PolyOne and Merck KGaA Launch 3D Technology

Plastics Decorating

SUBMITTED

IM3D is a new technology from PolyOne that enables manufacturers to realize extraordinary 3D imagery on packaging and consumer electronics.

PolyOne, Kansas City, Missouri, collaborated with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to launch IM3D, a technology enabling manufacturers to realize extraordinary 3D imagery on packaging and consumer electronics.

With IM3D technology, manufacturers can create surfaces that appear to have depth and structure, although they are perfectly flat. Several processing steps previously were necessary to generate this effect in a polymer surface. Now, the 3D impression is created in just a single step during the injection molding process. The effect turns packaging components, such as covers and wrappers, as well as polymer housings, into distinctive eye-catchers.

IM3D decoration technology can be incorporated into standard injection-molding machine production lines. The technology is made possible by combining Merck KGaA’s expertise in development of pigments with the color concentrate formulation expertise of PolyOne.

For more information, visit www.polyone.com or www.emdgroup.com.