RIGID PACKAGING
IML jar paves the way for supply chain efficiencies Packaging is immensely important to brands, especially in a retail setting. When the private label retail brand, Oh So Heavenly transitioned to Teqal’s 500mℓ IML jar for its range of body creams and body butters, it not only received brand-centric packaging with huge shelf appeal but also supply chain efficiencies that have proven very helpful to the business. By Abby Vorster
T
eqal Creative Packaging (Teqal) launched its 500mℓ lightweight circular cream jar with a 360° wraparound in-mould label (IML) in July 2020. Produced using a patented technology, the jar presents a game changer in packaging design, as the step in the jar – which traditionally holds the inmould label in place – has been eliminated. “This allows for the full surface of the jar, its full height and the base radius to be decorated with the label. The end result is a premium high-gloss or satin finish IML jar with the aesthetics of a shrinksleeve label but without the associated cost,” says Sean Kirkham, marketing and sales director of Teqal, a KZN-based specialist producer of rigid plastic packaging. Teqal’s IML jar is also eco-friendlier than the shrinksleeve option because it consists of a combination of 99.9% polypropylene and 0.1% ink which is 100% recyclable. And when compared to self-adhesive labels, the associated high production scrap rates are reduced with in-mould labelling. Producing sustainable packaging for the cosmetics industry is of great importance to Teqal. Globally, the industry is regarded as a major contributor to the plastic waste crisis as the majority of personal care product packaging is not recyclable. Kirkham comments: “The only way to change the impact of plastic on the environment is at product level where the uptake of recyclable and biodegradable solutions is likely to make a meaningful difference.”
A SOLUTION FOR EVERY CUSTOMER The 500mℓ IML jar from Teqal is an extremely favourable solution for locally manufactured hair, skin and body care products. This premium quality packaging is 100% home
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grown and it is both cost-effective and accessible to SMEs. Committed to local procurement, Teqal sources the labels from a leading South African label printer. This helps the rigid packaging producer to drastically reduce lead times with almost just-in-time supply and gives customers the freedom to order smaller quantities of labelled jars without any compromise on price. “MOQs can be a barrier to trade for SMEs. At Teqal, we don’t exclude the small business owner as our technology allows us to service this market efficiently,” Kirkham explains. “The technology is also scalable and can go from yielding an SME’s small volume order of 10 000 units to producing 5 million jars for a multinational brand, while keeping pricing competitive. Our energy efficient injection moulding machinery is German engineered and allows us to use a high level of automation to produce the IML jars in a single step.” The jars are 80% white (other colours are also possible) while the labels offer endless design and colour possibilities.
BIG ON BENEFITS Teqal’s IML jar is designed with the customer in mind. Via its patented technology, various benefits are passed onto the customer which add value to their business. These include: • a reduction in in-house packaging inventory • no compromise on price for smaller order quantities • flexibility when ordering coupled with just-in-time supply • an anti-counterfeiting solution as the IML jar cannot be copied • the elimination of additional labelling concerns • no cluttering on the production line • freedom to focus internally on filling and distribution strengths • a drastic increase in line efficiencies with far less labour.
