Friedrichshafen, Germany — Ampacet Corp. took a colorful approach to Fakuma 2018 in Friedrichshafen.
At the show, the Tarrytown, N.Y.-based materials maker focused on its broad range of colors and effects, molding strategic business manager Philippe Hugele said Oct. 16.
"We're telling a story with our new effects," he added.
Recent additions to the Ampacet lineup include FauxFoil — a metallic look — and black concentrates that don't use carbon black. FauxFoil presents the reflective, metallic gloss and shine of aluminum and is designed for use with PET, ABS, polystyrene and polyolefins.
Products made with the carbon black-free materials may be easier to recycle. Other looks and offerings from Ampacet include Liquid Metal, Fusion FX and ReptyleFX.
Colors and effects for Ampacet's line of masterbatch concentrates are developed with the firm's color insights team, which Hugele said looks at color and effect combinations in different markets.
The team also looks at the impact of socioeconomic trends on color choices. Ampacet's colors and effects are available in a wide range of resins, including polyolefins and PET.
"Our customers look to us for these choices," Hugele said. "They don't want just color; they want tactility.
"Color always has been important for branding, but now companies are changing the appearance of their products more frequently," he added. "Sometimes, a customer will want an effect in a different color, and we can do that."
Recent color trends have followed an interest in sustainability with more natural looks like marble and camouflage. Hugele said Ampacet has also seen more interest from customers for concentrates that use post-consumer resin.
Ampacet employs more than 2,000 worldwide and posted sales of $1.1 billion in 2017. Officials previously said that global sales in 2018 are on pace to be up 6-7 percent.
