For many asbestos professionals, the challenge isn’t simply identifying asbestos. It’s managinGreat ideas in asbestos detection rarely stay in the lab for long — the real test is whether they hold up on site, under pressure, in the hands of the people who need an answer quickly.g the information that comes with it.
That’s exactly where ASBpro has proven itself.
We’ve been named one of five finalists for the Chemical Safety Response Award at Chemical Risk Expo, taking place 14–15 October 2026 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, with judges identifying ASBpro as one of the standout innovations on display.
We’re proud, and genuinely excited, especially as the only Australian business shortlisted, presenting alongside international finalists at a major US event focused on chemical and industrial risk.
Here’s a closer look at the event, the nomination, and the innovation behind it.
About Chemical Risk Expo
Chemical Risk Expo is a dedicated platform focused on disaster-linked chemical incident prevention, response and recovery. Held in Houston, a major hub for high-consequence industrial operations, the event brings together operators, emergency responders and risk specialists from across the chemical and energy sectors.
The Chemical Safety Response Award recognises innovations supporting safer, faster decision-making around chemical and hazardous material risk, an area closely aligned with the work we do in the field of asbestos detection.
What the Nomination Involves
As a finalist, we’ll give a short presentation to the judging panel on the first day of the event, 14 October, between 1pm and 2pm. Four other finalists have been shortlisted alongside PAS Scientific for this year’s award.
The Innovation Behind the Nomination: ASBpro
ASBpro is the handheld asbestos analyser developed in Australia by PAS Scientific, built to bring near-infrared spectroscopy screening directly into the field rather than relying solely on laboratory turnaround times.
Its design centres on turning what has traditionally been a slow, lab-dependent process into something that happens on the spot:
- Rapid, on-site screening — scan times of under 10 seconds mean teams get an answer immediately, instead of pausing work while samples are sent away for testing.
- Lightweight, portable design — at just 150g and small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, the unit travels easily to wherever the material actually is.
- Instant, evidence-backed reporting — onboard photo tagging and full reports generated straight from the controller give every result a clear, exportable record for compliance and documentation.
- A high level of accuracy — built on one of the largest real-sample asbestos libraries used in developing the technology, so field results hold up to scrutiny.
That combination of speed and portability is why ASBpro has found a home across a wide range of industries, including:
- Rapid Response — Enables quick, reliable screening of illegally dumped material on the spot, helping crews identify and contain contaminated waste before it spreads further.
- Building Inspections & Demolition — Supports inspectors and demolition teams in identifying asbestos materials before lab testing or site disturbance, reducing unplanned delays and exposure risk.
- Waste Management & Recycling — Helps operators screen incoming loads at the point of intake, reducing the risk of asbestos-containing material entering processing or recycling streams undetected.
- Customs & Border Control — Supports real-time inspections of imported goods, helping officers enforce compliance with asbestos import restrictions without waiting on off-site laboratory results.
- Automotive & Shipping — Used to check components such as brakes, clutches and gaskets for asbestos before parts or vehicles move further through repair, resale or shipping channels.
- Emergency Response — Supports large-scale, on-site screening after events such as bushfires, floods or structural damage, helping responders assess asbestos risk quickly across affected sites.
It’s this combination of speed, portability and field-ready accuracy that the Chemical Risk Expo judging panel have recognised in shortlisting ASBpro for this year’s award.
How ASBpro Works
ASBpro takes asbestos screening from sample collection and lab queues to a five-step, on-site process, giving field teams a clear result in real time rather than days later.
- Identify the material — Assess a suspect surface, material or component on site, flagging it for screening based on visual signs, risk, or standard inspection procedure.
- Scan with the handheld unit — Point ASBpro at the material for a direct, non-destructive scan; near-infrared spectroscopy returns a result in under 10 seconds, no cutting or sampling required.
- View results instantly — A clear PASS/FAIL outcome appears immediately on the controller, with ASBpro ID identifying the specific asbestos type present when detected.
- Capture and link evidence — Take a geotagged photo and attach it directly to the scan result, keeping images and data together for consistent, traceable documentation.
- Generate and share the report — Produce a complete report straight from the controller and share it digitally with your team via Wi-Fi, no separate write-up needed.
Looking Ahead
Being named a finalist is a proud moment, but it’s also a reminder of why we built ASBpro in the first place: to bring faster, more certain answers to people making real decisions in the field.
We’ll represent that mission on 14 October at the Chemical Risk Expo judging session, with the award winner announced later in the event. Whatever the outcome, it’s a milestone worth marking: an Australian innovation earning recognition on a US stage.
If you’d like to learn more about ASBpro, or have questions about how it could support your team’s approach to asbestos screening, get in touch with PAS Scientific.
