PACKAGING

TECHNICAL
SERVICES
Support for
• Materials
• Product packaging
• Adhesives and labelling

PACKAGING

PACKAGING
Technical Services
Smithers laboratory based testing offers controlled, repeatable and verifiable assessment of material
and pack performance. Print quality and durability extremes. Test facilities include cabinets with
programmable temperature and humidity
We can help you identify and solve problems cycling, accelerated daylight exposure, salt
With a comprehensive range of ISO 17025 accredited testing facilities and expertise available, our
with printed materials occurring in production, spray and a walk-in chamber operating from
Technical Services Group can meet the most demanding requirements of its wide customer base.
through environmental conditions and during -20°C to +60°C. Additionally, a thermal shock
end use. Support includes materials analysis, chamber is available, operating over the range
Paper testing Pack performance investigative assessments, post-failure analysis of -80°C to +220°C.
and support implementing preventative
We offer physical, surface and printability tests We work with packaging manufacturers, their
– typically performed on tissue, paper, board customers and suppliers on issues related to
measures during product development. Barrier Properties
and corrugated materials. All tests are made in product pack performance. These include pack Common assessments include:
Smithers determines the transmission of
accordance with International Standards. integrity, strength and functional assessments
• Abrasion, Rub and Scratch Resistance oxygen (Mocon 2/21), water vapour (Mocon
– often involving the development of bespoke
Smithers can test the physical characteristics • IGT Printability Permatran W3/33) and other gases – CO2, N2
test apparatus and test methods.
of CBS1 and CBS2 security papers and issue a etc. (Lyssy L100/5000) in conjunction with a
• Warping, Curl and Twist
certificate of conformity for papers meeting the Smithers tests closures to all aspects of the combination of pack integrity techniques, to
• Migration of Printing Inks into Food provide an understanding of the key film and
test criteria. BSDA code of practice, including the rotational
opening force test which was developed for pack properties determining product shelf-life.
Real time oxygen permeability can be assessed
Plastic testing push – pull closures by Smithers.
using the latest OpTech® optical fluorescence
O2 analyser.
A wide range of physical, barrier and thermal Test method development
testing is available, providing clients with
an objective understanding of materials in When standard tests are not available, we Proficiency services
conversion, on packaging lines and in use. will develop bespoke methods to allow the
performance of packaging and products to be We provide a range of proficiency testing
services, including, board and other barrier
Adhesives and labelling objectively evaluated. Methods are designed to
properties. Many customers use this as the
mimic process or consumer handling situations
such as hot melt gluing, pack stability and foundation for their own ISO accreditation.
Commercial hot melt bonding processes can
be simulated in a laboratory assessment using product risk assessment. High speed impacts Problem Solving Smithers is a co-ordinating and qualifying
on all pack materials, including glass can be laboratory for the European CEPI-CTS service.
the recently developed Smithers Adhesive
quantified. The Smithers Technical Investigations team
Performance Tester, avoiding the need for
offers a fast response service, providing
disruptive production line trials.
clients with problem identification and solution
Labels can be assessed against a wide range
Medical Device Packaging recommendations through a combination of
of International Standards, including BS5609 Testing laboratory and production line studies. The Support available includes
(Marine Immersion). team benefits from direct access to an in-
Smithers provides a comprehensive range of house workshop facility. • Laboratory testing
In addition, Smithers Adhesive Performance testing services for medical device packaging,
• Technical investigations
Testers are available to purchase. including:
• ISO 11607 testing
Environmental Storage • Test method development
• Proficiency services
• Integrity assessments Smithers can assess shelf-life through
• Problem solving and solution recommendations
• Shelf life studies accelerated storage and the durability of
• Transit studies materials and packaged items to climatic
 Packaging expertise from Smithers
Smithers provides world-class packaging expertise you can trust. We
can help you develop compliant and high-performance packaging whilst
overcoming environmental and supply chain challenges.

Our ISO 17025 accredited independent laboratories provide

comprehensive support for every packaging challenge. We test to a wide
variety of International Standards including ISO, ASTM, Tappi, BS and
ISTA, and are also part of the Amazon APASS accreditation scheme.
Our experts will help you comply with regulatory requirements, resolve
packaging issues, optimise performance and meet specifications.

Services include:
• Packaging materials selection • Failure and technical
and evaluation investigations
• Primary pack testing • Distribution testing
• Print quality and durability • Support with sustainability and
• Specification checks use of recycled materials
• Food contact compliance

Nicki Kessel Mark Taylor

GENERAL ENQUIRIES MATERIALS TESTING

nkessel@[Link] mtaylor@[Link]
+44 (0) 1372 802147

Geoff Collis Dave Stone

PROFICIENCY SERVICES PRINT AND SECURITY

gcollis@[Link]
dstone@[Link]
+44 (0) 1372 802138 +44 (0) 1372 802158

David Fisher
COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT,
CONSUMER

dfisher@[Link]
+44 (0) 1939 252456

Smithers, Cleeve Road,

Leatherhead Surrey,
KT22 7SA, UK

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