Case Study: ArmorLiner24

NEW EARTH SOILS & COMPOST, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 

The Background 

New Earth Soils & Compost is a family-owned business based in San Antonio, TX. Their Houston compost facility accepts dated fruits and vegetables from big box supermarkets and wood waste from tree and shrub trimming operations. The materials are then mulched into composts of varying coarseness.

In the fall of 2011, New Earth began contracting with several municipalities in the Houston area to accept the biomass solids generated from multiple wastewater treatment plants. When accepted, the solids are largely sanitary but require additional processing to ensure that all pathogens are removed prior to conversion to a compost.

Unwanted debris

The biomass must be combined with a carbon source and a nitrogen source to be converted to a compost. New Earth uses the fruit and vegetable matter as the nitrogen source and the tree and shrub mass as the carbon source.

The mixture must be maintained at 160°F. It is windrowed and turned periodically with a special, self-propelled machine acquired by New Earth.

The Challenge 

With the addition of biomass to the product mix at New Earth, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) required that the ground beneath the processing area be lined with a geomembrane. The TCEQ also required that a site-water storage detention pond be lined. New Earth had retained Camp, Dresser, McKee (CDM) to provide site design services. CDM elected to use a woven coated geomembrane because of the cost-benefit ratio and the ease and speed with which fabricated geomembranes can be installed.

The Solution

Fabricated ArmorLiner panels being unrolled and deployed

The contractor, LDF Construction, Inc., turned to Wright Lining Inc. Steve and Alan Wright have been installing geomembranes for over 32 years. Donald at LDF Construction, Inc. knew he could count on them for a speedy installation. Steve Wright contacted Stan Slifer with Watersaver Co., Inc. in Denver, CO for guidance on cost and fabrication of a woven, coated geomembrane. Watersaver has fabricated over two billion square feet of geomembranes and was able to provide a quick turnaround with information and material.

Watersaver recommended Intertape Polymer Group®’s  24 mil, polyethylene AquaMaster® product. Because ArmorLiner 24 geomembrane liner is a light, high performance fabric it can be fabricated into large panels. In this case, Watersaver fabricated several large-sized panels; most measuring nearly 1 acre in size (192’ x 200’ or 38,400 sf).

Watersaver was able to fabricate and ship finished panels within a week of the order, which met the owner’s and contractor’s short timeline. Tim Toohey, Watersaver’s Production Operations Manager, described the welding performance of the ArmorLiner 24 as “Beautiful.”

With the arrival of the panels on pallets, Wright Lining went straight to work deploying material.

LDF Construction, Inc. had spent the week preparing the pond and the pad for deploying the liner. This meant fine grading and ensuring that there were no objects larger than a fist exposed in the soil. Items like the stick and the rock shown on the previous page had to be removed. Once the pond and pad were inspected and approved the liner was deployed.

Timing was critical, in this case, because the site was hit with a severe thunderstorm immediately after the panels were laid. Donald Robson, LDF Construction, Inc., expressed his gratitude at the ability of Wright Lining, using ArmorLiner 24, to deploy 130,000 square feet in under four hours! The pallets were positioned according to plan. The panels were then pulled out using local labor. The ArmorLiner 24 was welded using Leister Twinny T hot-air welders.

Steve Wright typically works with thicker mil reinforced geomembranes. He was initially concerned that the 24 mil ArmorLiner 24 would be too light for this project. He found that the material welded extremely well and that the liner was “tough as nails!” Steve says he’s looking forward to working with the product again in the future. He said he particularly likes the fact that the ArmorLiner 24 seaming process is quicker than that of other geomembrane options. With their project completed on time and within budget with ArmorLiner 24, Rob Smith, General Manager at New Earth, concluded: “Oh man — that stuff’s awesome!”

Learn more about IPG’s AquaMaster products: Call 1-800-565-2000 or visit itape.com/aquamaster.

How to Package Dads and Grads Gifts for Shipping

When packaging gifts, remember a gift that arrives damaged is a disappointment both to the recipient and the purchaser. 

According to the government’s U.S. Census Bureau, there are an estimated 72.2 million fathers across the U.S. This equates to a huge number of packages being shipped by e-commerce companies to deserving dads in the coming weeks. In fact, the National Retail Federation estimates that 77 percent of Americans will celebrate Father’s Day, with an average per-person spend of $133 per person driving overall spending up to a near-record $15.3 billion.

