Plastics Analytical Laboratory
Welcome to Plastics Analytical Laboratory
Proven expertise, knowledgeable staff with practical experience in a multitude of materials. Whether you need a single sample analyzed or are looking to outsource all of your analytical and technical needs, consider PAL. Quality results you can trust. PAL is an A2LA accredited laboratory.
PAL provides the fastest turn around – our average lead time is 3-5 business days; some testing may require extensive preparation and may take longer to complete. All testing includes a standard report and summary which are emailed and stores electronically as a PDF file. 24 hour service is available at an additional cost.
Failure Analysis
PAL has a proven track record of helping manufactures determine the reason for product failure. Our qualified technical specialists are able to provide the material testing and analysis of process issues that can affect the integrity of their parts.
Reverse Engineering
PAL can provide answers when you need to know the type of resin a plastic part is made from. We have the tools and techniques needed to assess parts via De- Formulation for the purpose of competitive analysis.
About Us
PAL provides complete analytical and technical services to the plastics industry. Services include new product development, material de-formulation, failure analysis, solving process or quality related issues and the development training programs.
PAL is an established laboratory with dedicated employees that are committed to helping our customers. We are confident that with our experience in materials and plastics engineering, we will earn your business and respect.
PAL operates with the utmost integrity, offering unsurpassed value to our customers.
Mission Statement
Deliver Laboratory, Technical and Engineering services for the plastics industry that continually meet and exceed customer expectations. We are a team of dedicated plastics professionals, with 75 years of combined industry experience in:
- Material Formulations
- OEM Application Development
- Custom / Captive Molding
- Quality Assurance Management
Team Bios
Director of Technology and Quality
In 1992, Curt started to work in the plastic manufacturing industry for his father’s company, Cal Wes-Tech. His father was a journeyman mold maker for 43 years and owned Cal Wes-Tech from 1972to 2012. Cal Wes-Tech was a premier Orange County mold design and manufacturer until its recent sale.
Initially, Curt was an apprentice mold maker and due to the personal and hands-on training from his father he quickly became a journeyman mold maker. Throughout his tenure at Cal Wes-Tech, his father ensured that Curt add to his day-to-day plastic molding experience with constant education in molding design.
From 1992 through 2012, Curt was very fortunate to acquire a diverse experience with numerous industry molds. Moreover, he was exposed to a wide spectrum of plastic parts, materials, and processing, including aerospace, medical, mechanical, and consumer goods.
At PAL, Curt uses his diverse and unique mold design/manufacturing experience to provide consulting and product development to OEMs and other customers. Additionally, his duties include testing and certification of plastic resins
Finally, few plastic testing laboratories have employees with Curt’s background and working knowledge of molds and plastic flow principles. Ultimately, he provides PAL’s customers the critical and valuable input for their product development.
Curt Schmuhl
- Hernan Soto joins the Modified Plastics team with over 10 years of experience in the plastics industry.
- He graduated from California State University, Chico with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering with a concentration in Polymer Technology.
- He also obtained a degree in Production and operations Management.
- He has built an extensive history in the field of Applications Development and as a Process Technician in the world of Plastics.

Hernan Soto
Why Plastics Analytical Laboratory?
PAL provides Independent Laboratory and Technical services specializing in Thermoplastic Materials
With our experience and knowledge in Compounding, Distribution, Manufacturing and Quality we are very capable and comfortable when problem solving our customer’s most critical issues and provide a true value. PAL strives to provide practical solutions to even the most challenging materials problems.
Our team can provide on-site consultation in areas such as Process trouble-shooting, Application development and Process improvement. We can also customize on-site training programs on industry related topics for your employees or customers.
The accuracy and reliability of test results are vital to our customer’s success; Every member of the PAL staff takes great pride in their work and clearly understands the meaning of Quality and Value. PAL may be utilized as an extension of your own Quality system or Engineering staff. Our Data can be used to qualify or characterize your products or as supportive documentation.
Green Initiatives
Promoting Sustainability and Environmental Leadership
PAL is committed to promoting sustainability and Environmental Leadership. Concern for the environment and promoting a broader sustainability agenda are integrated in PAL’s decision making and we promote sustainability awareness in the community of Santa Ana by adopting several initiatives aimed to reduce PAL’s environmental impact and raise awareness.
We believe that environmental awareness is not about being fanatical. What we are really talking about is balance, logic and a reconnection with the world in which we live. There is so much unnecessary waste that we generate in this world, there are so many unhealthy ingredients that we digest. There are so many things that we do not need or want, that get in our way! We want to empower our staff by creating awareness and by demonstrating best practice to the extent possible.
Principles
- Our Sustainability and Environmental Leadership Policy is based upon the following principles:
- To comply with, and exceed where practicable, all applicable legislation, regulations and codes of practice by integrating sustainability and environmental leadership practices into all management decisions.
- To ensure that all staff, and other stakeholders are fully aware of and committed with PAL’s Sustainability and Environmental Leadership Policy and actions.
- To minimize the environmental impact that results from PAL’s activity.
- To foster awareness, understanding, and action among staff and the community of Santa Ana about the local and global environment and sustainability challenges.
- To review, report, and to continually strive to improve our sustainability performance.
Action Plan
- In order to put these principles into practice we will:
- Implement a recycling program aimed to recycle 100% of the paper, printer cartridge, and drink bottles generated by PAL
- Make the all necessary efforts to use environment friendly products on its operations specially cleaning products and office supplies;
- Involve the staff and other stakeholders in local initiatives aimed to promote sustainability and environmental leadership
- Make all necessary efforts to minimize the use of energy by using energy efficient equipment such as light bulbs, building awareness among staff and maximizing the natural air circulation and the use of daylight, and by good housekeeping;
- Make all necessary efforts to conserve water by building awareness among staff
- Make all necessary efforts to minimize the use of paper by using online communication tools other office consumables and identifying opportunities to reduce waste.
- As far as possible arrange for the reuse or recycling of office waste, including paper, computer supplies and redundant equipment.
- Purchase fair-trade and/or organic beverages.
- Develop, implement and constantly improve an internal communications strategy to build awareness among the staff, and other stakeholders about PAL’s Sustainability and Environmental Leadership Policy;
- Hold monthly Sustainability and environmental leadership meetings with the all staff and make the results of the efforts available.
Testing Services
A Wide Range of Services
Plastics Analytical Laboratory offers a wide range of services, we can help you understand many polymer related issues via material analysis.
A Wide Range of Services
- DSC –Differential Scanning Calorimeter
- FT-IR – Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry
- Izod Impact
- Melt Flow Rate
- Ash Content
Additional technical services include:
- Providing technical service and support of processing thermoplastics
- Development and delivery of specialized training programs
- Design assistance, including CAD and Mold Flow Analysis
- Recommendations for Equipment, Tool Builders and Molders
World Class Accreditation
The mission of A2LA is to provide comprehensive services in accreditation and accreditation-related training. A2LA also offers programs for the accreditation of testing laboratories, calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, medical testing laboratories, reference material producers and product certification bodies.
