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From Integrated Pest Management to Integrated Contamination Management (ICM®)

ICM treatment centres in Brussels, London, Glasgow, on location (ICM truck) or your own ICM room (rental or lease)

Ecological technology designed by conservators for conservators

Traps against insect pests

The humidity regulated warm air treatment used by ICM® is a 100% effective and eco-friendly method for treating a wide variety of materials which have been attacked by insect pests. All life-cycle stages of insects which inhabit any organic material will die when exposed to warm temperatures over a defined period of time during our ICM® humidity regulated treatment. 

From Integrated Pest Management to Integrated Contamination Management (ICM®)

ICM treatment centres in Brussels, London, Glasgow, on location (ICM truck) or your own ICM room (rental or lease)

Traps against insect pests

Ecological technology designed by conservators for conservators

The humidity regulated warm air treatment used by ICM® is a 100% effective and eco-friendly method for treating a wide variety of materials which have been attacked by insect pests. All life-cycle stages of insects which inhabit any organic material will die when exposed to warm temperatures over a defined period of time during our ICM® humidity regulated treatment. 

In the ICM® treatment the humidity is controlled – and so there are no risks of harm to the objects.  Because there are no chemicals or noxious gases involved in the treatment, there is no risk to your health or the environment. The machinery and materials have been developed to require a low energy intake for each treatment. The carbon footprint of the technology is therefore very low.

Watch our video

In the ICM® treatment the humidity is controlled – and so there are no risks of harm to the objects.  Because there are no chemicals or noxious gases involved in the treatment, there is no risk to your health or the environment. The machinery and materials have been developed to require a low energy intake for each treatment. The carbon footprint of the technology is therefore very low.

Watch our video

For all kinds of objects

The warm air treatment of moveable heritage and art works is perfectly suitable for objects in paper, fabric, carpets, leather, fur, ethnographic pieces but also furniture and musical instruments, polychromatic sculptures and paintings. 

  • Integrated contamination management, treatment of insect infestation
  • pest control of cultural heritage
  • pest infestation in art collections
  • pest infestation in wooden sculpture, Courtesy of Sam Fogg, London
Picture 1: Follower of Pieter Coecke van Aelst, end 16th century, Private collection | Picture 2: Musée d’Archéologie Nationale, Paris | Picture 3: Jan Fabre “Mur de la monte des anges”, M HKA, Antwerp |  Picture 4: Courtesy of Sam Fogg, London

For all kinds of objects

The warm air treatment of moveable heritage and art works is perfectly suitable for objects in paper, fabric, carpets, leather, fur, ethnographic pieces but also furniture and musical instruments, polychromatic sculptures and paintings. 

  • Integrated contamination management, treatment of insect infestation
  • pest control of cultural heritage
  • pest infestation in art collections
  • pest infestation in wooden sculpture, Courtesy of Sam Fogg, London
Picture 1: Follower of Pieter Coecke van Aalst, end 16th century, Private collection | Picture 2: Musée d’Archéologie Nationale, Paris | Picture 3: Jan Fabre “Mur de la monte des anges”, M HKA, Antwerp |  Picture 4: Courtesy of Sam Fogg, London
  • Furniture beetle, pest controle
©DBP Entomology

For all kinds of insects

The treatment can be used in the fight against heritage eating insects, including clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella and Tinea pellionella), varied carpet beetles (Anthrenus verbasci), silverfish (Lepisma saccharina), the grey silverfish or so called ‘paperfish’ (Ctenolepisma longicaudata), common woodworm (Anobium punctatum), powder post beetle (Lyctus brunneus), death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum), house longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus), tobacco beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) and biscuit beetle (Stegobium paniceum).

For all kinds of insects

The treatment can be used in the fight against heritage eating insects, including clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella and Tinea pellionella), varied carpet beetles (Anthrenus verbasci), silverfish (Lepisma saccharina), the grey silverfish or so called ‘paperfish’ (Ctenolepisma longicaudata), common woodworm (Anobium punctatum), powder post beetle (Lyctus brunneus), death watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum), house longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus), tobacco beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) and biscuit beetle (Stegobium paniceum).