Early summer is also graduation season. How many students will receive gifts to commemorate their achievement? With all the high schools, colleges and universities, and other kinds of educational programs in our country, it’s hard to say for sure. But you can bet it is a number in the millions.

Will your company be looking to capture a portion of these sales? If so, you will want to be sure that your shipped products arrive undamaged and with a visual presentation that impresses the recipient and the purchaser. Doing so not only makes them happy about this purchase, it can plant the seed for future purchases.

Proven Strategies for Shipping Gifts

Both dads and grads appreciate attention to detail and a job that is done right. Here are some suggestions for impressing the people who receive your e-commerce shipments:

1. Use water-activated tape (WAT) for sealing cartons. Unlike plastic pressure-sensitive tape that may require multiple strips to achieve a passable seal, water-activated tape creates a permanent bond with the carton and a clean, professional look with just one strip. And, that strong bond can help prevent undetected intrusion, which is especially important with high-value products like jewelry and leather goods.
2. Get some low-cost “advertising” with branded tape. In addition to its other benefits, WAT can be branded with your company’s name, logo, or other information, increasing “brand awareness” wherever the package is seen.
   
   “#WAT can be branded with your company’s name, logo, or other information, increasing brand awareness wherever the package is seen.” TWEET THIS
3. Add your well wishes. A brief note included in the package can let the dad or grad know that you are happy for them as well. And in e-commerce sales, a little goodwill can go a long way.
4. Use ample padding. Saving a few pennies by skimping on the packing material will, quite often, cost you in the long run. A gift that arrives damaged is a disappointment both to the recipient and the purchaser.
5. Make the most of the interaction. Opening a package with a gift inside is bound to put a dad or grad in a great mood. What better time to tell them a little more about your company. Including a catalog, coupon, or a sample of another product in the carton is a great way to capitalize on their enthusiasm and create a positive association with your offerings.
6. Keep in mind special packaging requirements. If you ship heavy products like the grill, lawnmower, or easy chair that dad might want, wine that is a great gift for those who are “of age,” or other items that have unique shipping needs, be sure you take the time to pack them correctly.
7. Double-check the destination. How many gifts each year fail to reach their intended recipient due to a simple error in addressing? Far too many! Always confirm that the address on the package matches what was provided by the customer. And, be on the lookout for their mistakes as well. An address like 123 Loak St. possibly should have been provided as 123 Oak St. When in doubt, contact the customer. Whether the information given is right or wrong, they will appreciate your attention to detail. Also, be sure to put a copy of the address label in the box in case the exterior label is lost during shipping.

Stock-Up Now

Just like dads never run out of propane for the grill and grads always have plenty of snack food and caffeine on hand, you want to be sure you are well-stocked with WAT and water-activated tape dispensers. If you have questions about our products, please contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

Case Study: NovaLiner 24

OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECT

The Details 

• Type of Project: Construction of a 7-mile stretch of road along I-35 near Ardmore, Oklahoma
• Size of Project: Approximately 630,000ft² of AquaMaster® NovaLiner™ 24 geomembrane liner
• Traffic Information: Heavy traffic (I-35 is a major highway running North and South)
• Duration: Approximately 2 years

Roadways expand and contract due to underlying moisture

The Challenge 

I-35 is a major highway running North & South from Laredo, Texas all the way up to Duluth, Minnesota. A seven mile stretch of the highway near Ardmore, Oklahoma is prone to undulations in the pavement, owing to expansive clay beneath the road surface. As the moisture content of the clay increases the clay tends to swell, which causes a non-homogenous expansion and contraction.

This area (known as the Ardmore basin) experiences frequent changes in moisture content depending on weather conditions and the situation is compounded by wild temperature variations between 0˚F in the winter (-18˚C) and 110˚F (43˚C) in the summer.

These undulations have a detrimental effect to the road surface and as a consequence, the I-35 has required several repairs in this area since its construction in the late 1960’s.

Stabilizing the road base with geosynthetics 

The Solution

Because I-35 is a heavily travelled major roadway for both passenger vehicles and heavy trucks, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation was looking for a long term solution to maintain the problem soils that had necessitated multiple repairs over the years. The use of a moisture barrier, to control the swelling in the clay subgrade, was ultimately selected based on the principle that by shielding the clay, the geomembrane would minimize the opportunity for significant moisture changes in the pavement subgrade.

