In the ICA Bremen Round Trials 2022-1, gravimetric trash testing methods were integrated for the first time. These methods clean out the amount of contamination and determine the weight accordingly. Previously, trash results were only included with HVI and AFIS optical testing. Gravimetric test methods include simple tests like the Shirley trash tester principle as well as the MDTA-3 priciple which divides the results into trash, dust and fibre fragments. In this round test, there were 13 participants for the Shirley method and 14 participants for the MDTA3 method. Going forward, the gravimetric test methods will always be included.
The ICA Bremen Round Trials are used to check the reliability of the test results of participating laboratories and to improve their performance. The Round Trials are open to all cotton testing laboratories in the world, offering an opportunity for each participant to compare their test results with those of approximately 150 other laboratories around the globe.
Speaking on this, Axel Drieling of FIBRE said: “The Bremen Round Trials have since their start in the 1950s always been the best opportunity to compare test results between laboratories for nearly all kind of test methods. I am happy to include trash measurements. We will also be pleased to include any new test method as soon as it is commercially relevant and compatible with the basic conditions of the Round Trials. ”
The results of the 2022-1 ICA Bremen Round Trials show a relatively high scatter between results. This could be partly due to the material, but also due to the application. It is believed that the consideration of the results in the work of the participating laboratories will lead to a reduction of the scatter in the future.
The ICA Bremen Round Trials are the only international cotton round trials that do not only include HVI, but also various other kinds of cotton testing methods, instruments, and parameters.
The ICA Bremen Round Trials are financed by the Bremen Cotton Exchange and carried out by the Fibre Institute Bremen.
Picture ICA Bremen: Cotton Testing with the HVI