“Our success with IML labeling has created significant cost savings for this customer”, said Matt Davidson, Xten’s CEO. “The durability of the label has extended the product’s useful life, saving the customer over $200,000 in the first year alone.”
Good Looking, Accurate and Durable
The stock of most labels is clear polyolefin covered in 5 silk-screened layers. The text describes the container’s intended use and provides appropriate warnings. In addition, each bar code number changes sequentially, ensuring that each container has a unique identification. There can be no duplicate units in circulation. Bar codes are the basis for tracking the usage of each container, and for the collection company’s billing.
“Perhaps the most challenging aspect of IML for this customer is the barcoding”, said Bill Renick, Xten’s president. “If the numbers ever get out of sequence, it shuts down the production line. Down time is not good for anyone”.
The containers must withstand heavy use, posing a molding challenge to ensure consistency in product quality and performance, even without consideration of the additional labeling requirements. After collection and disposal, each container is washed, sterilized and put back into service.
“After as many as 500 washings, the label must still be readable, particularly the bar code”, said Renick.
