Where the plastics industry is concerned, here there is challenge, there is innovation. This is certainly the case for Bedwas, South Wales-based Colour Tone Masterbatch. If the barrier to the widescale adoption of NIR detectable masterbatches for black plastic packaging has historically been price related, then the firm's announcement of its breakthrough in new colourants at some 60 per cent less than the original quoted costs is an exciting one.
Colour Tone Masterbatch currently employs 50 staff, with a turnover of >£5.5m. The colour and additive masterbatch manufacturer focuses on the delivery of high quality service and bespoke colours, in universal, commodity and engineered polymers, as well as custom additive blends. The company also prides itself on innovation and has launched a new generation of near-infrared (NIR) detectable masterbatches. The additive and masterbatch manufacturer says the range has been developed to satisfy brand owners end of life recyclability concerns for single-life black plastic tubs, trays & end films. The first two black masterbatches from its latest colouring system, the NIR black 958884 and 95893, are developed for polypropylene applications and can be applied to any other polymer to improve colouring and coverage capabilities compared to previous formulations. The NIR black 958884 masterbatch satisfies EU food contact legislation and is available at 0.21p per tray, representing a 60 % price saving compared to the costs quoted in the first WRAP commissioned project to commercialise this technology. A market first for an NIR detectable black masterbatch the 95893 also supports those applications required to meet the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) standards. As most black plastics packaging featured carbon black and pigments that absorb infra-red light, this rendered them invisible to NIR spectrophometers.
Colour Tone says it helped to pioneer the development to enable black plastics to be made visible to optical sorting methods. "Historically, the price premium for NIR technology has been a barrier to its adoption. We now have a masterbatch that delivers to brand owners and retailers the required eco benefits at a competitive price that has significantly reduced the gap between this and conventional carbon black pigments." said Tony Gaukroger, Director, Colour Tone. "By specifying these next- generation NIR colourants it not only allows for the effective detection and recovery of plastics at end of life: it also enables brand owners and retailers to find an alternative substitute to using virgin plastics, so they can effectively close the loop on this valuable waste stream."
Colour Tone have received support from Andy Bird via the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme, to provide support with export sales, recruitment, staff development and process improvement.
Learn more about Colour Tone Masterbatch.
You can find further information on Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP)