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(Photo credit: Borealis)

Study

Avient joint study with Borealis reveals wide range of color options for recycled plastics

2:40 min Recycled plasticsAdditives
Düsseldorf, Germany

  • Insights obtained in the joint application study help customers take full advantage of the broad range of color-matching options for post-consumer recyclates (PCR)  
  • The use of PCR material grades from the Borcycle™ M portfolio from Borealis in tandem with specifically developed formulations from the Avient OnColor™ portfolio can help achieve a desired color effect with low levels of colorant addition and good detectability in the sorting process 
  • Value chain collaboration in the spirit of EverMinds™, the Borealis Circular economy collaboration platform, supports progress toward the promise of plastics circularity 

Avient and Borealis announced the results of a new joint study for the K 2022 Trade Fair. The study addresses the challenges of color matching in PCR for rigid packaging, offering options that can create global color consistency, quality, and circularity.  

In 2018, Borealis launched EverMinds™, an umbrella platform uniting its activities and initiatives aimed at advancing action on circularity. Bridging from the EverMinds™ platform, Borealis and Avient recently completed a joint application study investigating how to optimize color matching when using post-consumer recycled material (PCR) in rigid packaging applications. Insights obtained from the joint study will help value chain partners and customers take advantage of the wide range of color options that can be enabled by the use of Borcycle™ M compounds (mechanically recycled polyolefins) from Borealis and color solutions from Avient for even the most sophisticated application requirements. 

Why Avient and Borealis undertook this study 

In order to enhance the sustainability of rigid packaging, the industry is seeking ways to incorporate higher amounts of PCR into its products without compromising on functionality or shelf appeal. Keeping in mind that color is a key element of a pleasing appearance, the recyclate’s intrinsic color-matching properties are more limited compared to virgin polymers. In addition, the market availability of PCR in light and natural tones is equally limited. Moreover, coloring processes for dark recycled material can be challenging due to the need for high amounts of colorant to overcome the PCR base color. 

Key takeaways from the research 

The joint study demonstrated that using certain components together from both companies can more consistently produce a wide range of color options for PCR material without having to add high levels of colorant. Those components include Borcycle M 100% recycled polypropylene (rPP) from Borealis in tandem with colorant formulations from Avient along with Avient’s PCR Color Prediction Service, which could digitally illustrate the colorant formulations that are possible. Plus, the color formulations have been specifically developed for use with PCR without disturbing detectability in the sorting process. 

Another key discovery from the study: If colorant must be added to the base material to achieve the desired color, the addition of color concentrate can be low (around 2%). The higher translucency of Borcycle M compounds is one facilitating factor in better color matching, thanks to the materials’ good light transmission and color absorption. The study also demonstrated that using Borcycle M grades along with Avient’s OnColor™ near-infrared (NIR) detectable colorants can produce a recyclable, neutral black which enables better automatic sorting for recycling. This solution helps to prevent downcycling of darker and black PCRs based on their color and maintains their value in the recycling stream. 

“We’re pleased to be able to use the findings of this joint study to assist our value chain partners and customers in making informed decisions about the best color matching options for their own rigid packaging applications,” says Peter Voortmans, Global Commercial Director Consumer Products at Borealis. “The more aesthetically appealing the pack, the more likely it is that the consumer will choose the more circular option. At Borealis, this is what we mean by re-inventing essentials for sustainable living.” 

“A cornerstone of our sustainability strategy at Avient is to use material science and our design expertise to enable our customers’ sustainability goals,” explains Jan Sültemeyer, Global Innovation and Sustainability Manager at Avient. “This collaborative study with Borealis is one way in which we can transfer our know-how to our value chain partners to help with closing the loop on plastics circularity.” 

Avient at K: G10 in Hall 8A & Borealis at K: A43 at Hall 6

www.avient.com   www.borealis.com

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