Warranty and Replacement

Warranty Policy

QUALITY ASSURANCE

At INDUSTRIAS DE CULIACÁN, we have established the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, which ensures that our films are produced following standard procedures that contemplate quality assurance in raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished products before they are shipped to customers. Product standardization and process controls are maintained for the manufacturing of plastic films, thereby guaranteeing the quality of our films and compliance with our customers’ requirements.

Our greenhouse cover films, tunnel covers, hydroponic bags, gutters, mulch films, etc., in their various dimensions, satisfactorily meet the values of mechanical and optical properties stipulated in their respective technical data sheets.

Material evaluations (mechanical and optical properties) are determined following internationally used ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards and methodologies.

The useful life of our materials (protection against ultraviolet radiation) is monitored in our laboratory using accelerated weathering chambers in accordance with ASTM G154.

CUSTOMER CLAIM PROCEDURE

1. NOTICE OF NON-CONFORMITY PRESENTED

All claims are channeled through our commercial department or authorized distributors of Industrias de Culiacán.
In the event of premature degradation, immediate notification must be given, followed by monitoring in subsequent days until the arrival of personnel from Industrias de Culiacán.

2. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A CLAIM

Email, letterhead, or any official document showing the non-conformity issued by the company, farmer, or customer addressed to Industrias de Culiacán, describing:
- A brief description of the non-conformity presented, requesting attention or technical service to evaluate the failure.
- Date of receipt of the material, date of use or installation, and date the non-conformity was detected.
- Evidence of the presented failure, such as: physical samples, images, videos, reports, etc.
- In the case of a report on agricultural film degradation, please provide information on the type of agrochemicals used and dosage applied, or alternatively, the empty container showing the instructions for use, as well as any other procedures performed in the greenhouse or cultivation area. Any information regarding this is useful for the analysis.
- Copy of the invoice.

3. VISIT, SAMPLE COLLECTION, AND DOCUMENTATION

Personnel from Industrias de Culiacán or the corresponding distributor will visit your facilities to perform an evaluation, take samples, and collect the documentation indicated in Section 2.

4. FINAL REPORT

The collected samples are sent to our laboratory or, if necessary, to external laboratories (Note 1) for analysis, with the objective of determining the cause of the non-conformity. The Quality Assurance Department will issue a report with the result of the investigation, which will be delivered to the Commercial Department to communicate it to the customer.
- Note 1: In the case of agrochemical and metal analysis, the external laboratory response time is 4 to 8 weeks. If weathering tests are necessary, they will take 500 hours for every three months of field exposure.
When liability and the amount of material to be replaced by Industrias de Culiacán apply, these will be carried out in accordance with our plastic replacement policies.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE OF MULCH PLASTIC

A. TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

✓ Place them on a flat surface free of objects, sharp points, or cutting pieces.

✓ Do not place heavy, sharp, or chemical objects on top of them.

✓ Do not drop abruptly, strike, drag, or friction their edges.

✓ Do not store together with chemical products.

✓ Do not place directly on bare ground prior to installation.

✓ Store in a cool, enclosed, and dry place.

B. INSTALLATION

✓ The use of the material must be as recommended and agreed upon when ordering; any use other than mulching must be analyzed beforehand to obtain the expected result.

✓ It is recommended that the material unrolls freely on a shaft supported by the mulch-laying machine’s structure rather than having the roll surface rest directly on the machine’s structure or rollers.

✓ The tension applied by the mulch layer in both longitudinal and transverse directions during plastic installation must not be excessive, so as not to thin the material and lead to premature rupture or degradation.

✓ Do not let the roll edges rub against the mulch-layer structure to avoid damaging the film during installation.

✓ Do not drag, strike, or drop the rolls abruptly during handling.

C. USE OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

✓ Carry out the recommended dosage and application frequency, keeping the use of products containing Sulfur, Chlorine, Iron, and other metals to a minimum.

✓ Avoid the accumulation of pesticides on the plastic surface, as this will promote degradation.

✓ When performing chemical disinfection or other procedures, keep in mind that the maximum amounts of Sulfur, Chlorine, and Iron that the plastic can tolerate are as follows:

ppm: Parts per million ✓ In general, levels above 1000 ppm of Sulfur, 50 ppm of Chlorine, and 25 ppm of Iron can decrease or compromise the integrity of the film.

D. SPECIFICATIONS

✓ Materials are supplied according to the characteristics and properties agreed upon when ordering, matching the crop, duration, use, etc.

✓ Colors and shades of materials are produced based on agreed standards with their respective maximum and minimum ranges.

✓ The appearance of the materials will be as agreed upon according to the standard and its respective variation ranges.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE OF GREENHOUSE AND TUNNEL COVER PLASTIC

A. TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

✓ Place them on a flat surface free of objects, sharp points, or cutting pieces.

✓ Do not place heavy, sharp, or chemical products on top of them.

✓ Do not drop abruptly, strike, drag, or friction their edges.

✓ Do not store together with chemical products.

✓ Do not place directly on bare ground.

✓ Store in a cool, enclosed, and dry place.

B. INSTALLATION

✓ When installing the film, the printed ICUSA logo must remain inside the tunnel.

✓ The structure must be free of rust, wires, sharp, or loose parts. Periodic inspections must be carried out to prevent failures.

✓ Where the plastic contacts the structure, it must have adhesive reflective tape or be covered with a light-colored water-based paint.

✓ If whitewashing is used during periods of highest radiation, use water-based products that do not affect the durability of the plastic. When removing the whitewash, use water or aqueous products that do not contain acids.

✓ Do not rub the rolls during installation.

✓ Do not drag, strike, or drop the rolls abruptly during handling.

✓ Do not install during the hottest hours due to the softening of the plastic, which causes excessive installation tension and can lead to severe contractions as the temperature drops.

✓ Plastic tension must be adequate to prevent it from remaining loose and generating friction on the structure (causing tears), but not too high to avoid premature degradation due to material stress.

C. USE OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

✓ Carry out the recommended dosage and application frequency, keeping the use of products containing Sulfur, Chlorine, Iron, and other metals to a minimum.

✓ Avoid the accumulation of pesticides at structure-plastic contact points, as well as spills or direct application onto the plastic.

✓ When performing chemical disinfection or other procedures, cover the ground with a barrier plastic to prevent it from affecting the cover. Ventilate the greenhouse thoroughly after disinfection or procedures.

D. SPECIFICATIONS

✓ Materials are supplied according to the characteristics and properties agreed upon when ordering, matching the crop, duration, use, etc.

✓ Colors and shades of materials are produced based on agreed standards with their respective maximum and minimum ranges.

✓ The appearance of the materials will be as agreed upon according to the standard and its respective variation ranges. ✓ Consult our development policy (PO-IYD-02).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE OF INDUSTRIAL PLASTIC

A. TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE

✓ Place them on a flat surface free of objects, sharp points, or cutting pieces.

✓ Do not place heavy, sharp, or chemical objects on top of them.

✓ Do not drop abruptly, strike, drag, or friction their edges.

✓ Do not store together with chemical products or contaminating agents.

✓ Do not place directly on bare ground before use. ✓ Store in a cool, enclosed, and dry place.

B. USE

✓ The use of the material must be recommended, agreed upon, and approved when requesting the material (rigidity, COF, seal), product to be packaged, or any other particular characteristic to obtain the expected result.

✓ Once received, it is recommended to use the material within the next 6 months to ensure good performance and processability. After this time, additives begin to lose their effectiveness, and the material may turn yellow and show partial blocking.

✓ It is recommended to consume the product following the FIFO (First In, First Out) system.

✓ Do not let the roll edges rub against the machine’s structure when unrolling to avoid damaging the film.

✓ Do not drag, strike, or drop the rolls abruptly during handling.

C. SPECIFICATIONS

✓ Materials are supplied according to characteristics and properties agreed upon when ordering, matching the type of packaging or use, machine, process, etc.

✓ Colors and shades of materials are produced based on specifications approved from development (transmittance and haze, when applicable) and/or agreed upon with the customer.

✓ The appearance of the materials will be as agreed with the customer based on our process.

WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT POLICY FOR MULCH PLASTIC

A. All claims shall be channeled through our commercial department or distributors authorized by Industrias de Culiacán.

B. Specifications

All material produced at Industrias de Culiacán must have its characteristics or properties required for good performance agreed upon beforehand, and the evaluation of any deviation will be based on these.
Once the product is manufactured according to the authorized specification, return or cancellation of the order is not accepted.