AquaMaster® NovaLiner 24 exceeded the original specification and had several cost advantages over alternative materials. It was selected as the premier geomembrane because of its:

✔ Strength properties
✔ Water impermeability
✔ Lighter weight
✔ Portability
✔ Puncture resistance
✔ Soil stabilization on slopes
✔ Cost savings

Design Involved

To maximize moisture control AquaMaster geomembrane was laid down on a base of lime stabilized subgrade and would be covered with a layer of crushed stone. Continuously reinforced concrete pavement with a drainable base were placed upon the crushed stone.

NovaLiner 24 Geomembrane provided in prefabricated panels

The geomembrane was brought to the site in prefabricated panels that were between 48’ to 60’ wide and 200’ long and covered approximately 630,000 SF. The panels were heat seamed together to ensure a water tight membrane. The use of prefabricated panels ultimately saved time and money by reducing the number of seams that had to be welded in the field.

Learn more about IPG’s AquaMaster products: Call 1-800-565-2000 or visit itape.com/aquamaster.

Case Study: NovaLiner 20

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY LANDFILL, MANASASS, VIRGINIA

The Details 

• Type of project: Installation of a fabricated landfill cover 
• Size of project: 338,400 FT² (31,438 M²) of Intertape Polymer Group® AquaMaster® NovaLiner 20 Black/White geomembrane liner 
• Fabricator: Colorado Lining Inc. (CLI) 
• Contractor: RM Sonderquist 
• Installer: Hallaton, Inc. 

A durable landfill cover was needed

The Background 

Prince William County needed a durable cover for a landfill project that would be able to stand up to the harsh conditions over two years of exposure.

The Challenge

The municipality had a very rigid specification that required extensive testing and supporting documentation in order to demonstrate the long term viability of using an AquaMaster® product in such an application.

The Solution

By working closely with the fabricators, contractors and installers, IPG was able to offer the NovaLiner 20 which met the rigid requirements of the job site plus offered a 2-year warranty required by the project specification. With CLI able to fabricate and supply custom fitted panels to the installer enabling Hallaton, Inc. to seamlessly place the material in an efficient manner and time.

The end result was a product placed in the field that had cost advantages over alternative materials and offered exceptional:

✔ Strength properties
✔ Performance properties
✔ Longevity
✔ Puncture resistance
✔ Chemical resistance

Learn more about IPG’s AquaMaster products: Call 1-800-565-2000 or visit itape.com/aquamaster.

7 Ways to Protect Your Packages from Rainy Days

Rain is one of the major challenges facing E-commerce businesses. How do you protect your packages?

In today’s competitive business environment, it is critical that the products you ship to customers arrive in excellent condition. Fail to meet a person’s expectations, and not only will they be disappointed and expect a replacement, they are likely to share criticism on social media and then find another provider. So, not only do you lose their business, it is likely that prospective customers in their social circle will be reluctant to shop with you as well.

One of the many shipping challenges e-commerce businesses face are the weather conditions packages are exposed to while in transit. Precipitation can wreak havoc on a package and its contents. You can’t stop the rain, but there are ways to minimize the risk of water damage to the items you ship.

“One of the major shipping challenges e-commerce businesses face is the environmental conditions packages are exposed to while in transit.” TWEET THIS

Strategies for Ensuring Your Products Arrive Dry and Undamaged

It is safe to say that there are no cost-effective, fully waterproof packaging options. However, there are strategies for making standard packaging more water-resistant and providing greater protectionfor your products. If the time of year, shipping destination, or both give you reason to believe your package may be delivered on a rainy day, try one or more of the following:

