PIGMENTS | COLOUR
Suppliers serve up colouring and marking solutions
The most recent developments in colour platforms target sustainability, safety and durability while integrating function and enhancing performance. By Laura Florez
As the plastics industry evolves, so do the require- ments towards colour. Innovations revolve around safety marking, traceability and durability. A significant innovation is the incorporation of functionality into colour additives, particularly in laser-linked applications. As in other areas of the plastics industry, sustainability is at the front and centre. Additives to colour bio-based materials as well as solutions to detect and sort coloured plastics in recycling continue to make progress. According to Mark Ryan, Product & Market Manager at The Shepherd Color Company, a major trend is extending capability beyond just colouring into adding functionalization features. “The future is colour and function,” he said. As an example, he quotes the capability of the company to tailor infrared properties to reduce solar heat build-up in building products. He continued: “Black pigments that have been used in engineering polymers for decades can now be specifically engineered to support Laser Direct
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Structuring, enabling conductive pathways to be integrated directly into plastic components. This technology allows antennas and electronic circuits to be incorporated into moulded plastic parts.” Americhem also ventures into functional additives, with a new technology enabling laser marking solutions and therefore improving traceability. The new masterbatch and engineered compounds platform enables distinctly coloured laser markings on dark polymer substrates, expanding design and branding possibilities beyond traditional monochrome laser marking. “Traceability requirements continue to increase
across healthcare, transportation, electronics and industrial applications,” said Parminder Agarwal, Chief Technology Officer at Americhem. “Marking performance depends on how the material interacts with the laser system. By engineering that interaction directly into the polymer, manufacturers can improve consistency, reduce secondary operations and optimize marking performance for specific application requirements.”
Main image: Lanxess’ Colortherm iron oxide pigments provide thermal stability even at extremely high application temperatures. They exhibit no discernible colour shift and can be processed at temperatures well in excess of 300° C
� September 2026 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 17
IMAGE: LANXESS
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