Online Services May Aid Material Costs

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October 4, 2004
Both IDES Inc. and Resin Technology Inc. are offering new online services that give processors more information upfront on prospective materials, to help them choose resins that best fit their application and individual needs, including cost.

IDES Inc.'s new Alternative Plastics Search technology, released Sept. 8, searches the firm's database of more than 53,000 resins to cull resins with comparable properties.

Customers of IDES' Prospector materials database can use the technology to identify lower-cost materials that retain essential properties of more-costly materials, said IDES of Laramie, Wyo.

Annually, each customer pays $99 for a base package and $400 for each additional module, such as the new search technology. Also, IDES offers a basic, limited Prospector search platform.

The search technology permits a user to e-mail comparative data sheets instead of sending each resin data sheet independently.

In June one processor used an Alternative Plastics Search that recommended switching from nylon to a filled polypropylene copolymer for an application, IDES said. Trials began in September. The search identified projected annual savings from differences in material cost, specific gravity and cycle time.

``By replacing one grade, they anticipate a cost savings of more than $600,000,'' said IDES President Mike Kmetz.

Founded in 1986, IDES collaborates with more than 450 resin suppliers, posts database changes in two-week cycles and, by year's end, plans to issue a revised list every week. Between April and June, IDES added or updated 3,313 resin listings and removed or discontinued 1,691 materials.

The firm opened a sales office in Oyonnax, France, in April and intends in 2005 to begin releasing French versions of its products, initially with the X5 platform.

Separately, Resin Technology Inc. of Fort Worth, Texas, has begun a Web-based RTintelligence service to provide news, data, charts and industry trend analysis as a complement to its consultations.

Individual clients can access proprietary information tracking predetermined goals for reducing costs of materials such as resins, color additives and packaging. Also, RTintelligence includes real-time pricing benchmarks, resin purchasing patterns vs. market patterns, supply-and-demand factors and inventory levels.

``Our account managers formulate a comprehensive and individualized plan of action with a client,'' said RTI President Garland Strong. The plan provides a foundation and benchmark for each user's program, he said.

IDES Inc.: tel. (800) 788-4668 or (307) 742-9227, email.

Resin Technology Inc.: tel. (866) 733-8383 or (817) 569-0252, e-mail info@resinpros.com.