Smithers provides product / package compatibility testing to help manufacturers, packaging suppliers and brand owners assess how consumer product formulations interact with packaging components throughout storage and use. Our testing programmes can identify potential compatibility issues and provide evidence to support packaging component selection and reliable packaging performance throughout the product's intended life.
Using recognised and customised testing methods, we can assess packaging components against actual products and relevant environmental conditions to identify potential material degradation, stress cracking, corrosion, weight loss and other changes that could affect packaging performance.
Stress cracking and chemical resistance
Assess the resistance of plastic packaging components to chemical reagents and actual product formulations, including environmental stress crack resistance. Testing can help identify chemical degradation, stress cracking and other changes that could affect component integrity, performance and suitability.
Environmental exposure and compatibility
Evaluate packaging components under environmental conditions relevant to their intended application, including thermal cycling, freeze-thaw conditions and other environmental exposures. Testing can also assess the compatibility and storage stability of mechanical pump and dispenser parts and the effect of actual product exposure on packaging components.
Corrosion and component compatibility
Assess the compatibility and performance of packaging components where product contact or environmental exposure may affect component integrity. This includes corrosion resistance testing for metallic components, as well as compatibility assessments for pumps, dispensers and other packaging components.
Relevant standards include ASTM D543, ASTM D6654 and ASTM D4333. Where standard methods do not fully reflect the packaging system or application, customised evaluations can be developed around specific product and packaging requirements.
Testing can provide evidence to support packaging decisions before commercial launch, helping manufacturers identify potential compatibility issues and select components that are capable of performing reliably throughout the product's intended storage and use life.
Our experts can help identify appropriate test methods, assess packaging performance following product exposure and interpret results to identify potential compatibility issues. Whether you are selecting packaging for a new product, assessing a packaging change or investigating a compatibility issue, Smithers can provide the testing expertise and technical insight needed to support confident packaging decisions.
Using recognised and customised testing methods, we can assess packaging components against actual products and relevant environmental conditions to identify potential material degradation, stress cracking, corrosion, weight loss and other changes that could affect packaging performance.
Product / package compatibility issues we help investigate
The interaction between a product and its packaging can affect the appearance, integrity and performance of packaging components over time. Smithers can help investigate issues including:- Stress cracking or chemical resistance of plastic components
- Changes to packaging components following exposure to the actual product
- Corrosion of metallic packaging parts
- Changes in component appearance or decoration following product exposure
- Weight loss or other physical changes to packaging components
- Compatibility issues caused by temperature changes, environmental exposure or storage conditions
- Compatibility of pumps, dispensers and other mechanical packaging components with the product
Product / package compatibility testing capabilities
Smithers can assess compatibility across three key areas, with testing programmes tailored to the product formulation, packaging components and conditions the packaging is expected to encounter.Stress cracking and chemical resistance
Assess the resistance of plastic packaging components to chemical reagents and actual product formulations, including environmental stress crack resistance. Testing can help identify chemical degradation, stress cracking and other changes that could affect component integrity, performance and suitability.
Environmental exposure and compatibility
Evaluate packaging components under environmental conditions relevant to their intended application, including thermal cycling, freeze-thaw conditions and other environmental exposures. Testing can also assess the compatibility and storage stability of mechanical pump and dispenser parts and the effect of actual product exposure on packaging components.
Corrosion and component compatibility
Assess the compatibility and performance of packaging components where product contact or environmental exposure may affect component integrity. This includes corrosion resistance testing for metallic components, as well as compatibility assessments for pumps, dispensers and other packaging components.
Standards and customised testing
Smithers performs product / package compatibility testing using recognised ASTM methods alongside customised test programmes developed around specific packaging components, product formulations and intended conditions of use.Relevant standards include ASTM D543, ASTM D6654 and ASTM D4333. Where standard methods do not fully reflect the packaging system or application, customised evaluations can be developed around specific product and packaging requirements.
Supporting packaging development and performance
Product / package compatibility testing can support new consumer product development, material and component selection, product launch validation, packaging redesign, supplier qualification and investigations into packaging performance issues. It is particularly valuable when introducing a new formulation, changing packaging materials or components, or assessing whether an existing packaging system remains suitable for a product.Testing can provide evidence to support packaging decisions before commercial launch, helping manufacturers identify potential compatibility issues and select components that are capable of performing reliably throughout the product's intended storage and use life.
Supporting confident packaging decisions
Every product and packaging system presents different compatibility challenges. Smithers works with clients to develop testing programmes that reflect the formulation, packaging components and conditions the packaging is expected to encounter.Our experts can help identify appropriate test methods, assess packaging performance following product exposure and interpret results to identify potential compatibility issues. Whether you are selecting packaging for a new product, assessing a packaging change or investigating a compatibility issue, Smithers can provide the testing expertise and technical insight needed to support confident packaging decisions.
