COLOUR | PIGMENTS
Right: Finke has launched a new laser-activated additive, which can deliver a holographic effect inside the component, without surface damage
This technology was developed to help OEMs
meet growing traceability, compliance and product identification requirements, and it delivers durable, machine readable markings for applications in healthcare, transportation, building and construc- tion, electronics and industrial markets. Because marking performance depends on factors such as polymer chemistry, pigments, additives, laser wavelength and processing conditions, Americhem works closely with customers, to reach solutions tailored for each material and end-use requirements. The German supplier Finke has launched a new laser additive to produce a hologram effect inside the component, instead of achieving a laser marking at the surface. The energy from the laser activates a reaction within the plastic. The surface remains locked, flat and unchanged, while the optical properties of the material are modified from the inside. The result is a clean, rich marking of the polymer, without remotion of the material or changes in the surface structure. The hologram effect is particularly appealing in
coloured translucent plastics, such as PET, PETG, PC and PMMA. Here it is possible to achieve structures with high visual deepness and defined contrast. It is possible to achieve the effect with common near-infrared (NIR) and green laser systems, and no special laser sources are required, according to the supplier. This makes integration into existing production lines straightforward. Also, recycling properties are not affected.
Heat stability As the use of technical plastics in high-tech applications increases, so does the requirement profile for the pigments used for colouring. Heat stability of colourants is becoming a decisive quality factor. Lanxess features the Colourtherm brand, including a range of synthetic red iron oxide pigments that provide high thermal stability due to its proprietary manufacturing process. The com- pany fabricates the red types using pigments that are heated to up to 800° C; as a result, the micro- nized pigments show no visible colour shift, even at extremely high application temperatures, and can be processed without compromise at temperatures above 300°C, according to the supplier. As a service to its customers, Lanxess also conducts in-depth tests on the effect of pigments in polymer applications, measuring the heat stability in customer-specific formulations. For yellow colouring of polymers, Lanxess offers the modular Colourtherm Yellow product range, covering both saturated yellow shades and orange
18 COMPOUNDING WORLD | September 2026
tones. These special pigments are suited for HDPE, PS, ABS or PA, for example. Depending on the type of plastic, varying levels of thermal stability are required. “The special feature of our Colourtherm Yellow
product range is the high flexibility in pigment selection,” said Stefano Bartolucci, Global Market Segment Manager for Plastics at the Inorganic Pigments business unit. “In the case of colouring polyethylene, for example, it is sufficient for the pigments used merely not to exhibit any colour changes at processing temperatures of around 240°C. However, for applications using polyamide, polypropylene and polyphenylene sulphide, thermal stability of around 300°C is essential.” In the middle yellow, formulators have often
been forced to choose between the brightness of organic pigments and the durability and opacity of inorganic alternatives. Traditional inorganic pigments are valued for their excellent opacity, heat stability, and resistance to weathering, but they typically lack the clean, vibrant colour associ- ated with organic pigments. Conversely, organic pigments provide high chroma but often fall short in long-term stability and hiding power. Shepherd Colour has developed new technolo- gies to eliminate this trade-off. The NTP Yellow (Pigment Yellow 227) is a highly engineered inorganic pigment, based on niobium tin pyro- chlore (NTP), designed to bridge the gap between chromaticity and durability. The NTP Yellow 10P150 is chemically inert, non-migratory, and highly resistant to heat, UV exposure, and chemical attack, according to the company. Its ability to combine strong chromaticity with excellent opacity and durability makes it a solution for coatings, plastics, and other high-performance applications where colour retention and coverage are critical. Complementing this mid-shade yellow is
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IMAGE: FINKE
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