TECHNOLOGY | COLOUR MANAGEMENT


known that items containing recycled materials may exhibit slight grey tints, black specs, or other minor imperfections, which can impact appear- ance. By transitioning to Chroma Color’s environ- mentally friendly G-Series, D6 was able to lower let-down rates, process products at lower tempera- tures, reduce transport costs, lower its carbon footprint, use less colour concentrate, and de- crease warehouse storage requirements. Edward Dominion, Founder & CEO of D6, said: “We now have an excellent PCR product to offer our customers, one that exhibits an appealing shelf presence, reduces costs, and provides additional sustainability benefits.” Chroma Color is supporting a growing number


Above: House with plastic roof and siding made using Chroma Color products


data could assess the intrinsic colour of incoming recyclate batches more quickly and accurate- ly. In some cases, they could even propose how achievable a target colour shade is likely to be.” Against this backdrop, constantly rising costs, and various other headwinds, it is more important than ever to work closely with customers to ensure requirements are met. Earlier this year, Rowa pulled out all the stops to develop a masterbatch for Phoenix Contact, a manufacturer of charging systems, to be used in a new protective cover for vehicle charging sockets. The integrated light guide displays the charging status via RGB colour signals, a key comfort and safety feature of modern e-mobility. The light guide was not only required to transmit colour-variable signals, but also to distribute them evenly across the entire compo- nent geometry. The central task then became to develop a light guide that produced consistent illumination in polypropylene (PP). PP is robust and widely used in the automotive


industry, but poses challenges in optical applica- tions because it tends to scatter light diffusely, which can result in light spots, colour shifts, or uneven illumination patterns, a clear quality disadvantage for visual displays. Cooperation between the customer and Rowa’s technology team enabled the optical parameters to be analysed and addressed and the Rowalid PE- A220A LD masterbatch was developed.


PCR application Another company shifting focus to help customers achieve their sustainability objectives is US manu- facturer Chroma Color, which cites a partnership with D6 as a recent successful example. It is widely


12 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2026


of companies shifting from traditional building materials to plastics paired with advanced colour solutions in industrial applications. In roofing, for example, suppliers are increasingly adopting plastic components because they are lighter, more resistant to cracking and corrosion, and easier to install. These materials can replicate the appear- ance of classic slate or metal finishes through the use of advanced colour concentrates. A similar transition is occurring in exterior siding where traditional wood siding is being replaced by composite materials and premium vinyl solutions that replicate a natural look. Modern manufacturing techniques, combined with advanced colour masterbatch, enable detailed wood-grain textures and a wide range of natural- looking colours that mimic stained or weathered wood. At the same time, these materials eliminate many of the disadvantages of wood such as rot, insect damage, and frequent maintenance, while delivering consistent performance.


Agriculture In agriculture, thermoformed plastic sheets are now widely used due to their lighter weight, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. “By integrat- ing polymer science with advanced colour technol- ogy, we can precisely engineer materials that withstand harsh environments while maintaining long-term appearance,” said Zach Zander, PhD, R&D Director, Chroma Color. “This is where innovation truly drives value for our customers.” Late last year, the company announced expand- ed capabilities in rotomolding colour solutions with the acquisition of Spectra’s facility in Corona, California, US, which helps it deliver high-quality, customised colour solutions including cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) resin powders. The Corona facility produces a proprietary resin primarily composed of linear low-density polyethylene


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IMAGE: CHROMA COLOR


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