Intertek, a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, is launching a paper testing facility at its existing site in Chicago, Illinois. The new lab will offer the full scope of testing services to standards set by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), further expanding the company’s package testing services in the United States, including ISTA transit testing and regulatory consulting. The TAPPI testing is complemented by same-site chemical analysis and Intertek’s packaging testing capabilities to assess the quality, performance and sustainability of paper and cardboard materials.
The growth of e-commerce, along with consumer demand and environmental concerns, make it important for manufacturers and retailers to ensure packaging is high-performing, lighter, inexpensive and sustainable. Intertek’s new lab employs TAPPI standards—which measure, evaluate and describe pulp, paper, and related products, including raw materials—to evaluate the quality, performance and safety of products like wrapping paper, kitchen rolls, party plates, single-use food containers, copier paper, corrugated containers and more. Additionally, the TAPPI facility can partner with Intertek’s chemical analysis lab in Chicago to evaluate products for harmful chemicals like lead, heavy metals, phthalates and other toxic elements.
Tim Hubbard, Senior Vice President at Intertek said: “Intertek’s focus has always been to provide end-to-end Total Quality Assurance solutions to help our customers meet the evolving demands of the industry. As more manufacturers and retailers look to ensure their products are high-quality, sustainable, safe and perform well, it is more important than ever to assess both paper and packaging. We are thrilled to offer the paper industry this state-of-the art testing and expertise to meet these demands in a timely, cost-efficient way.”
