The Life Cycle of a Polymer - Part 2
The Base Polymer Has Been Created…But that is Only Half of the Process
Step 5 – Tweaking the Formula
Although the base polymer has unique properties establish during the initial manufacturing process, the powder still needs our exclusive blend of ancillary ingredients to achieve the desired pick-up, control, set time and overall workability.
Step 6 – Pigmentation
Color development for acrylic powders is not just technical; it is artistic. It is a collaboration of the R&D team, marketing, sales and education. Colors are developed in the lab and a variety of looks must be considered. After the in-house team has chosen a color, it is tested by nail technicians who work in the salon everyday. Despite all of the research and internal work, it is truly the nail technicians’ opinions that drive this process and ultimately determine which colors get added to the line.
Step 7 – Creating Bulk Materials
Once the finished product formulation is determined, the manufacturing department creates it in bulk quantities to develop inventory levels for orders, and issues a batch number for the bulk materials. Because we make all NSI polymers in-house, we have the luxury of quick product turn-over. This means we can manufacture in smaller quantities, which results in newer, fresher product being shipped. This increases the shelf life of the product for the nail tech.
Step 8 – Retain Sample Procedure
Before the drums of bulk product are sealed and stored in our warehouse, a retain sample is collected and labeled with the corresponding bulk batch number, allowing for easy tracking in the event of any quality, raw material or regulatory issue. It also ensures that if all material has shipped, we have a representative sample in house to investigate any issue quickly and thoroughly.
Step 9 – Packaging
Packaging of NSI polymers is also handled in-house. NSI has invested in a variety of filling machines that accurately fill containers with the appropriate amount of product. It is during this stage that the containers are labeled and marked with their batch number. The finished product then gets sorted in a case-pack.
Step 10 – Preparation for Shipment
The polymer, packed in case quantities, has reached the end of its travels through NSI when it is stored on the shelves of the shipping department. Here, it will be picked for orders, packed in boxes and shipped all over the world. Its final destination is the work station of a wise nail technician with excellent taste.
