MATERIALS | COLOURS AND MASTERBATCH
Predicting colour trends in a time of Covid
Every year, leading companies involved in colour put out their views on trends for the coming months. In the plastics field, at least three – Am- pacet, Clariant, and PolyOne – put their heads above the parapet around the turn of this year. It will be espe- cially interesting, given the current crisis, to see how well their crystal balls worked this time. In December, Clariant said that
its ColorForward 2021 palette “yearns for human contact and searches for authenticity.” Judith van Vliet, ColorWorks Senior Designer and leader of the ColorForward team, said: “Where greens ruled 2020, warm oranges and yellows seem to be taking over in 2021. Blues and greens remain important,
ranging from deep nightly hues to softer aquatic tones. Brights have an artificial feel and are juxtaposed with enchanting darks.” In January, in Color Inspiration
2021+, PolyOne delivered four palettes that it said “reflect evolving global shifts and human fascinations.” These palettes “represent mindsets that draw from health and well-being, sustainable living, inspired playfulness, and a theatrical spirit”. One palette is called Real Reality. “As a growing number of consumers begin to opt out of technology, human interaction rises on the priority list,” said PolyOne at the time. Linda Carroll is Ampacet Global Insight and Innovation Director. Discussing colour trends earlier this year, she said: “Prevailing, regional socio- economic conditions have
always been a primary influencer of colour direction. This current pandemic however will influence colour prefer- ence on a global scale in four areas. The desire for health and wellness will be reflected in the desire for clean, aquatic blues and lifted, organic green palettes. Our personal sanctuaries have been threatened during this period of unrest, which will result in consumers gravitating to the global colour of trust and integrity, blue. “The pandemic infused a pervasive feeling of gloom and futility. Fortu- nately, human resiliency will prevail, and many will gravitate to colours of optimism and hope found in vibrant oranges (colour of fierce independ- ence) and bright, sunshine yellow values.
“Our desire for balance will be IMAGE: AMPACET
tempered by a sense of trepidation. As a result, earthy browns, and their clear association with physical and intellec- tual grounding, and the enriched purples – the colour of mystery and spirituality – will find devotees.”
chemicals and, of course, sunrays are causes of product damage. Sunlight, and particularly ultravio- let (UV) radiation, is the most harmful to plastic.” Two terms relate to a pigment’s resistance to UV
radiation, light fastness and weather resistance. These pigment properties may be tested in two ways: Full Shade – when the pigment is tested with only a binder and without additives; and Tint/ Reduction – test of the pigment at a lower concen- tration and usually with the addition of TiO2
.
Another property that is important to test is the pigment’s chemical resistance and how it responds chemically to other materials incorporated in the final product.
Goldstein says: “Kafrit asks each customer to complete a colour matching questionnaire that specifies the requirements the concentrate must meet in terms of hue, use, mechanical and thermal properties, regulatory requirements and more.” In addition to pigments, Kafrit prepares various
types of UV additives tailored specifically to client requirements. “Integrating the UV protection system into the pigments is a complex process and
42 INJECTION WORLD | July/August 2020
requires considerable knowledge and many years of experience, particularly for complex applications under harsh outdoor conditions,” says Goldstein. A special and specific colour adjustment is then performed to ensure compliance with the require- ments specified by the customer. The most preva- lent test for concentrates intended for outdoor use is the “accelerated weathering” test, which simulates outdoor conditions in terms of radiation, moisture, and heat. The tests are carried out in compliance with ISO 4892-2 international standard.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.polyone.com (Avient) �
www.clariant.com �
https://af-color.com �
www.rowa-group.com �
www.sukano.com �
www.ampacet.com �
www.riverdaleglobal.com �
https://chromacolors.com �
www.f-franceschetti.it �
https://kafrit.com
www.injectionworld.com
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