PIGMENTS | COLOUR
Colour impact: suppliers boost their offerings
Colour pigments and masterbatches for thermoplastic compounds aim for high visual appeal with a lower environmental impact. Jennifer Markarian reports on the latest products
Colour in thermoplastic compounds provides visual appeal, brand recognition, and sometimes a critical function, such as the orange signifying high voltage cables and connectors. But choosing a colour pigment goes beyond a colour match to include performance and regulatory requirements. In addition, environmental impact is gaining importance for all ingredients of compounds, including colours. Colour requirements for thermoplastic com- pounds have become increasingly technical and complex, and regulatory requirements are influenc- ing the selection of pigments that can be used, said Lars Schulze, Head of Colour Development and Material Sciences at Grafe. A trend is for colouration of more complex, demanding formula- tions, such as combining colour with highly filled or flame-retardant compounds. Recycled materials and bio-based compounds (discussed later in this article) are a new focus in colour development. A megatrend is the reduction of the environ- mental impact of chemical activities, added Klaus-Dieter Baumgart, Chief Technology Officer of Sudarshan Chemical Industries
(SCIL). Reduced environmental impact includes increasing use of bio-based and biodegradable materials, reducing trace impurities in pigments, and minimising the product carbon footprint (PCF) of colour solutions. “At Sudarshan, we are actively engaged in transforming waste or by-products into new products to avoid landfill or incineration. For example, during Pigment Green 7 production, sizable amounts of aluminium sludge are gener- ated, which are purified and converted into aluminium oxide [for applications including cosmetics]. Another example is the conversion of diluted waste phosphoric acid from quinacridone production into calcium hydrogen phosphate. All these activities contribute to Sudarshan’s drive to
Main image: Ampacet’s new Kaleidoscope masterbatch collection for transparent colours uses solvent dyes
www.compoundingworld.com
September 2025 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 15
IMAGE: AMPACET
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