Brand owners interested in conducting package validation testing (performance, filling line, shipping, etc.) and small test market distribution before committing to a wider launch, now have access to a cost-effective alternative. Additionally, converters needing development and production support also can tap into a new resource.
Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI) added new injection molding capability for prototyping and sampling of preforms, which reduces cost and lead time while improving speed-to-market.
“As an independent development resource, PTI works with both brand owners and converters to support launch efforts. Frequently, when the brand owner wants to conduct validation testing or test a PET packaging concept in limited distribution, there is difficulty in finding a supply source that can deliver small quantities. Additionally, bottle makers sometimes need to off load injection-molded preform production due to scheduling or capacity. PTI’s new capability can aid in both of these situations,” says Chris White, Supervisor, injection molding services.
PTI added Husky’s Adapt™ tooling capability to its new all-electric Arburg injection molding machine. The mold base features a valve-gated hot runner, which allows one to four cavities to be molded per cycle. If desired, a single cavity can be built for the initial development and then scaled up to four cavities for larger sampling requirements.
“This multicavity preform approach is ideal for supporting smaller product launches. These quantities are much smaller than those required by nationally-distributed brands which can be upwards of 5 million units,” White says. “Further, because of our 30-year track record in PET development and preform production, PTI can cost-effectively produce the preforms.”
In addition to PET, polypropylene, polylactic acid, polyethylene, bio-based polymers, and other materials can also be injection molded with the new tooling.
