US-based packaging solutions provider Intertek has expanded its film and flexible polymer testing services at Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
The company's service expansion will help material engineers and scientists better understand how material permeation characteristics respond to external stimuli in commercial, industrial, food, medical and pharmaceutical applications.
The stimuli include moisture, temperature, humidity and thickness.
Intertek's newly added capabilities will help manufacturers determine barrier properties of their materials.
The capabilities will also enable them to meet applicable requirements such as ASTM 3985 for oxygen barrier resistance, and ASTM F1249 for water vapor transmission rate.
Intertek Pittsfield director James Galipeau said the company expanded its services after listening to its customers and closely monitoring industry trends.
"This recent investment in testing equipment that will deliver fast and accurate data aligns with Intertek's overall mission of adding value to our clients' products and processes," Galipeau added.
As part of service expansion, the company has installed new flexible polymer packaging equipment that allows for Gelbo Flex, Hot Tack and Package Burst/Creep testing to evaluate end-use seams and heat seals.
Intertek also installed new Mocon PERMATRAN 33/3 MG Plus permeation equipment that measures water vapor transmission rate data useful for applications, such as quantifying the breathability of clothing, barrier protection of building materials, and determining the shelf life of packaging.
The company's another equipment Mocon OX-TRAN 2/21 ML determines oxygen transmission rate and valuable insights on shelf life.
