With Advanced Plastiform, Inc, a custom designed part can be developed, prototyped and produced in as little as six weeks for some projects. API's engineers deliver concept to reality projects on a regular basis.

American consumers want to support companies that prioritize recyclability and sustainability. In a recent survey, 42% identify as eco-friendly purchasers.1 Given that the U.S. consumer products market is valued at well over $600 billion,2 the voice of nearly half of the customer base is an expensive one to ignore.

Understanding the latest plastic injection molding industry trends — and partnering with a custom injection molder to apply them in creating highly differentiated products — translates to sustained success. It also gives you greater control over quality, cost, and time to market.

The paradox in the push for U.S.-based manufacturing is the shortage of skilled labor. An estimated 2.1 million jobs will be vacant in the manufacturing sector by 2030,4 and 54% of manufacturers already report significant difficulties in finding qualified workers.5

While these resin alternatives mimic many of the characteristics of traditional injection molding materials, their biodegradability also raises some concerns.

There are a variety of different materials used to manufacture custom plastic parts. Each material offers a range of different properties making some materials a better solution depending on the custom plastic part.

As an industry leader, API produces highly engineered custom plastic parts designed to your specifications. The expert engineers on staff are ready to assist you from concept to delivery.

As with other industries, the consumer market continues to struggle with the impact of the unanticipated and prolonged resin shortage.  The plastic injection molding market size isn't what it used to be.

The duration of the resin shortage is unpredictable, compelling Kaysun to take problem-solving to the next level. For OEMs wishing to mitigate regional supply chain disruption, Kaysun offers collaborative global supply strategy development.

Please contact us today by calling  919-404-2080 or filling out our form to discuss your custom plastic manufacturing needs.

Consumer applications are diverse. Simply having products on the market isn't enough to build a customer base or keep pace with the competition.

For more on assessing the injection molding industry for consumer market new product development, download our tip sheet, What Type of Injection Molder Do You Need?  Click the button below for your free copy!

But, it is our people who make this possible. It’s our people who make our customers happy. And, it’s our people who make API a great place to work.

The labor shortage is a thorny issue, but it's given rise to forward-thinking solutions that allow for doing more with fewer employees. On the whole, industrial robotics isn't a new innovation. However, technological advancements have robots providing timely assistance and benefits to consumer market OEMs and injection molders alike:

API is a customer-driven company. We measure our success by our customer’s satisfaction. We manufacture the best parts possible, delivered on time, and focused solely on meeting our customer’s needs.

Since 1988, Advanced Plastiform, Inc., has been providing superior custom plastic molding and fabrication services to companies in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Contact us to make an appointment Mon-Fri 8-5.

No doubt about it, new opportunities for consumer market applications present new challenges for manufacturers. Companies with loads of plastic injection molding industry experience, such as Kaysun, help you understand and incorporate the trends, processes, and resins that support your product goals, provide a competitive advantage, and help you innovate for the future.

Finding suitable replacements for nylon, acetal resins, polysulfone (PSU), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), and syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) isn't as simple as swapping out resins. It requires collaboration with your injection molder to qualify and test alternatives to ensure they are true solutions.

Durability can be an issue, as can cooling temperatures and moisture encountered during production. Injection molders with expertise in resin characteristics, behaviors, and selection can counter these measures with particulate fillers, reinforcing fillers, and other additives that change the structure of bioplastics without robbing them of their eco-friendliness.

Manufacturers often require custom thermoformed and injection molded plastic parts for finished deliverables. Advanced Plastiform, Inc of North Carolina offers custom plastics innovation with cutting edge technology and managed inventory.

The same group of American consumers that weighed in on the importance of sustainability also feel strongly about where products are made. "Made in the U.S.A." is a definite decision driver.

Broadly speaking, suppliers from different countries of origin (typically at least one onshore and one offshore plastics supplier) are identified for materials fulfillment. Should a vendor not be able to fulfill an obligation, Kaysun already has a backup vetted and ready to step in to keep production timelines and project costs on track.

Of course, reshoring experienced an uptick during the pandemic. Working with U.S.-based suppliers — even local injection molding companies — for the first time, or the first time in a while, reminded OEMs of the benefits of reshoring:

Injection molding industry trends suggest that a number of factors influence applications within the consumer market, such as:

Enter resin alternatives. Bioplastics made from renewable resources such as sugar, starches, and soy continue to gain traction in injection molding. Popular choices3 include: