While the development of innovative ideas, processes and products often earns a well-deserved spotlight, protecting that innovation afterward is just as critical as the initial development.
Any company, Ozol said, that continuously innovates upon its products needs to ensure that that innovation is taken care of well beyond the initial, exciting development.
“At this point, we either patent the material itself, where the technology is bringing some new idea to the application, or we patent the process to manufacture this fabric,” Ozol said. “By protecting this, we are adding value to our company.”
It’s also the job of Transhield, Ozol said, to ensure the company continuously strengthens its desire to being environmentally responsible, particularly because Transhield relies heavily on “chemically impactful” materials.
“As a company in plastics and packaging, we are always a part of the equation that gets criticized (regarding) the environmental footprint. As a company, about 10 years ago, we patented a material and process that is 100% recyclable,” Ozol said.
Though being an innovative industry leader comes with its fair share of challenges, Ozol said there’s also a tremendous amount of excitement.
“One of the best things about these productions, in R&D, is that you know that no one in the world created what you are making right now – that it’s being manufactured for the very first time. That’s a very good feeling,” he said.