Colors & Effects has developed Sicopal Black K 0098 FK for smart recycling of dark plastics, which is a sustainable alternative replacing carbon black.
Recyclability is a decisive factor for plastics design and when coloured with carbon black, plastics go undetected by waste sorting machines.
Traces of carbon black can hinder the near infrared (NIR) sorting of polymer scrap due to the pigments absorbing properties. Consequently, the plastic cannot be detected for further recycling and the waste will be incinerated or landfilled.
The company says therefore, replacing carbon black with the newly developed NIR-reflective Sicopal Black K 0098 FK contributes to smart recycling of plastics.
The new black offers high colour strength, opacity and food contact compliance, allowing its use in sensitive applications, like the coloration of food packaging. It is suitable for all commonly used plastics materials, including high heat polymers.
Due to its good NIR-reflectivity, Sicopal Black K 0098 FK allows the reliable detection of the polymer even at high pigment content.
“The Colors & Effects research and development team has proactively taken on the industry need for recyclable black plastics that can pass through infrared sorting at materials recycling facilities”, said Dr. Christof Kujat, Head of Global Technical Industry Management for Plastics. As project lead, he has brought the new pigment to life:
“Building on our established Sicopal Black technology, we have developed a new member of the pigment family with the aim to optimize it for the use in packaging. In the end our team has succeeded in creating a new pigment for recycling of black plastics with improved value in use.”