MARKETS | MASTERBATCH


Right: UBQ Materials has launched a masterbatch product portfolio for its circular material made from mixed household waste


dosing system, Gotor added. Delta Tecnic’s new Super Small Pellet (SSP) masterbatch technology was developed to further improve colour homogeneity and dilution efficien- cy. The reduced diameter of the pellet enables faster dilution, accurate dosing, and uniform dispersion, avoiding segregation and surface irregularities, said Gotor. The SSP was initially designed for PVC, and it is now being validated in other thermoplastics. “Its advanced production method eliminates cryogenic grinding, lowering energy use and fine particle formation. It also allows small-batch manu- facturing (from 25 kg), giving customers flexibility to customise colours and properties while maintaining process stability and sustainability,” said Gotor.


Fillers and carriers In addition to use of PCR, companies are using a wide range of fillers from sources including minerals, wood, and agricultural waste, for exam- ple, to help achieve sustainability goals (see Compounding World’s articles in May and June 2025 for more details). Masterbatches are used to solve the problem of dealing with dusty, poorly flowing, or low bulk density fillers. Additives, such as compatibilisers, provide further benefits when integrating incompatible materials into the mix. In May,UBQ Materials launched a masterbatch


Below: Coperion’s C-Beyond digital platform is used by German masterbatch manufacturer CPC for


multiple tasks


product portfolio for its circular material made from mixed household waste. The new masterbatch form is in addition to its existing commercial UBQ thermoplastic composite material, produced from a manufacturing facility in The Netherlands. The company said that UBQ Masterbatch offers good handling and dispersion, cost competitiveness and a negative carbon footprint. Suppliers have begun offering 100% PCR carrier


resins for masterbatches, so that companies can achieve 100% PCR in their formulations. Bio-based


carriers are also available, including compostable carriers. Chroma Color, for example, launched three colour masterbatches, an orange, red, and white using a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bio-based polyester carrier resin, that complies with ASTM D-6400/DIN EN13432 standards for compostability.


Digital technology New technologies – including artificial intelligence (AI) tools, inline measurement, and advanced process control – enable faster, more efficient, and higher quality production and can help master- batch suppliers meet performance expectations. While AI-based tools are at various stages of development and use, the trend to automation and digital systems is well underway. “Digital systems can take over repetitive and


IMAGE: COPERION 28 COMPOUNDING WORLD | December 2025


routine tasks, enabling our teams to focus more on creative, analytical, and complex responsibilities that truly add value,” said Gabriel-Chemie. “We also see great potential in the integration of AI into this digital transformation. While we are still in the development phase, we are exploring how AI can help recognise process patterns, support predic- tive adjustments, and optimise production work- flows. We see particular potential in AI-assisted forecasting, predictive maintenance, and digital quality management to improve reliability and responsiveness. Looking further ahead, applica- tions such as AI-based formulation support, inline quality measurement, or the use of large language models for knowledge management could open new ways of combining human expertise with intelligent systems.” Extruder manufacturer Coperion’s C-Beyond digital platform provides real-time tracking of production that allows companies to evaluate overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and maxim- ise operational efficiency. German masterbatch


www.compoundingworld.com


IMAGE: UBQ


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