's a really, really, really good sort of titanium on [ 6.7 ] in the semi-quantitative. And in the quantitative, we find 6.6%. That's really good. It means that we have a negligible matrix effect because this is due after [indiscernible] plasma and radial viewing. And this year, made a concomital metal analyzer, pre chamber . It's chemical reaction does not disturb the analysis of the normal element. So this is something, which is very important. There is no need to change introduction system during the analysis. Also, it's the end of time until for you as a user and your work. So here, it's another example of the results, so the trace element into cement. We found -- we're looking for -- was traces and are compared with certified value efficacy that we have a good agreement between the front concentrations and these certified values. So this is already shown rather the [ ease of digitals ] of our ICP for these applications in the cement industry. So to conclude, I would like to say I think that you saw and you understand that is -- the our HORIBA ICP-OES is ideal for the cement analysis. We offer a long-term stability for measurements of the major elements, which affects the performances of the cement as hydration, hardness and strength gain. What is important is that we have reduced matrix affect due to our Total Plasma view. It is something that you really saw that it's important. What is also that we have a stable results in the time and measurement. Did the measurement go down versus a couple of days after, and the results are perfectly [ predictable ] and stable. We can also measure crisis and measure element. It's the same performances. And we can easily make it chlorine determination, which is important for our corrosion mechanism studies. And this chlorine can be replaced by bromine, which is not corrosive. So this is why it's really important for you to have the possibility to measure the chlorine and the bromine in these cement samples. So I think you've [indiscernible] your attention. And now we'll be glad to answer your questions. Thank you.