We’re proud to share some exciting news from one of our manufacturers. PAS Scientific, the Australian developer of the ASBpro Handheld Asbestos Analyser, has been shortlisted as one of five finalists for the Chemical Safety Response Award at Chemical Risk Expo in Houston, Texas.
After reviewing this year’s exhibitors, the judging team identified the ASBpro as one of the standout innovations on display. PAS Scientific is the only Australian finalist, earning its place alongside international companies at a major US event focused on chemical and industrial risk.
As the ASBpro’s distributor here in Australia, we’re delighted to see technology developed close to home recognised on an international stage. Here’s a closer look at the event, the nomination and the analyser behind it.
About Chemical Risk Expo
Chemical Risk Expo takes place on 14 and 15 October 2026 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The event focuses on disaster-linked chemical incidents across the full lifecycle, from prevention and preparedness through to response and recovery.
Houston is a major hub for high-consequence industrial operations, and the expo brings together:
- Operators working across chemical plants, refineries, terminals, tank farms and pipelines
- Emergency responders and hazmat logistics specialists
- Process safety leaders, EHS directors and risk managers
- Environmental remediation experts and public-sector stakeholders
The expo runs alongside Disasters Expo USA and several other co-located events dedicated to disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
The Chemical Safety Response Award is judged from among the event’s exhibitors. For an asbestos analyser, recognition at a chemical and hazardous materials event reflects how closely rapid, on-site screening aligns with safer and faster decision-making around hazardous materials.
What the Nomination Involves
As one of five finalists, PAS Scientific will:
- Present to the judging panel on the first day of the event, Wednesday 14 October
- Deliver a short presentation of three to five minutes, scheduled between 1pm and 2pm
- Be considered alongside four other shortlisted finalists for this year’s award
The Innovation Behind the Nomination: ASBpro
The ASBpro is a handheld asbestos analyser developed in Australia by PAS Scientific. It uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to screen suspect materials directly on site, rather than relying solely on laboratory turnaround times.
NIR identifies materials by how they interact with light, producing a spectral signature that can be compared against known references. In the ASBpro, that approach is paired with:
- Rapid, non-destructive scans: results in under 10 seconds, with no cutting, drilling or sampling required
- Clear results: coverage of all six regulated asbestos types, with PASS/FAIL outcomes and ASBpro ID to identify the specific type detected
- Lightweight design: 150g and small enough to fit in the palm of the hand
- Evidence-backed records: onboard photo tagging and full reports generated directly from the controller
- A strong reference base: backed by one of the largest real-sample asbestos libraries available
Rapid screening doesn’t replace laboratory analysis. As we explored in our article on why asbestos is still being missed even when testing exists, it adds an earlier layer of detection, with flagged materials still able to go on for confirmatory lab testing.
That earlier layer matters more as Australia tightens its asbestos testing rules. The ASBpro supports asbestos detection across a range of sectors:
- Rapid response: on-the-spot screening of illegally dumped material
- Building inspections and demolition: identifying asbestos materials before lab testing or site disturbance
- Waste management and recycling: screening incoming loads to reduce contamination risk at the source
- Customs and border control: real-time inspections of imported goods to support compliance
- Automotive and shipping: checking brakes, clutches and gaskets before parts move further through the supply chain
- Emergency response: large-scale screening after bushfires, floods or structural damage
How ASBpro Works
The ASBpro turns asbestos screening into a five-step, on-site workflow:
- Identify: assess the suspect material, surface or component on site
- Scan: point the handheld unit at the material for a direct, non-destructive NIR scan
- View results: see a PASS/FAIL result on the controller straight away, with the asbestos type identified when detected
- Capture evidence: take a geotagged photo linked directly to the scan result
- Report: generate a complete report and share it digitally when network access is available
This workflow also underpins integrations such as ASBpro and Alpha Tracker, which connect on-site screening results with digital reporting and project records.
Looking Ahead
Being named a finalist is a milestone for PAS Scientific and a proud moment for us as a distributor. It also recognises what the ASBpro was built to do: give people making decisions in the field faster, clearer answers.
PAS Scientific will present to the judges on 14 October, and we’ll share the outcome once the winner is announced. Whatever the result, an Australian innovation earning a place on a US stage is well worth celebrating.
To learn more about the ASBpro or how it could support your approach to asbestos screening, get in touch with the PAS team