IMLCON Awards: When it comes to IMD, the innovation is impressive

The In-Mold Decorating Assn. presented awards in its annual parts competition at the IML-IMD Conference (IMLCON) in October, recognizing the best of inmold decorating. Winners of the IMDA Awards Competition represent the best of the 47 entries from 17 companies worldwide. A three-judge panel selected the best in each of six categories, plus three honorable mentions based on creativity in design, engineering, and innovation.

While it's only the third annual IMD Parts Competition, the event—which is affiliated with the IMLCON—draws global competitors. And the submissions make for a tough job for the three judges. “We created an Honorable Mention category last year because some of the parts were so impressive that we just had to recognize some that, while not winners, really deserved the recognition,” says Clare Goldsberry, IMM contributing editor and one of the judges.
 
IML and IMD technology has come a long way, and keeps evolving as companies push the envelope to do things that haven't been done before. It shows in the parts submitted, and especially in the awards:

• Best IMD Durable Product went to sport bike manufacturer Polisport Plastics of Carregosa, Portugal, the OEM and molder of the Dirt Bike Front Fender, which provides the look of brushed metal without metal’s weight . A polypropylene substrate is overmolded on the front half, paired with a brushed-metal-appearance PP.

• Honorable mention in the IMD Durable Product category went to the CityScape Thermo Cup, submitted by Inland Label of LaCrosse, WI and molded by Technimark of Asheboro, NC. Brand owner LCR Hallcrest of Glenview, IL, Inland Label, and Technimark collaborated to develop a process in which thermochrome (temperature-activatated color changing) inks are successfully used for injection inmold products. Inland's proprietary label construction can withstand the rigors of the IM process, and allows for the use of highly reflective metallic inks.

• Best Injection Molded Part also went to Polisport, this time for its Dirt Bike Hand Protectors. The company used a two-shot injection molding process to create a high-gloss, decorated PP product with a thermoplastic elastomer surround for better hand protection in the event of a crash. Polisport’s double win was made possible by “exclusive technologies that are employed on the most advanced bike plastic parts in the market,” according to Polisport’s website.

• Best Label Design was awarded to Smyth Cos. Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) for its Coca-Cola Cup molded by Technimark. The molder approached Smyth to print an inmold label for a molded cup. A clear label stock was used to permit transparent nonprinted areas where the soda product could show through, creating a traditional glass Coke-bottle appearance.
 
• Honorable Mention in the Label Design category went to the patented technology 1-Seal (Maksapasteet), submitted by Arta Plast AB of Tyreso, Sweden. The inmold label not only is the lid for this package but also provides the sealing mechanism and the tab for opening, while eliminating the need for an inner foil or membrane to protect the product. The judges found that the use of inmold labels over the entire package presented an attractive package, and the rectangular shape conforms to sustainability requirements.
 
• Best Part Design also went to Arta Plast's 1-Seal for the Kupa (Arboga) package, again submitted by Arta Plast AB. This upside-down package is designed so the bottom can be used as a serving tray for the liver pate inside. The design of the top container permits the vacuum seal to be broken while opening without damaging the meat. Thanks to patented technology, the package can be sealed using the inmold label on the bottom tray as the sealing mechanism without the need for an extra inner foil or membrane.

“To create a new packaging solution and integrate the 1-Seal technology [the body is heat-sealed directly against the head] was a challenge but it was essential for us to succeed,” said Helge Stage, CEO of Arta Plast. “Cooperation with Arboga Pate/Atria has been hugely rewarding and working together despite a series of setbacks in the project, we constantly sought new ways towards the goal—we took a mature product to a whole new level.”

• Best Product Family award went to the Movie Theme Cups and Popcorn Buckets, submitted by mold manufacturer StackTeck in Brampton, ON for brand owner SriThai Superware Plc in Bangkok, Thailand. The use of inmold labeling gave these products an upgraded appearance from conventional movie theme cups and popcorn buckets.

• Honorable Mention for the Best Product Family went to Campi margarine packages, also submitted by StackTeck for brand owner Acegrasas SA (Bogota, Colombia). These packages received honors for their balance of good technical, functional, and appearance properties. The form allows for easy access to the product, as well as easy handling and storage.

• Best Thin Wall Packaging Product went to Clorox Decor Series Disinfecting Wipes, submitted by Union Street Brand Packaging and molded by Nypro Corp. The design challenge was to raise the consumer’s perception of disinfecting wipes by creating an attractive package that dispensed the wipes easily. The full-wrap IML comes in a range of patterns designed to complement home decor, and the seamless look is achieved by maintaining a consistent profile from the canister side walls to the cover. The dispensing lid has an integral living hinge with a secure audible snap closure to lock in moisture.
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