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.

«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 devicesSTRENGTH
Colorants with high color strength & dispersion propertiesCIRCULAR ECONOMY
First-class solution for circular economy requirementsCARBON FOOTPRINT
Significantly reducing the carbon footprint
Product highlights
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