High-end resin for high-end closures
Canadian Plastics
Risdon-AMS, a Naugatuck, Connecticut-based division of Crown Cork & Seal Company, makes high-end closures from DuPont's Surlyn resin. The closures, which are used with luxury fragrance bottles, are di...
Risdon-AMS, a Naugatuck, Connecticut-based division of Crown Cork & Seal Company, makes high-end closures from DuPont’s Surlyn resin. The closures, which are used with luxury fragrance bottles, are distinguished by ornate designs, color, patterns and thick walls. Dave Prague, manager of manufacturing engineering at the Risdon-AMS plant, says Surlyn is an ideal material for luxury fragrance closures because of the resin’s ability to be molded into parts with thick walls, as well as its superior clarity. Also, Surlyn has good compatibility with the alcohol and oils found in the fragrance itself.
Wall thickness of a closure can be up to 3/4 in. and cycle times run between 30 to 90 seconds depending on part design. The closures are injection molded in molds with four to eight cavities. Risdon-AMS offers advanced in-house design and decorating for its clients, which include Mary Kay Cosmetics, Donna Koran and others. Color concentrate masterbatches are used to impart distinctive hues and special effects, such as frosted glass. After molding the closure may be embossed, hot-stamped with foil or staked with metallized rings or nameplates.
“Uniqueness is very important to this market,” explains Prague, noting the supple feel provided by Surlyn appeals to customers.
Prague observes that the mark-up on a higher-end engineering resin is typically absorbed in the cost structure of the fragrance industry. “A fragrance closure goes on a product that can cost $200 and upwards. In this market, the competing closure material is often a metal, so Surlyn’s cost compares quite favorably all things considered.”
DuPont Canada Inc. 800-268-3943