Borealis and Avient Corporation announced results of a new joint study. 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 that investigated 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 enabled by the use of Borcycle M compounds (mechanically recycled polyolefins) and Avient color solutions, for even the most sophisticated application requirements.

The reasons of undertaking this study

In order to enhance the sustainability of rigid packaging, the industry is seeking to find ways to incorporate higher amounts of PCR into its products without compromising on functionality or shelf appeal.

Insights obtained in study performed jointly by Avient and Borealis help customers take advantage of the broad range of color matching options for PCR.

Color is a key element of a pleasing appearance, the intrinsic color matching properties of recyclate are more limited versus virgin polymers. 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 determined that using specific components together from both companies consistently produced a wide range of color options for PCR without having to add more color.

Those components include 100% recycled polypropylene (rPP) from the Borcycle M portfolio in tandem with Avient’s PCR Colour Prediction Service. Plus, the color formulations which have been specifically designed for use with PCR without disturbing detectability in the sorting process.

Another key discovery from the study: If color must be added to the base material to achieve the desired color, the addition of color concentrate is 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 produces 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,” shared Peter Voortmans, Global Commercial Director Consumer Products at Borealis.

“A cornerstone of our sustainability strategy at Avient is to use material science and our design expertise to enable our customers’ sustainability goals,” stated 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 close the loop on plastics circularity.”

Borealis and Avient Corporation announced results of a new joint study. 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 that investigated 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 enabled by the use of Borcycle M compounds (mechanically recycled polyolefins) and Avient color solutions, for even the most sophisticated application requirements.

The reasons of undertaking this study

In order to enhance the sustainability of rigid packaging, the industry is seeking to find ways to incorporate higher amounts of PCR into its products without compromising on functionality or shelf appeal.

Insights obtained in study performed jointly by Avient and Borealis help customers take advantage of the broad range of color matching options for PCR.

Color is a key element of a pleasing appearance, the intrinsic color matching properties of recyclate are more limited versus virgin polymers. 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 determined that using specific components together from both companies consistently produced a wide range of color options for PCR without having to add more color.

Those components include 100% recycled polypropylene (rPP) from the Borcycle M portfolio in tandem with Avient’s PCR Colour Prediction Service. Plus, the color formulations which have been specifically designed for use with PCR without disturbing detectability in the sorting process.

Another key discovery from the study: If color must be added to the base material to achieve the desired color, the addition of color concentrate is 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 produces 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,” shared Peter Voortmans, Global Commercial Director Consumer Products at Borealis.

“A cornerstone of our sustainability strategy at Avient is to use material science and our design expertise to enable our customers’ sustainability goals,” stated 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 close the loop on plastics circularity.”