{"id":2804,"date":"2022-05-25T06:23:41","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T06:23:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extrutec.co.nz\/?page_id=2804"},"modified":"2022-09-17T16:56:21","modified_gmt":"2022-09-17T04:56:21","slug":"innovations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extrutec.co.nz\/innovations\/","title":{"rendered":"How We Innovate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How We Innovate<\/h1>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Product development is the foundation of everything we do<\/strong>!<\/h2>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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We manufacture niche products and bespoke solutions using extrusion and biodegradables. <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It means that we do a lot of R&D and this inevitably leads to innovation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often we have to try (many!) new or different options to find a really good solution.  Biodegradable plastics have been around since the 1990 but it is only recently that consumers have really started becoming aware of it and product developers and manufacturers have really started using it on a great scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it is becoming more mainstream, manufacturing knowledge and processes are developing.  Working with biomaterials is not simple or easy because they have a very different chemical make-up being mostly derived from plant-based sources rather than petro-chemically based.  It requires different equipment, processes and knowledge than conventional plastics because biodegradable materials behave differently to plastics before, during and after the manufacturing process.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n\nWhy We Innovate<\/a>\n\n\n\nContact Us<\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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How do we innovate?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Innovation to us means taking an existing concept (or product) and changing or improving it to be even better than it started out.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Innovation also always means solving a problem or a pain point for users of an existing product.  A perfect example of this is the development of EarthTwine, our compostable growers\u2019 twine. <\/h4>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Example:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Growers have been using twine, or string, for a long time.  It provides a way for them to support their crops to stay strong and healthy while also improving yields.  Existing biodegradable twines from cotton, jute, coir and sisal do not always provide the strength required to support a crop for the entire season (pain point)<\/em> and they can be prone to disease causing pathogens (pain point)<\/em>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These twines are biodegradable, but composting times can be very long and unpredictable (pain point)<\/em>.  Plastic twines on the other hand provide the strength and durability growers want, but they stick around in the environment for many, many years (pain point)<\/em>.  EarthTwine solves the overall problem by providing the strength and durability required from growers\u2019 twine, without being a breeding ground for pathogens and it is safely compostable within a short time frame<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Our Approach<\/h2>\n\n\n
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1. Understanding the problem or pain point<\/h4>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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We follow a Customer Led<\/strong> approach to product development. That means that our starting point is always to understand the problem\/pain point before any decision or recommendation is made.  We spend time observing your process, doing the work with you, and listening to your issues and suggestions.  As an outsider looking in, we often have the benefit of looking at your problem in a new way, but we always value your experience in your area of expertise.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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2. Finding the right solution<\/h4>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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Finding the right solution may mean finding a completely new solution or approach to a problem.  So we spend a lot of time doing research and trials and this inevitably leads to innovation and find innovative alternatives. Every problem has a solution. Finding the right solution requires a clear understanding of the problem or pain point hence our customer led approach to product development.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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3. Setting clear expectations<\/h4>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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We do things a little different to many of our competitors.  When it comes to product development, we do not promise to turn your ideas into a reality.  Instead, we promise to find a solution to your problem\/paint point by working closely with you.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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4. With you till the end <\/h4>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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We understand that the first solution may not be the ideal solution, so we stick with you while you trial potential solutions and we incorporate your feedback into subsequent iterations. The product development process ends when you have a solution to the problem that works practically, technically, economically and is not harmful to the environment.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Latest Innovations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We currently have a range of different products that are in the research & development stage. These products are being developed to solve problems specific to certain industries in New Zealand. They will soon be ready to manufacture and distribute, right here in New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n