©DBP Entomology

Warm air process

The ICM® process is based on the fact that insect proteins denature irreversibly at temperatures between 42-52°C, dependent on the species. The method was established more than 30 years ago and is 100% effective, quick and presents no risks to materials.

Next-generation treatment chambers

A second* generation of treatment chambers have now been developed under the ICM® brand, which outperforms other methods in terms of speed, ecological impact and capability. Ultrasonic, and hence very evenly spread, humidification and a sophisticated filtering technology (active carbon filters, HEPA) as well as 24/7 data mirroring and remote-control monitoring provide a managed and safe environment for the treatment of valuable and unique objects. 

  • ICM treatment in mobile chamber
  • Mobile chamber, chamber lease

From a conservation perspective the key to using warm air to eradicate insect pests is to maintain the equilibrium moisture content of the material during the warming-up, holding and cooling phases. This is achieved by using tailor made proprietary software to control the relative humidity (RH) and temperature of the atmosphere within the chamber, thereby preventing any physical or structural change in the object through loss or absorption of moisture.

  • ICM treatment in mobile chamber
  • Mobile chamber, chamber lease

Warm air process

The ICM® process is based on the fact that insect proteins denature irreversibly at temperatures between 42-52°C, dependent on the species. The method was established more than 30 years ago and is 100% effective, quick and presents no risks to materials.

Next-generation treatment chambers

A second* generation of treatment chambers have now been developed under the ICM® brand, which outperforms other methods in terms of speed, ecological impact and capability. Ultrasonic, and hence very evenly spread, humidification and a sophisticated filtering technology (active carbon filters, HEPA) as well as 24/7 data mirroring and remote-control monitoring provide a managed and safe environment for the treatment of valuable and unique objects. 

From a conservation perspective the key to using warm air to eradicate insect pests is to maintain the equilibrium moisture content of the material during the warming-up, holding and cooling phases. This is achieved by using tailor made proprietary software to control the relative humidity (RH) and temperature of the atmosphere within the chamber, thereby preventing any physical or structural change in the object through loss or absorption of moisture.

Treatment options

IPARC provides treatments in its own ICM service centres in London, Glasgow, Brussels and Berlin. Private individuals, foundations and institutions are regular clients. 

To book your object or collection for pest eradication – whether it is textile, sculpture, framed painting, panel paintings, polychromic and ethnographic objects or archive materials, our conservators are available to assess the objects for treatment. 

We typically require this type of information:

  • What the object is made of 
  • If possible, how and where it has been stored and for how long 
  • The full dimensions (H x W x D) of the object 
  • When you would like to have it treated 
  • Any other details or description regarding the general condition of the object 
  • Photographs are always appreciated.

An average treatment cycle in our service centre takes 24 hours. As such it is a valuable option for loans and quarantines. 

We recommend that you have your object treated by ICM® before commencing any conservation or consolidation work. Any infested object admitted into the IPARC studio will be treated prior to conservation. However, depending on the type of conservation, recently restored objects can be treated as well. We will be able to advise you on a case-by-case basis.

Mobile treatment chamber for insect contaminationThe mobile chamber system is integrated in a truck. It evolved from the static chambers that have operated since the mid 1980’s on the continent and in London since 1994. The owners or keepers of large collections of valuable works of art and antiques can treat their infested pieces on site. An on-site treatment in the mobile chamber minimizes the handling and movement of objects, avoids creating unnecessary security risks and obviates additional insurance cover.

The site should be equipped with the following infrastructure:

  • Accessibility for the 3,9 metres high, 9 metres long and 2,6 metres wide vehicle
  • Even and level surface to park the truck
  • 24/7 access to the truck for our staff
  • 380V/32A electrical connection, within 20m of the treatment
  • Running water/regular tap, within 20m of the treatment site
  • Preferably WIFI connection for remote access to the treatment control PC.

A typical treatment cycle in the mobile unit including loading and unloading takes 20 – 30 hours.

