For more than five decades, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) has been at the forefront of industrial and technological development in the Caribbean. Established in 1970 and headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, CARIRI provides applied research, technical services and innovation support to industries across the region. Among its most impactful areas of work is the energy sector, where the Institute plays a vital role in supporting sustainability, compliance and operational excellence.
CARIRI delivers critical environmental and industrial testing services that help energy companies operate responsibly and safely. Through its environmental laboratories, the Institute conducts wastewater and effluent testing to ensure compliance with national discharge standards, protecting surrounding ecosystems. Accredited Legionella testing for cooling towers further safeguards workers and nearby communities, while indoor air quality assessments help maintain healthy work environments in control rooms, laboratories, and offices.
The Institute is also a leader in emissions and industrial hygiene monitoring. CARIRI conducts stack emissions testing on stationary combustion equipment such as boilers, furnaces and turbines, measuring pollutants including particulate matter and gaseous emissions in accordance with international standards. Environmental noise assessments, industrial hygiene gas testing, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) evaluations further support regulatory compliance and risk management in the energy sector.
A cornerstone of CARIRI’s energy-related work is its Petroleum Testing Laboratory (PTL), which has supported Trinidad and Tobago’s oil and gas industry for over 50 years. Originally established in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, PTL played a key role in fuel quality surveillance, crude oil valuation and environmental monitoring programmes. Today, as an independently accredited laboratory within CARIRI’s Petroleum and Sustainable Energy Services Department, PTL continues to provide essential testing services while also supporting the country’s transition toward more sustainable energy solutions.
CARIRI’s Analytical Chemistry services complement this work by providing environmental testing for water and soil, including analyses for toxic substances and chemical oxygen demand, helping energy companies meet national environmental regulations. CARIRI’s Analytical Chemistry services have expanded to include comprehensive environmental testing across a wide range of matrices. These services cover testing of influent, effluent, black water, grey water, potable water, produced water, marine water and sediments. In addition, CARIRI provides toxicity testing and verification for chemical Active Ingredients and Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Through these capabilities, CARIRI supports energy companies in meeting national and regional environmental regulations and industry standards.
Beyond testing and monitoring, CARIRI actively builds capacity through collaboration. Partnerships with local and international institutions, including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) – a global network that promotes knowledge exchange and capacity building across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa, enable CARIRI to contribute to global energy initiatives, access international funding and strengthen regional expertise.
Through its technical excellence, trusted partnerships, and forward-looking approach, CARIRI continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the energy sector’s evolution, balancing economic development with environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.