McHenry, Ill.-based Chroma Color Corp. (S25116) has launched its new biocompostable color master batch for difficult-to-recycle parts made up of combinations of different polymers or those used for in-mold labeling applications.
"Most consumers are not going to take the time to rip apart the paper and the plastic component," James Walsh, vice president of technology at Chroma Color, told Plastics News at NPE2024.
"Unfortunately, it just ends up in a landfill. [But] we're getting more educated as consumers.
"There are a lot of converters that have put a lot of technology and capital resources into their product," Walsh said. "They just can't completely change the whole technology they've invested in."
Chroma Color worked with its suppliers to create a PHA polyester that complies with ASTM-6400 and DIN EN13432 biocomposting standards, which specify requirements for the biodegradation of solid materials through composting plastics intended for aerobic composting in municipal or industrial settings and procedures for determining the compostability and aerobic treatability of packaging, respectively.
Chroma Color's technology team developed three new colors for one of its customers using a specifically designed carrier resin for the masterbatch, including 41OR0001SC41CO-F Orange 50/1, 41RD0001SC41CO-F Red 50/1 and 41WH000141CO-F White 50/1.
PHAs are a group of bio-based and biodegradable polyesters made by bacterial fermentation.
"Alone or when blended with other polymers, [PHAs] dramatically improve environmental characteristics while enhancing physical properties in a broad range of consumer applications," a news release said.
Pigments from Chroma Color's suppliers have also passed those tests, Walsh said.
Once customers mold their product with the material and color concentrate, they'll need to do their own compostability tests depending on the "form factor," or thickness and configuration of the part, he said, adding that they'll have a "95-99 percent chance" of meeting that standard because the ingredients have already passed.
"There's a certain amount of oxygen and nutrients that need to go into this testing procedure for it to pass," Walsh said.