Following treatment, a report is provided with the graphs, pictures before and after treatment and relevant data (temperature, RH, length of holding phase). A Guarantee and Certificate of 100% success in eradiation of all stages in the life cycle of an insect is presented on payment of invoice.

Collection owners who require their own chamber on the premises have the option of a Hardware aa Service (HaaS) contract based on a multi-year commitment, with monthly fees.

Chambers are installed at the customer’s site. They come in two models integrated in an insulated, standardized and moveable container: DeCon20 (20 feet) and DeCon40 (40 feet).

The Hardware as a Service contracts include:

  • Future proof hardware and software
  • The initial installation onsite, testing and fine tuning
  • Performance monitoring & administration, including advanced analytics
  • Proactive maintenance with yearly onsite service
  • Updates of hardware & software based on research and service improvements
  • An extensive training program (introduction and follow-up) for current and (future) operators/conservators
  • Online support with video stream
  • Insurance
  • Support from subject matter experts and access to knowledge base and research

We deliver, install and operate worldwide.  Our maintenance network also spans across all continents.

References

  • MAS, Antwerp (B)
  • M HKA, Antwerp (B)
  • Gruuthusemuseum, Bruges (B)
  • Museum Vleeshuis, Antwerp (B)
  • FeliXart museum, Drogenbos (B)
  • Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History of Belgium, Brussels (B)
  • City museum, Lokeren (B)
  • Museum M, Leuven (B)
  • Design museum, Gent (B)
  • Kasteel van Gaasbeek, Lennik (B)
  • MOMU, Antwerpen (B)
  • DIVA, Antwerpen (B)
  • Kasteel d’ Ursel, Hingene (B)
  • Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (FR)
  • Musée d’Archéologie Nationale, Paris (FR)
  • Museum of London (UK)
  • V&A Museum (UK)
  • British Museum (UK)
  • Whitworth Museum (UK)
  • Fitzwilliam Museum (UK)
  • The Barbican Arts Centre (UK)
  • Wellcome Collection (UK)
  • Trowbridge Museum (UK)
  • Sir John Soane’s Museum (UK)
  • Handel & Hendrix in London (UK)
  • Jardin Majorelle, Marrakesh (MA)
  • IVAM, Valencia, (SP)
  • Ad Reinhardt
  • Adam Chodezko
  • Ai Weiwei
  • Alghiero E Boetti
  • Andrea Bowers
  • Anselm Kiefer
  • Anthony Gormley
  • Antoni Tapies
  • Arnau de Bruselas
  • Arne Quinze
  • Ashley Bickerton
  • Aubrey Williams
  • Barbara Levittoux-Świderska
  • Barry Flanagan
  • Beatritz Milhazes
  • Ben Nicholson
  • Berlinde De Bruyckere
  • Brent Wadden
  • Bridget Riley
  • Cai Guo-Qiang
  • Carol Bove
  • Carlos Villa
  • Cecilia Vicuña
  • Chris Offilli
  • Christine Borland
  • Cildo Meireles
  • Claude Monet
  • Cy Twombly
  • Dieter Roth
  • Doris Salcedo
  • Emilie Brzezinski
  • Eileen Agar
  • El Anatsui
  • Gabriel Orozco
  • Gerard Quenum
  • Giorgio de Chirico
  • Grayson Perry
  • Günther Förg
  • Heinz Mack
  • Helen Marten
  • Henry Moore
  • Hermann Pitz
  • Howard Hodgkin
  • Husain
  • Ibrahim Mahama
  • Imi Knoebel
  • Isabel Rawsthorne
  • Isabella Ducrot
  • Jake & Dinos Chapman
  • Jan Fabre
  • Jane Alexander
  • Jannis Kounellis
  • Jason Rhoades
  • Jenkin Van Zyl
  • Jera May
  • Joseph Beuys
  • Kaizawa Toru
  • Kees Van Dongen
  • Ken Turner
  • Kevin Francis Gray
  • Lee Borthwick
  • Lucio Fontana
  • Manjit Bawa
  • Mario Merz
  • Mark Dion
  • Maurizio Cattelan
  • Michael Armitage
  • Michael Craig-Martin
  • Michael Joo
  • Michelangelo Pistolleto
  • Mike Nelson
  • Mimmo Rotella
  • Miroslaw Balka
  • Mona Hatoum
  • Morteza Sazegar
  • Mr. Brainwash
  • Nicholas Pope
  • Nikhil Chopra
  • Noble & Webster
  • Noemie di Benedetto
  • Olga De Amaral
  • Oticica
  • Paloma Bosquê
  • Pascale Marthine Tayou
  • Pawel Althamer
  • Peter Dreher
  • Polly Morgan
  • Raymond Briggs
  • Richard Deacon
  • Robert Morris
  • Ron Mueck
  • Rose Finn-Kelcey
  • Rosella Biscotti
  • Roy Oxlade
  • Sarah Lucas
  • Sergej Jensen
  • Sheela Gowda
  • Sheila Hicks
  • Teresinha Soares
