Material development
Designing a thermoplastic or elastomer compound that meets the requirement of the application, or reworking an existing one that no longer does.
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Materials and process services
We come in at different points in a manufacturing process, from developing a material that does not exist yet to finding out why an existing one has started to fail.
Services
Six areas of work
Most customers start with one of these and pick up others later. Each can be taken on its own.
Process optimisation
Improving cycle time, scrap rate, energy use and part quality on extrusion and injection lines, treating them as one problem rather than four.
CapabilitiesFailure investigation
Establishing whether a recurring defect or a field return is caused by the material, the process or the part design, which is rarely obvious from the outside.
Send a sampleRaw material substitution
Finding and validating an equivalent when a material becomes unavailable, too expensive, or non-compliant after a regulatory change.
Make an enquiryCircular transition
Raising recycled content, moving to mono-material construction and replacing restricted substances without losing the performance you need.
Our approachTechnical supply
Setting up the supply chain for materials we have developed or validated, including plastics and rubber in primary forms.
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Fixed scope work
Short pieces of work with a defined output
Before committing to a development budget you may want to see the problem clearly. These are built for that: a set scope, a set duration and a stated deliverable.
Technical second opinion
An independent review of a material decision or a supplier recommendation you already have. Output: a written technical opinion.
Failure diagnosis
Root cause analysis on defective parts you send us. Output: a findings report with corrective actions.
Material screening
A candidate list for a new application, assessed side by side. Output: a decision matrix with the reasoning behind it.
Process review
On-site observation and data collection at your line. Output: a list of improvement opportunities in priority order.
Deliverables
What you have at the end
When a project closes, what you are left with should be enough to run the material without us.
Recipe card
Full formulation: components, ratios, tolerances and mixing sequence.
Process parameters
Temperature profile, pressure, speed and cycle values, with the acceptable operating window around them.
Test reports
All characterisation results, each with its reference standard and measurement conditions.
Quality control plan
Which parameter is checked, how often, by what method and within what limits.
Supplier list
Verified raw material sources with alternatives and technical contacts.
Cost analysis
Material cost per unit and how it compares with what you were doing before.
Risk note
Known limits, conditions to watch for and indicators worth monitoring in production.
Handover session
A working session with your team covering the reasoning and the critical points.
Tell us what you are trying to solve
Whether you have a full development brief or a single production problem, the starting point is the same. Send us the application conditions and we will tell you what is realistic.