Smart recycling of dark plastics

Recyclability is a decisive factor for plastics design. When colored with carbon black, plastics go undetected by waste sorting machines. Even 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. Therefore, replacing carbon black with the newly developed NIR-reflective Sicopal® Black K 0098 FK contributes to smart recycling of plastics.

 

“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”, says 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.”

 

 

Recyclability by design includes food contact compliance

The new black offers high color 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. Thanks to its good NIR-reflectivity Sicopal Black K 0098 FK allows the reliable detection of the polymer even at high pigment content. With its excellent processing stability, it can even be

used for multiple processing steps and closed loop recycling. 

 

The Colors & Effects brand encompasses BASF’s well-known expertise in colorants and effect pigments for the coatings, plastics, printing, cosmetics and agriculture markets.