  • Theaster Gates
  • Thomas Schuette
  • Todd James (REAS)
  • Topolski
  • Tracy Emin
  • Ugo Rondinoni
  • William Sasnal
  • Wolf Vostell
  • Zeng Fanzhi
  • Anguissola Sofonisba
  • Anthony Van Dyck
  • Arcimboldo
  • Botticelli Sandro
  • Carracci Annibale
  • Claesz Pieter
  • Cranach the Younger
  • De Ribera Josep
  • Di Credi Lorenzo
  • Fontana Lavinia
  • Gainsborough Thomas
  • Passignano Domenico Cresti
  • Passarotti Bartolomeo
  • Picasso Pablo
  • Pontormo
  • Renoir Auguste
  • Steen Jan
  • Tintoretto
  • Van der Burgh Hendrick
  • Vermiglio Giuseppe
  • Wautier Michaelina
  • Nicolás Cortés, Madrid, (SP)
  • Dulwich picture gallery (UK)
  • Guildhall art gallery (UK)
  • TATE (UK)
  • Timothy Taylor (UK)
  • Whitechapel Art Gallery (UK)
  • Stephen Friedman Gallery (UK)
  • Maddox Gallery (UK)
  • Gagosian Gallery (UK)
  • The Hayward Gallery (UK)
  • Victoria Miro Gallery (UK)
  • Pace Gallery (UK)
  • Sam Fogg Ltd (UK)
  • Adrian Sassoon (UK)
  • White Cube (UK)
  • Watts Gallery (UK)
  • Alison Jacques Gallery (UK)
  • Cupio Gallery (UK)
  • Hauser and Wirth (UK)
  • Olivier Malingue (UK)
  • House of Illustration (UK)
  • Benappi Fine Art (UK)
  • John Martin Gallery (UK)
  • Laz Inc ltd (UK)
  • Anthony D’Offay (UK)
  • October Gallery (UK)
  • Serpentine Gallery (UK)
  • Maddox Gallery (UK)
  • Royal Collection Trust (UK)
  • Royal Academy of Arts (UK)
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (UK)
  • Barbican (UK)
  • Burghley House (UK)
  • Charles Dickens Museum (UK)
  • House of Commons (UK)
  • Geffrye Museum and Trust (UK)
  • Horniman Museum and Gardens (UK)
  • The Henry Moore Foundation (UK)
  • Hayward Gallery (UK)
  • Museum of London (UK)
  • The National Gallery (UK)
  • The National Portrait Gallery (UK)
  • The British Museum (UK)
  • The National Trust (UK)
  • Wellcome trust (UK)
  • West Dean College (UK)
  • The Courtauld Institute of art/The Courtauld Gallery (UK)
  • St Albans City and District Council (UK)
  • Strawberry Hill House (UK)
  • Royal Courts of Justice (UK)
  • Novium Museum & TIC (UK)
  • Southbank Centre (UK)
  • Arts Council Collection (UK)
  • Archivio Conz (DE)
  • Collection Pinault (FR)
  • Arne Quinze (BE)
  • Gilbert and George (UK)
  • Anthony Gormley (UK)
  • Polly Morgan Studio (UK)
  • Alexander McQueen (UK)
  • Daily life Ltd (UK)
  • Lee Borthwick (UK)
  • Science Ltd (UK)
  • Universiteit  Antwerpen, afdeling Conservatie (B)
  • Arnold Wiggins and Sons (UK)
  • Cardinal Restoration (UK)
  • Freeland Restoration (UK)
  • H.J.Hatfield and Sons (UK)
  • Charles Perry Restoration (UK)
  • Plowden and Smith (UK)
  • Artefacts Conservation Service (UK)
  • NCS (UK)
  • Texterity (UK)
  • Janie Lightfoot Studio (UK)
  • De Linde, Hoeselt, Limburg (B)
  • Cathedral of Saint Rombouts, Mechelen (B)
  • Cathedral of Saint Baafs, Ghent, (B)
  • Church Saint Dominican, LUCA,  Leuven (B)
  • Church of Saint-Martin, Aalst (B)
  • PARCUM, Park Abbey, Leuven (B)
  • Church of Our Lady, Dendermonde (B)
  • Heritage Depot, Antwerp (B)
  • Church of Saint-Willibrord, Overbroek (B)
  • Church of Saint-Peter, Turnhout (B)
  • Church of Saint-Amand, Antwerp (B)
  • Church of Saint-Leonardus and Saint-Lenaarts, Brecht (B)
  • Church of Saint-Salvator, Harelbeke (B)
  • Our Lady Redemption chapel (Saint-Cross-Winkel), Oostakker (B)
  • Church of Saint-Job, St-Job-in-‘t-Goor (B)
  • Castle of Gaasbeek, Gaasbeek (B)
  • Royal Collections Trust (UK)
  • English Heritage (UK)
  • Buckingham Palace (UK)
  • National Trust Ltd (UK)
  • Historic Royal Palaces (UK)
  • The Houses of Parliament (UK)
  • Royal Courts of Justice (UK)
  • The National Archives (UK)
  • Royal Horticultural Society (UK)
  • Mobull, Brussels (B)
  • Katoen Natie Art, Antwerp (B)
  • Air Sea Packing (UK)
  • Cadogan Tate (UK)
  • Constantine (UK)
  • Crown Fine Art (UK)
  • Gander and White (UK)
  • KPak (UK)
  • Martinspeed (UK)
  • Mtec (UK)
  • PACK & SEND (UK)
  • Williams and Hill (UK)
  • Tuplin (UK)
  • Momart (UK)
  • Oak Fine Art (UK)
  • Jayhawk (UK)
Julia Boston Ltd

