Fort Collins, Colorado, January 11, 2022 - VistaTek LLC, a leading custom injection molder based in Stillwater, Minnesota, has developed a plant-based planter that is one of the first plantable and compostable planters on the garden market, thus providing significant sustainability benefits. Leading automation specialist Muller Technology has partnered with VistaTek to deliver the latest in-mold labeling (IML) technology to facilitate efficient manufacturing and high-volume production.
The unique garden product is certified to ASTM D6400 industrial compostable standard and it is the first formulation to add nutrients to a plastic resin. VistaTek polylactic acid (PLA)-based planters are being used by Proven Winners, one of the largest national growers in North America and a supplier to Big Box retailers and regional nurseries. The 4-inch round planters introduced under the PW EcoPlus Grande series will be available to growers and retailers in spring 2022.
VistaTek garden planters are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic, fiber and rice hull planters, bringing significant sustainability benefits to the horticulture industry. Gardeners can plant pots in the ground and degrade them without removing them from the ground, and the nutrients compounded into the plastic will break down and provide nutrients to the plants, thus increasing the overall growth potential.
Mishek added that the planters meet the needs of commercial growers who want a less fragile structure, pleasing aesthetics and consumer functionality. "This is a significant development for the horticulture industry and we are very excited about our partnership and the ability of our innovative IML technology to help VistaTek meet its high productivity needs," said Taras Konowal, director of sales and marketing for Muller Technology.
New mycelium material can also be used as flower pots
Mishek says automation has played a major role in the success of the project. Brands saw the advantages that IML could bring, as earlier labeling technology was inconsistent, clunky, expensive and of low quality. In addition, traditional label decoration techniques such as pad printing and screen printing are unsustainable. vistaTek developed its first planter in 2014 and since then it has used different materials and now adds label decoration. The company has developed a special PLA formulation and a patented label structure.
With PLA labels in the mold and products stacked on a conveyor belt, IML equipment can speed up high-volume production while providing the flexibility to run other jobs on the same machine.
VistaTek expects to produce other sizes of cans for Proven Winners. The company also sells its own planters and drinkware under the SelfEco trade name.
