COLOUR | PIGMENTS
Pigment makers tune in to sustainability needs
Developers of colour pigments are developing products for ever demanding performance needs while also addressing the specific sustainability goals of customers. Jennifer Markarian learns more
Pigment suppliers are demonstrating they are tuned in to the needs of the plastics colouring market, offering colorants for biodegradable and compostable plastics as well as high-performing options that can enhance the lifetimes of durable plastics and meet requirements in growing markets such as electric vehicles. Underpinning all these initiatives is recognition
that colorants are no less exposed to the increasing scrutiny of the environmental, health and safety performance of all materials used today. With this in mind, Lanxess recently started to offer verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for most of its synthetic iron oxide pigments. This EPD provides information on environmental perfor- mance using a cradle-to-gate approach to lifecycle analysis (LCA). “We expect the demand for detailed LCA data
across the supply chain to grow. We know from masterbatch manufacturers that they are already working on concrete strategies to reduce emissions along the entire supply chain,” says Stefano Bartolucci, market segment manager for plastics in the company’s Inorganic Pigments business unit. “EPDs provide buyers with a reliable basis for comparing the products of different raw material suppliers,” says Bartolucci, who adds that for raw materials, Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is a key metric. “Bayferrox pigments for which an EPD is available have a PCF of approximately 1.5–2.5 kg CO2
equivalent/kg product, as confirmed by independent auditors. This value can now be
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compared with that of other products.” Another growing focus is on colorants that are suitable for use in biodegradable plastics, which have restrictions on heavy metal content that can limit nickel-, chrome- or copper-based pigments written in to the key regional compostability standards. “The European standard EN 13432:2000 and the US specification ASTM D 6400 cover plastics and products made from them that are intended for composting in municipal and industrial aerobic composting plants,” Bartolucci says. “Lanxess offers two product lines in this area:
Macrolex soluble dyes and Colortherm iron oxide pigments make it easy to comply with both standards. Lanxess thus supports masterbatchers in formulating coloured, biodegradable plastics. In addition, the Inorganic Pigments business unit offers a unique service with pigment analyses: customers receive a recommendation as to how high the maximum pigment concentration of iron oxide pigments may be in low-heavy metal formulations of so-called bioplastics,” he adds.
Main image: Colour pigment producers such as Lanxess are addressing environmental impacts as well as enhancing mechanical, physical and aesthetic
performance in their latest developments
� September 2023 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 35
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