Latest news

ICM as sponsor for ERC 2022!

26 July 2022|

The 12th European Congress of Registrars (ERC) will take place on the revised dates of  3 – 5 November 2022 at the Strasbourg Convention + Exhibition Centre. As integrated pest management touches on the areas of interest for registrars and collections, ICM will be supporting the 2022 European Registrars conference. General [...]

ICM UK has a new MD

6 July 2022|

We are delighted to announce the appointment of ICM UK’s new Managing Director, Paul Hickey. Paul will be overseeing all operations for ICM in the UK as the company looks to grow and expand. Many of you will already know Paul, who has been Operations Manager at ICM’s London service [...]

Biocide Decontamination in Collections: ICM and PazLab at Heritech 2022 Conference

7 June 2022|

At the Florence Heritech 2022, ICM and PazLab introduced the results of a 2-year investigation into the decontamination of biocides in museum collections. The paper will be published in full in the conference proceedings (Springer). The ICM humidity controlled warm air method is suitable to remove a wide range [...]

Upcoming events

About ICM

ICM – Integrated Contamination Management – offers solutions for insect pests and biocide decontamination in collections. ICM is embedded in art conservation through its Brussels-based mother company IPARC (International Platform for Art Research & Conservation). With its humidity regulated warm air treatment system, ICM uses an ecologically-friendly method to treat both insect pest infestations and biocide contamination in art and heritage collections.

