Sustainability 07. August 2024

In a similar way to black polymers and packaging, products with metallic effects can cause detection problems in recycling. Due to their composition, certain shades of silver are not detected by disposal companies via near-infrared (NIR) scanning in the reuse phase and are therefore not sorted correctly. Despite their recyclability, such products might then be disposed of thermally rather than being recycled. Lifocolor has developed new solutions here together with Eckart, a leading manufacturer of metallic effect and pearl pigments. More specifically, the two companies used special silver and metallic masterbatches to verifiably demonstrate how formulations which were previously undetectable due to the lack of corresponding ingredients could be made detectable and sortable via near-infrared scanning. In addition to this further development, Lifocolor will present at its stand various masterbatch concepts for colouring biopolymers and recyclates.