• ✔ Ship in corrugated cartons. Compared to cardboard, the three-layer construction of corrugated packaging not only provides a greater degree of water resistance, it is also stronger and less likely to tear while in transit.
• ✔ Use reinforced water-activated tape (WAT). Also known as paper tape, gummed tape, or Kraft paper tape, WAT creates a stronger seal that holds tight even in the worst weather conditions. 
• ✔ Pack items in new shipping cartons. While a previously used shipping carton may look like it has maintained its structural integrity, it has probably been weakened by the journey and is more vulnerable to weather conditions.
• ✔ Tape interior and exterior seams. Run tape along the interior seams of a carton before it is packed and sealed to help keep water out. Do the same to the exterior seams to provide even greater protection.
• ✔ Use watertight interior packaging. Shipping cartons are not fully waterproof, but the packaging you use within them can be. Place items in a sealed plastic bag to keep water that makes its way into the carton from affecting the product.
• ✔ Pad the shipment with non-absorbent packing materials. Padding options like air pillows will protect the contents of a carton without retaining water that can damage an item.
• ✔ Use padding to elevate the item. A package delivered on a rainy day may, unfortunately, sit outside in pooling water until the recipient retrieves it. Add ample packaging material to the bottom of the shipping carton to keep the product out of the reach of water that may work its way into the box.

Other Shipping Considerations

In addition to the actions you take to make a shipping carton more water resistant and its contents better protected from moisture, there are other considerations to keep in mind. For example, some shippers may have a better reputation for how they handle packages, especially in bad weather. The one that regularly takes the extra step to place a package in a sheltered area at the destination should get your business.

Also, you might consider alerting customers as they make their purchase that packages are delivered in all weather conditions. This reminder may prompt them to choose a delivery destination where the package will be protected or received in person.

Don’t Let Mother Nature Rain on Your (Product) Parade!

Your shipments don’t have to be at the mercy of the weather. With proper packaging materials, including WAT, and an extra step or two to increase a shipping carton’s water resistance, you can help ensure that products arrive undamaged and that your customers are delighted.

If you have questions about our water-activated tape, electric water-activated tape dispensers, and other products, please contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

How to Delight Mom with Creative E-Commerce Packaging

Adding "Wow" Factor to Your Packaging

According to the National Retail Federation, Mother’s Day spending is expected to reach $23.1 billion this year. More than 85 percent of Americans surveyed said they will be celebrating Mother’s Day. If your e-commerce business is shipping packages to moms, here’s an excellent opportunity to contribute to this joyous occasion by adding the “wow” factor to your packaging.

You’ll create potentially profitable goodwill not only with the recipient, but, as a bonus, with the sender as well.

When Mama is Happy…

It has been said that, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” To put a positive spin on that humorous truism, “When mama is happy, everybody’s happy!” Other than having her children around her on Mother’s Day, nothing makes mom happier than a thoughtful gift, beautifully packaged and received undamaged.

“Other than having her children around her on Mother’s Day, nothing makes mom happier than a thoughtful gift, beautifully packaged and received undamaged.” TWEET THIS

Here are some tips for packaging your e-commerce offerings in a way to get mom’s attention and earn her appreciation:

1. Use colorful packing paper and dried flowers. If you want to elevate mom’s excitement and anticipation, swap out or augment your standard packing materials with brightly colored packing paper and sprinkle in some dried flowers. You can be sure she’ll share this detail with her friends, and your company will get some free marketing in the process.
2. Include a special note for mom. While you may not know the recipient personally, you know how important moms are. Sharing that sentiment in a short note and wishing her a Happy Mother’s Day is a nice touch.
3. Include a sample of another product. Putting a free sample of another of your products in the box is not only a great plug for that item, it makes mom feel like she got a second gift!
4. Ensure that the gift is properly protected so it arrives undamaged. Nothing puts a damper on mom’s day faster than receiving a broken gift. Worse yet, in the same way that good news travels fast, bad news may travel even quicker. Mom may just call you for a replacement, but she’s likely to inform the sender as well. Plus, it’s possible that she’ll also share her good news/bad news story with her circle of friends. She may even share her experience on social media.   
5. Use water-activated tape (WAT) branded with a Mother’s Day message. WAT is superior to plastic pressure-sensitive tape for keeping packages sealed and their contents safe from damage or theft while in transit. Plus, you can have a message printed on your paper tape rolls so that mom feels the love even before she opens the shipping carton.
6. Pay close attention to addressing. Even worse than receiving a broken gift, is never receiving the package at all due to incorrect addressing, or indecipherable or lost address labels. Not only does this mean mom won’t get her gift, it can lead to awkward interactions with a sender who is wondering why they were never thanked. Double-check mom’s address before the package enters the shipping stream, and always put a copy of the address label in the box in case the exterior label comes off.

