CMG Plastics, an injection and stretch blow molder of plastic packaging, is expanding its in-mold labeling (IML) capabilities by adding a fourth IML line to its plant in Somerville, N.J.
The company, also known as Custom Molders Group LLC, has nine other IML lines at its plant in Brantford, Ontario.
CMG makes custom and stock rigid packaging products. Its offerings include containers, cups, bottles and closures.
The new high-speed line from Ilsemann Automation, which CMG said cost about $500,000, will help CMG keep up with the global growth it expects to see in IML, especially among major beverage, food and consumer products companies.
"Consumer brand managers have dramatically shifted from 'requesting' to 'requiring' unique and environmentally responsible packaging solutions," Jens Duerr, business development director, said in a recent news release.
IML facilitates recycling by eliminating the need to separate packaging from traditional shrink sleeves or pressure-sensitive labels that are often not recyclable, CMG noted.
The process also allows for quick label changeover and speeds up package production, the company said.
"As an integrated part of the production process, using IML means we can turn out finished packaging at faster rates, especially when compared to packaging requiring secondary labeling or offline decorating processes," Duerr added.
The company specifically cited "unprecedented growth" fueled by consumer demand for nondairy products such as soy and almond milk.
He also cited Digimarc Corp.'s barcode/SmartLabel technology as an IML growth driver. In addition to the potential for streamlining inventory and supply chain logistics, SmartLabel can allow shoppers to obtain product information or perform self-checkout by scanning labels with their smartphones.
CMG employs 100 workers between its two plants.