Abstract: Infrared spectroscopy for rapidly identifying the kind of a plastic product on the spot. The surface of the plastic product is partially pyrolyzed in a quite short time to produce pyrolysis product gas. The gas is introduced into an infrared spectrophotometer to obtain an infrared absorption spectrum of the gas. The spectrum is collated with a pyrolysis infrared absorption spectrum of a standard sample. Thus, the plastic is identified. A heating probe comprising a heat radiation emitter mounted in the body of the probe, an opening formed in the body of the probe, an aperture formed in the body and located opposite to the opening, a reflecting mirror for directing the radiation into the opening, and a conduit for connecting thin ports in the probe with the spectrophotometer and with an external carrier gas source. The heat radiation emitter emits heat radiation for pyrolyzing the surface of the plastic product. The mirror is located near the aperture.