Other Important Considerations

As you would expect, shipping volumes rise considerably in the days leading up to Mother’s Day. If your e-commerce business has been in operation for multiple years, you likely know how much lead time to build into your picking, packing, and shipping processes. If you are a new business, be sure to factor in plenty of padding as you consider the purchase cutoff date to announce to your customers.

Also, if you deal in perishables, keep in mind that your product may have to survive longer in transit. Shipping days earlier in a given week tend to be better for these kinds of items, so that weekend downtime isn’t a factor.

Are You Ready for the Next Shipping Surge?

Whether it’s Mother’s Day or the next big spike in e-commerce purchases and shipping, it pays to be well stocked with WAT and electric water-activated tape dispensers. If you have questions about our products, please contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]

How to Choose the Right Tape for Your Needs

There are several factors to consider when choosing a packaging tape to use

Some people believe that any tape will do when it comes to sealing a carton. “If you use enough of this tape, the package will stay closed,” or so the thinking goes. However, the reality is that in a company’s shipping department, the decision on what kind of tape to use is critically important. Why?

There are several factors to consider, including:

• ✔ Efficiency
• ✔ Product damage prevention
• ✔ Appearance
• ✔ Theft prevention
• ✔ Branding opportunities
• ✔ Cost-effectiveness

Ultimately, the kind of tape a company chooses to use says a great deal about its focus on its employees, customers, and reputation. Is your company making the right statement with its selection?

“Ultimately, the kind of tape a company chooses to use says a great deal about its focus on its employees, customers, and reputation.” TWEET THIS

Plastic Pressure-Sensitive Tape vs. Water-Activated Tape

The two primary types of tape that your shipping department or packers have to choose from are plastic pressure-sensitive tape (PST) and water-activated tape (WAT). In order to decide which is best suited for your company’s needs, it is important to look at the characteristics of each.

PST

Also called plastic tape, poly tape, or packing tape, PST is a petroleum-based product that has a dry adhesive applied to a clear film. The adhesive sticks to the surface of a package when it is placed there and pressure is applied. The degree of initial adhesion is affected by how textured and clean the surface is, as well as how much pressure is applied. Continued adhesion varies based on environmental conditions such as heat and humidity.

WAT

Sometimes referred to as gummed tape, reinforced gummed tape (when fiberglass is embedded), paper tape, or Kraft tape, WAT is made primarily of white or natural color paper and starch-based adhesive. When water activates the adhesive and the tape is applied to a carton, the adhesive penetrates the surface of the carton and forms a permanent bond. WAT's bond remains intact in virtually all environmental conditions, as well as dusty and dirty settings.   

When to Use Plastic Pressure Sensitive Tape

PST may be the right choice under certain circumstances. For example, it might be all you need if:

• ✔ A strong seal is not necessary
• ✔ You are not concerned about rip-and-replace thefts from your packages
• ✔ You need tape that is transparent
• ✔ Your packages will not be exposed to changing environmental conditions

When to Use Water-Activated Tape

WAT is the best tape choice if you need: 

• ✔ A strong, permanent, tamper-evident seal on your cartons
• ✔ Tape that can have your company branding printed on it
• ✔ Earth-friendly tape that can be recycled
• ✔ Tape that maintains its integrity in all environmental conditions
• ✔ A fast, efficient, one-strip seal rather than multiple strips
• ✔ To increase packer productivity by using an electric tape dispenser
• ✔ Tape that protects package handlers from injury due to seal bursting
• ✔ To ensure that packers avoid repetitive stress injury resulting from using a handheld tape gun
• ✔ Fiberglass reinforcement for extra strength
• ✔ A cost-effective sealing solution
• ✔ Tape that is proven more effective in controlled studies 
• ✔ Packages that have a neat, professional appearance

Small Investment. Big Dividend.

Despite the many ways that WAT is superior to PST, many companies continue to use PST. One likely reason is that they already own several handheld tape guns and are reluctant to spend money on a better sealing solution.

However, electric water-activated tape dispensers and the tape itself are both affordable and cost-effective. This is especially true when you consider the many additional costs of using tape that doesn’t meet your needs—from product damage and theft to the negative impact on your reputation and lost sales.

If you have questions about water-activated tape and electric water-activated tape dispensers, we are always happy to answer them. Contact us at your convenience.

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[This post republished from the Better Packages Blog]