What is material traceability? 

Material traceability refers to the process of tracking and documenting the origins, journey, and current status of materials within the supply chain. At Plastics International this means that every piece of material is meticulously labeled to capture key information such as:

• Manufacturer Details: Who produced the material? 
• Batch and Lot Numbers: Which production run does it belong to? 
• Date of Receipt: When did Plastics International receive it? 

Why is traceability critical?

• Ensuring quality control - Our customers often operate in sectors where precision is non-negotiable, such as automotive, medical device, and aerospace. If a defect is identified in a finished product, traceability allows our manufacturers to pinpoint the specific batch of material, analyze the root cause, and take corrective actions
• Compliance and certification - Regulatory bodies across industries demand rigorous documentation for materials used in production. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires stringent traceability for plastics used in food packaging or medical applications. A clear traceability system ensures that materials meet all regulatory standards and certifications. 
• Supply chain transparency - In today's sustainability-focused landscape, our customers increasingly demand transparency about where their materials come from. Traceability provides a clear record of the material's origin, supporting environmental initiatives, and ethical sourcing practices. 

How does it work in practice? 

When a new shipment of plastic sheets, rods, or tubes arrive from a trusted supplier, each piece of material is immediately inspected, labeled, and entered into our company's database. This label includes: 

• Plastics International part number
• Material description 
• Manufacturer's name
• Batch number
• Lot number
• Date received

The label stays with the material until an order is placed. When a customer places an order, this label ensures that the exact origin and specifications of the material can be communicated to them. 

At Plastics International, we pride ourselves in maintaining material traceability, to ensure that every piece of plastic carries a history that guarantees quality, compliance, and accountability. If you have questions about material certifications, reach out to our knowledgeable sales team at sales@plasticsintl.com or (952) 934-2303.