Insect pest infestations can severely damage or destroy artworks. Biocide residues can also harm collection objects, but additionally, have a serious impact on human health. Conservators, art handlers, art shippers are just a few of the groups who are often in prolonged close contact with contaminated objects. Biocide polluted collections are a worldwide problem.

ICM also offers a qualitative and quantitative analysis of contamination in museums. Furthermore, ICM advises on general IPM (Integrated Pest Management) in museums and collections and supplies insect monitoring traps. ICM contributes to establishing safe and healthy museum and working environments in line with the EU biocide regulation and SDG’s 3 and 11 (Sustainable Development Goals). Through its advisory board, ICM cooperates with internationally renowned experts in the fields of preventive conservation, entomology and chemistry.

ICM has offices and treatment facilities in London and in Brussels with other major European cities to follow. There is also a mobile treatment unit which can drive to any destination for treatments on site.

About ICM

ICM – Integrated Contamination Management – offers solutions for insect pests and biocide decontamination in collections. ICM is embedded in art conservation through its Brussels-based mother company IPARC (International Platform for Art Research & Conservation). With its humidity regulated warm air treatment system, ICM uses an ecologically-friendly method to treat both insect pest infestations and biocide contamination in art and heritage collections.

Insect pest infestations can severely damage or destroy artworks. Biocide residues can also harm collection objects, but additionally, have a serious impact on human health. Conservators, art handlers, art shippers are just a few of the groups who are often in prolonged close contact with contaminated objects. Biocide polluted collections are a worldwide problem.

ICM also offers a qualitative and quantitative analysis of contamination in museums. Furthermore, ICM advises on general IPM (Integrated Pest Management) in museums and collections and supplies insect monitoring traps. ICM contributes to establishing safe and healthy museum and working environments in line with the EU biocide regulation and SDG’s 3 and 11. Through its advisory board, ICM cooperates with internationally renowned experts in the fields of preventive conservation, entomology and chemistry.

ICM has offices and treatment facilities in London and in Brussels with other major European cities to follow. There is also a mobile treatment unit which can drive to any destination for treatments on site.

By IPARC: International Platform for Art Research and Conservation

IPARC is the leading conservation company in the Benelux servicing museums and collectors with a one stop shop service package around 4 business lines:

  • Restoration-conservation of art works by a multidisciplinary team of masters in conservation for old master paintings, polychromic sculpture, stone objects, furniture, textile, metal, paper and visual media and contemporary art
  • Research and analysis: the lab provides different types of analyses with multispectral imaging such as X-ray, IRR, UV, Macro-XRF, SEM-EDX and other analyses to authenticate, date and research art works
  • Integrated pest management: a Thermo Lignum partner since 2013, IPARC has now joined forces with Thermo Lignum UK, presenting the next generation of chambers under the brand ICM (by IPARC)
  • Preventive conservation and collection services: services such as remote monitoring of climate conditions (Smartcare) and 2000 m2 climatized art storage at the facilities near Brussels enable collection owners to execute hassle free collection management.

All services can be offered at the headquarters in Brussels (in the vicinity of the airport) or on site. IPARC currently employs 21 people.

iparc.eu

By IPARC: International Platform for Art Research and Conservation

IPARC is the leading conservation company in the Benelux servicing museums and collectors with a one stop shop service package around 4 business lines:

  • Restoration-conservation of art works by a multidisciplinary team of masters in conservation for old master paintings, polychromic sculpture, stone objects, furniture, textile, metal, paper and visual media and contemporary art
  • Research and analysis: the lab provides different types of analyses with multispectral imaging such as X-ray, IRR, UV, Macro-XRF, SEM-EDX and other analyses to authenticate, date and research art works
  • Integrated pest management: a Thermo Lignum partner since 2013, IPARC has now joined forces with Thermo Lignum UK, presenting the next generation of chambers under the brand ICM (by IPARC)
  • Preventive conservation and collection services: services such as remote monitoring of climate conditions (Smartcare) and 2000 m2 climatized art storage at the facilities near Brussels enable collection owners to execute hassle free collection management.

All services can be offered at the headquarters in Brussels (in the vicinity of the airport) or on site. IPARC currently employs 21 people.

iparc.eu

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