COLOUR MEASUREMENT | TECHNOLOGY
Advances in software and spectrophotometer technology are helping compounders deal with inconsistency in recyclate colour and other issues. Mikell Knights reports on developments
Suppliers make strides in colour management
Advances in spectrophotomer capability and software development and integration are taking colour measurement equipment and software for plastics compounding and production towards higher precision, automation, and connectivity throughout the value chain. The newest develop- ments tout digital approaches that enhance the efficiency, consistency, and overall quality of the plastics production process. Global masterbatch and additives manufacturer Ampacet’s latest advances in colour measurement and colour correction, introduced at the NPE 2024 show in May, include the presentation of FluxQF, its new generation of quick-flow mono-pigment colourant technologies designed to counteract the poor quality and inconsistency of post-consumer recyclate (PCR) and post-industrial recyclate (PIR). FluxQF also prevents the wasteful overuse of the base colour masterbatch by metering small amounts of individual pigment to properly correct colour during production, using the new Spectro- metric 6 inline colour correction system (see below), said Douglas Brownfield, Commercial
www.compoundingworld.com
Director of Ampacet’s LIAD Smart colour automa- tion solutions.
FluxQF is a highly loaded pigment formula that allows for low usage rates. The pigment is incorpo- rated into a universal carrier that is compatible with PE, PP, PET, PS, ABS and PC. The pigment improves the quality of the base material by achieving improved distribution of colour with reduced swirls and gels, while minimising the cleaning costs and other issues typically associated with liquid colours. The pigment provides good hiding power which allows for increased use of PCR content, Brownfield said. The mono-pigments incorporate patented quick flow melt properties for fast incorporation and proper colour correction based on the base colour masterbatch formulation being utilised. Ampacet offers FluxQF in five base mono-pig-
ments, which include blue, green, orange, white and yellow. All FluxQF colours, whites and blacks, are FDA food-grade approved. Custom FluxQF colours are also available. Ampacet said FluxQF is suited to PCR compounding, recyclers of PCR and PIR materials and for profile extrusion processes.
Main image: High precision is a key objective in colour measurement
� July 2024 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 43
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK / PTICELOV
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
