ORALABX: Integrate Mouthwash Formula, Packaging for Scale-Up
Peter Xie of the China-based OEM emphasizes that formula, packaging, and filling decisions must be settled together before commercial production begins to avoid costly issues.
The Challenge of Commercial Scale
China-based oral-care OEM ORALABX advises beauty brands to integrate formula, packaging, and filling decisions early in the development cycle for mouthwash products. Peter Xie, the company's OEM Project Director, states that a successful lab sample is merely the initial step.
Transitioning to commercial production demands that the formula performs consistently in larger batches, is compatible with chosen bottles and caps, and fills efficiently on the production line. Treating these elements as separate decisions can lead to significant challenges during scale-up.
Interconnected Production Elements
Xie explains that even minor adjustments in one area can create cascading issues elsewhere. For instance, altering a product's flavor profile might impact its clarity, while a different bottle or cap design could necessitate new compatibility tests. A liquid that appears suitable in a hand-filled sample must still behave correctly during automated filling and capping processes.
ORALABX stresses that the formula, flavor targets, color, clarity, bottle, closure, and filling method are interdependent and require simultaneous consideration.
Ensuring Quality and Repeatability
Once the product specifications are finalized, commercial production shifts focus to control and repeatability. This involves ensuring raw materials consistently meet approved standards and maintaining strict water quality. Adhering to precise addition sequences and mixing conditions is also critical.
Throughout the batch process, teams monitor practical aspects like appearance and pH. On the production line, attention is given to fill levels, proper closure application, leakage prevention, and overall pack appearance to maintain product integrity.
Implications for Asian Brands
For beauty brands, the key lesson is to involve manufacturers in packaging and scale-up discussions well before the final sample receives approval. Addressing potential issues related to bottle design, flavor, clarity, or filling methods early in the process is far more efficient than resolving them once thousands of units are already in production.
ORALABX views the approved product sample as the starting point for comprehensive production planning, rather than the conclusion of product development. This approach can significantly reduce costs and accelerate time-to-market for Asian brands.
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