Viva Healthcare will join forces with Topline to market and promote the tubes, which it has labeled as ‘ground-breaking’.
"We have invested heavily in the development of automation of this IML system and are now ready to run productions with superior quality than conventional tubes," said Alfred Choi, general manager of Viva Healthcare.
The deal will target the personal care and beauty industries with the technology which has been pioneered by Viva.
More durable and resistant
Unlike traditional tube decoration methods which are surface treatments, this technology embeds the artwork and according to company claims, produces tubes that are extremely durable and resistant to fading or scuffing.
The in-mold-label becomes part of the wall of the tube, providing structural integrity, Viva explains.
As well as improving the structural integrity of the product, the tubes are also eco-friendly.
The technology created by Viva combines the decorating and molding of polypropylene tubes into one simple procedure, eliminating any post-mold printing or labeling operations and costs.
No compromises
The process embeds photographic quality artwork into the wall of the tube, with total surface decoration even into the crimp area, which ensures there are no compromises to the image.
"The gravure printed labels, can be combined with an EVOH (ethylene vinyl alcohol) or an aluminum foil barrier to offer great shelf impact and excellent product protection properties, all at a very competitive cost," added Charles Chang, president of Topline Products LLC.
By the end of 2011, Viva predicts it will be equipped with a dozen machines in its production plants in China and Canada producing a total of 3.6 million tubes per month at each plant.
IML produces a lighter weight tube compared to traditional tubes, as it uses less resin. It also gives off fewer CO2 emissions as the tubes are made from polypropylene material, and also saves energy in the conversion process, and creates less waste.