C. Receipt of Material

In case any non-conformity that could affect the installation or performance of the material is detected upon receipt, it must be reported immediately before use. When receiving your order, it is important to place comments regarding the conditions in which you receive your product on the documentation provided by the carrier. If not notified promptly, it will be understood that it presented no problem.
Applicable to this section: Collapsed, tilted, or broken pallets; packaging different from agreed.
Industrias de Culiacán is responsible for ensuring the material arrives in good condition to the customer’s facilities. The customer must have the proper infrastructure and equipment for proper material unloading.

D. Problems Presented Prior to or During Installation

If the received material presents any non-conformity that could affect its installation or performance, it must be reported immediately and not installed.
Applicable to this section: Poor winding, rolled edges, weak or collapsed spool, bruised rolls, material breakage during installation.
Once the material is installed, it will be understood that it presented no problem, leaving only the durability warranty in effect.

E. Criteria for Premature Degradation

Technically, a plastic film is considered degraded when its elongation percentage (ASTM D882 method) is less than 50% of the value before installation or exposure (see technical data sheet of supplied material).
Physically, the plastic film looks rigid, loses strength, and becomes brittle.

F. Start of Warranty

The warranty start date will be taken as thirty days after the invoice date or the date the material leaves our facilities.
In the case of maritime exports, the warranty start date will be thirty days after the date of receipt of the material by the customer.
We are not responsible for warranty reductions due to delivery delays caused by the customer (lack of payment, over-inventory, third-party cancellation, etc.).

G. Comply with the delivery of the information requested in the claims procedure – Section 2.

H. Our Quality Assurance Department must perform corresponding evaluations and prepare a report ruling whether the failure is attributable to the material or not.

I. Maximum permitted concentrations of Sulfur, Chlorine, and Iron in the plastic film:

In general, levels above 1000 ppm of Sulfur, 50 ppm of Chlorine, and 25 ppm of Iron can decrease or compromise the integrity of the film.

J. The liability of Industrias de Culiacán for the durability warranty is limited to plastic replacement in accordance with Section «K» herein. In cases where the customer does not require material replacement, by mutual agreement, our Credit and Collection Department will issue a credit note for the determined equivalent amount.

K. The quantity of material to be replaced is calculated according to the elapsed useful life time upon presenting breakage.

L. Replacement material will be delivered and/or shipped to the customer’s address at no cost.

M. Exclusions

a. Violent atmospheric causes (hail and strong winds that deteriorate the material).
b. Damage caused during installation due to improper use of the mulch-layer unwinder.
c. Exceeding the limits of sulfur, chlorine, and iron content in the plastic film indicated in Section «I» herein.
d. Excessive tension in both directions of the film causing thinning and premature degradation of the material.
e. Use other than indicated.

N. To make the claim effective, our recommendations for the optimum performance of Mulch Plastic must be followed and complied with.

O. Each case will be reviewed individually, considering all mentioned factors to reach a final negotiation.

WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT POLICY FOR GREENHOUSE AND TUNNEL COVER PLASTIC

A. All claims shall be channeled through our commercial department or distributors authorized by Industrias de Culiacán.

B. Specifications

All material produced at Industrias de Culiacán must have its characteristics or properties required for good performance agreed upon beforehand, and the evaluation of any deviation will be based on these.
Once the product is manufactured according to the authorized specification, return or cancellation of the order is not accepted.

C. Receipt of Material

In case any non-conformity that could affect the installation or performance of the material is detected upon receipt, it must be reported immediately before use. When receiving your order, it is important to place comments regarding the conditions in which you receive your product on the documentation provided by the carrier. If not notified promptly, it will be understood that it presented no problem.
Applicable to this section: Collapsed, tilted, or broken pallets; packaging different from agreed.
Industrias de Culiacán is responsible for ensuring the material arrives in good condition to the customer’s facilities. The customer must have the proper infrastructure and equipment for proper material unloading.

D. Problems Presented Prior to or During Installation

If the received material presents any non-conformity that could affect its installation or performance, it must be reported immediately. If any defect or anomaly is detected during installation, it must be reported promptly for case review.
Applicable to this section: Weak or collapsed spool, bruised rolls.
In the case of jumbo rolls showing poor winding, it must be notified promptly. There are seven days from the opening of the roll to raise the non-conformity; otherwise, its warranty for this item is void.
Once the material is installed, it will be understood that it presented no problem, leaving only the durability warranty in effect.

