Detecting Unauthorized Subcontracting in Cross Border Supply Chains
Detect unauthorized subcontracting by reconciling raw material mass balance against electrical draw telemetry and conducting unannounced floor tooling audits.
Resin Compound Taggants
Meaning
Chemical tracing technologies involving the addition of microscopic markers to plastic raw materials allow for the definitive identification of the source of a finished part. These resin compound taggants are invisible to the naked eye and do not affect the mechanical or aesthetic properties of the plastic. By embedding these substances at the compounding stage, brand owners can verify that their suppliers are using the specified high quality resins.
Material Identification
Detectors tuned to the specific frequency or chemical signature of the marker can quickly confirm the presence of the authorized material. When resin compound taggants are found in a part, it provides proof that the manufacturer used the resin that was purchased from an approved vendor. This system prevents the common practice of blending expensive virgin resin with cheaper recycled materials or off specification alternatives.
Supply Chain
Tracking the movement of tagged resins from the producer to the molding facility creates a secure record of the material flow. This use of resin compound taggants helps in identifying leaks in the distribution network where authorized materials might be diverted to the gray market. It also allows for the precise tracing of defective batches back to the original resin production lot, facilitating more efficient product recalls.
Authenticity Test
Field tests using portable scanners allow quality inspectors to verify the integrity of parts at any point in the life cycle. The presence of the resin compound taggants provides a forensic tool in legal disputes over product failures or counterfeit claims. If a failed part lacks the required taggant, the brand owner can demonstrate that the supplier breached the material specifications, shifting the liability for the failure to the manufacturer.