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NIR detectable black colorants for plastics

OPTIMIZING SENSOR-BASED SORTING
AND RECYCLING

The majority of conventional black plastics is colored with carbon black colorants and detectors with Near-Infrared (NIR) technology are responsible for the sorting of polymers. However, proper sorting is only possible, if the energy received by the plastic can be reflected. Carbon black pigments do not reflect in the NIR sorting devices, thus black polymers cannot be identified and sorted via this method. As a result, black plastic packaging such as pots, tubs and food trays often ends up as residue in landfill.

A SOLUTION FOR RECYCLABILITY OF BLACK PLASTIC PACKAGING

With the increasing demand from consumers and governments for environmentally friendlier products, Clariant has developed three new black colorants which allow the identification of the polymer by the NIR sorting devices. They can be used for various types of resins such as HDPE, LDPE, PP, PET, PS or PA.

With Clariant’s new black NIR detectable colorants, masterbatch producers and brand owners within the home and personal care as well as the E&E and food industries can continue to design and offer black packaging that can be sorted by NIR technology.

Clariant Image Carbon pigment powder

«With our newly developed black colorants we support our customers and brand owners to fulfill their commitments towards the Circular Economy»

Marc Zwart
Technical Manager Plastics at BU Pigments (STAR CENTER)
Clariant Plastics & Coatings (Shanghai) Ltd.

See our solution in action

  • DETECTABLE

    Making black plastic packaging detectable by NIR devices

  • STRENGTH

    Colorants with high color strength & dispersion properties

  • CIRCULAR ECONOMY

    First-class solution for circular economy requirements

  • CARBON FOOTPRINT

    Significantly reducing the carbon footprint

Product highlights

  • Solvaperm Black PCR

    Solvaperm Black PCR is a dye based black colorant not absorbing in the NIR light spectra. It exhibits excellent fastness properties and is suitable for various technical polymers. Tested suitable for plastic type identification using the microPHAZIR PC from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

  • Graphtol Black CLN

    Graphtol Black CLN is a pigment based black colorant not absorbing in the NIR light spectra. It exhibits excellent fastness properties and is suitability for various polymers, especially HDPE and PP. Tested suitable for plastic type identification using the microPHAZIR PC from Thermo Fisher Scientific.

  • Polysynthren Black H

    Polysynthren Black H is a deep black polymer soluble dye with high color strength and good heat resistance.

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