E. Criteria for Premature Degradation

Technically, a plastic film is considered degraded when its elongation percentage (ASTM D882 method) is less than 50% of the value before installation or exposure (see technical data sheet of supplied material).
Physically, the plastic film looks rigid, loses strength, and becomes brittle.

F. Start of Warranty

The warranty start date will be taken as thirty days after the invoice date or the date the material leaves our facilities.
In the case of maritime exports, the warranty start date will be thirty days after the date of receipt of the material by the customer.
We are not responsible for warranty reductions due to delivery delays caused by the customer (lack of payment, over-inventory, third-party cancellation, etc.).

G. Comply with the delivery of the information requested in the claims procedure – Section 2.

H. Our Quality Assurance Department must perform corresponding evaluations and prepare a report ruling whether the failure is attributable to the material or not (according to customer claims procedure timelines).

I. Maximum permitted concentrations of Sulfur, Chlorine, and Iron in the plastic film:

Normal resistance to agrochemicals

High resistance to agrochemicals.

In general, levels above 1000 ppm of Sulfur, 50 ppm of Chlorine, and 25 ppm of Iron can decrease or compromise the integrity of the film.

K. The quantity of material to be replaced is calculated according to the established criteria.

L. Replacement material will be delivered and/or shipped to the customer’s address at no cost.

M. Exclusions

a. Violent atmospheric causes (hail and strong winds).
b. Attack by oxidation of the greenhouse structure or fixing staples.
c. Wires or any sharp-cutting object.
d. Degradation caused by agrochemicals, metals (oxidation), or other substances.
e. Exceeding the limits of sulfur, chlorine, and iron content in the plastic film indicated in Section «I» herein.
f. Burning material or products inside the greenhouse.
g. Incorrect installation of the material.
h. Use other than indicated.

N. To make the claim effective, recommendations for the optimum performance of Greenhouse and/or Tunnel Cover plastic must be followed and complied with.

O. Each case will be reviewed individually, considering all mentioned factors to reach a final negotiation.

WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT POLICY FOR HYDROPONIC BAGS, GREENHOUSE FLOOR, AND AGRICULTURAL ROOF

A. All claims shall be channeled through our commercial department or distributors authorized by Industrias de Culiacán.

B. Specifications

All material produced at Industrias de Culiacán must have its characteristics or properties required for good performance agreed upon beforehand, and the evaluation of any deviation will be based on these.
Once the product is manufactured according to the authorized specification, return or cancellation of the order is not accepted.

C. Receipt of Material

In case any non-conformity that could affect the installation or performance of the material is detected upon receipt, it must be reported immediately before use. When receiving your order, it is important to place comments regarding the conditions in which you receive your product on the documentation provided by the carrier. If not notified promptly, it will be understood that it presented no problem.
Applicable to this section: Collapsed, tilted, or broken pallets; packaging different from agreed.
Industrias de Culiacán is responsible for ensuring the material arrives in good condition to the customer’s facilities. The customer must have the proper infrastructure and equipment for proper material unloading.

D. Problems Presented Prior to or During Installation

If the received material presents any non-conformity that could affect its installation or performance, it must be reported immediately.
Applicable to greenhouse floors: Poor winding, rolled edges, weak or collapsed spool, bruised rolls, material breakage during installation.
Applicable to agricultural roofs: Poor winding, rolled edges, bruised rolls, material breakage during installation.
Applicable to hydroponic bags: Torn bags, weak or open seal, material breakage during use.
In the case of jumbo rolls of greenhouse floors and agricultural roofs presenting poor winding, it must be notified promptly. There are seven days from the opening of the roll to raise the non-conformity; otherwise, its warranty for this item is void.
Once the material is installed, it will be understood that it presented no problem, leaving only the durability warranty in effect.

E. Criteria for Premature Degradation

Technically, a plastic film is considered degraded when its elongation percentage (ASTM D882 method) is less than 50% of the value before installation or exposure (see technical data sheet of supplied material).
Physically, the plastic film looks rigid, loses strength, and becomes brittle.

