Packaging materials and supplies

New black enables the recycling of dark plastics

Sicopal® Black K 0098 FK is a sustainable alternative to the use of carbon black in plastic packaging. Thanks to its excellent process stability, Sicopal Black K 0098 FK can be used for several processing steps and closed recycling loops.

6 May 2020

Black plastics are difficult to sort by plastic type using optical processes. (Image: EVorona/Shutterstock.com)

A new black pigment now offers an alternative to the use of carbon black in plastic packaging. It has been optimised for use in packaging and can be collected by near-infrared sorting in material recycling plants.

Thanks to its excellent process stability Sicopal Black K 0098 FK can be used for multiple processing steps and closed recycling loops.

Today, recyclability is a decisive factor in product design. Plastics coloured with carbon black remain undetected by waste sorting machines due to the absorbent properties of the pigments. Even traces of soot can hinder the sorting of polymer waste with near infrared (NIR).

Food from black plastic trays — Previously, black plastic was coloured with carbon black. This made intelligent recycling impossible. This can now change thanks to Colors & Effects. (Image: Prostock-studio/Shutterstock.com)

As a result, the plastic cannot be recognised for further recycling and the waste is incinerated or sent to landfill. Because of this problem, replacing carbon black with the NIR reflective Sicopal® Black K 0098 FK contributes to the intelligent recycling of plastics.

"The research and development team at Colors & Effects has responded to the industry's need for pigments that enable recyclable black plastics to pass through NIR sorting in material recycling plants, and based on our proven Sicopal technology, we have developed a new member of the pigment family and optimised it for use in packaging. In the end, our team has succeeded in developing a solution for the recycling of black plastics with improved product properties."
Dr Christof Kujat, Head of Global Technical Industry Management for Plastics

Recyclability combined with suitability for food contact

The new black offers high colour strength, opacity and fulfils requirements for sensitive areas of applicationThis means that it can be used for colouring food packaging, among other things. It is also suitable for all common plastics, including high-temperature polymers.

Thanks to the very good NIR reflection Sicopal Black K 0098 FK enables reliable detection of the coloured material even with a high pigment content and can even be used for several processing steps and closed recycling loops due to its excellent processing stability.

Source: Colours & Effects