F. Start of Warranty

The warranty start date will be taken as thirty days after the invoice date or the date the material leaves our facilities.
In the case of maritime exports, the warranty start date will be thirty days after the date of receipt of the material by the customer.
We are not responsible for warranty reductions due to delivery delays caused by the customer (lack of payment, over-inventory, third-party cancellation, etc.).

G. Comply with the delivery of the information requested in the claims procedure – Section 2.

H. Our Quality Assurance Department must perform corresponding evaluations and prepare a report ruling whether the failure is attributable to the material or not.

I. Maximum permitted concentrations of Sulfur, Chlorine, and Iron in the plastic film (levels above 1000 ppm of Sulfur, 50 ppm of Chlorine, and 25 ppm of Iron can decrease or compromise the integrity of the film).

K. The quantity of material to be replaced is calculated according to the established criteria.

L. Replacement material will be delivered and/or shipped to the customer’s address at no cost.

M. Exclusions

a. Violent atmospheric causes (hail and strong winds).
b. Attack by oxidation of the roof structure or fixing staples.
c. Wires or any sharp-cutting object.
d. Material placed outdoors, not protected by greenhouse or tunnel cover (applies to greenhouse floor and hydroponic bag).
e. Material overload, which can cause excessive tension in both directions of the bag leading to thinning and breakage.
f. Degradation caused by agrochemicals, metals (oxidation), or other substances.
g. Exceeding the limits of sulfur, chlorine, and iron content in the plastic film indicated in Section «I» herein.
h. Burning material or products inside the greenhouse.
i. Use other than indicated.

N. To make the claim effective, recommendations for the optimum performance of Mulch (Greenhouse Floor) and Greenhouse/Tunnel (Agricultural Roof) plastics must be followed and complied with.

O. Each case will be reviewed individually, considering all mentioned factors to reach a final negotiation.

WARRANTY AND REPLACEMENT POLICY FOR INDUSTRIAL PLASTIC

A. All claims shall be channeled through our commercial department or distributors authorized by Industrias de Culiacán.

B. Specifications

All material produced at Industrias de Culiacán must have its characteristics or properties required for good performance agreed upon beforehand, and the evaluation of any deviation will be based on these.
Compliance with new requirements must be formally requested through your assigned sales executive or via our customer service department.
Once the product is manufactured according to the authorized specification, return or cancellation of the order is not accepted.
Material shades are produced based on specifications approved from development (transmittance and haze, when applicable) and/or agreed upon with the customer.
Once received, it is recommended to use the material within the next 6 months to ensure good performance and processability. After this time, additives begin to lose their effectiveness, and the material may turn yellow and show partial blocking.
Material warranty only applies to our direct customer’s process, not third parties.
For barrier materials, only the barrier intrinsic to the thickness of the agreed Nylon or EVOH layer is guaranteed.

C. Receipt of Material

In case any non-conformity that could affect the performance of the material is detected upon receipt, it must be reported immediately before use. When receiving your order, it is important to place comments regarding the conditions in which you receive your product on the documentation provided by the carrier. If not notified promptly, it will be understood that it presented no problem.
Applicable to this section: Collapsed, tilted, broken, wet, or contaminated pallets; bruised rolls; and packaging different from agreed.
Industrias de Culiacán is responsible for ensuring the material arrives in good condition to the customer’s facilities. The customer must have the proper infrastructure and equipment for proper material unloading.

D. Start of Warranty

The warranty start date will be taken as thirty days after the invoice date or the date the material leaves our facilities.
We are not responsible for warranty reductions due to delivery delays caused by the customer (lack of payment, over-inventory, third-party cancellation, etc.).

E. Comply with the delivery of the information requested in the claim procedure (Section No. 2).

F. Our Quality Assurance Department must perform corresponding evaluations and prepare a report ruling whether the failure is attributable to the material or not.

G. The quantity of material to be replaced or credited will be the quantity found affected in the problem analysis. Only film supplied by Industrias de Culiacán will be replaced, not external materials used in another process.

H. In cases where the quantity of failed material is a small volume and by mutual agreement with the customer, our Credit and Collection Department will issue a credit note for the determined equivalent amount.

I. To make the claim effective, recommendations for the optimum performance of Industrial Plastic must be followed and complied with.

J. Each case will be reviewed individually, considering all mentioned factors to reach a final negotiation.