Avient colorants derived from recycled content reduce carbon emissions

By Bruce Geiselman 

Plastics processors looking to reduce their product carbon footprint when coloring plastics have a new option, Avient’s OnColor REC Polymer Colorants. 

Buyers of new automobiles, electronics or HVAC components might also be interested in learning that plastic parts in those items could very well contain recycled content from old car tires. 

 Avient, a manufacturer of specialized polymer materials, reports that OnColor REC Polymer Colorants offer an alternative to traditional carbon black formulations and can help manufacturers reduce their carbon footprint by including recycled content from a variety of sources. 

Additional sources of the pigments from recycled content could include, but are not limited to, pyrolysis, which converts biomass to energy, and organic food and farm products, said Larry Kuzniar, U.S. and Canada senior marketing manager for color and additives at Avient.  

The colorants are versatile, can be used in multiple resins, and are available in standard and custom color formulations. They meet strict regulatory requirements, according to the company. 

“Avient’s TÜV Rheinland third-party certified Product Carbon Footprint Calculator (ISO14067) analysis yielded a 5 percent to 80 percent reduction in CO2e/kg [carbon dioxide equivalent] product when compared to a product with conventional carbon black,” Kuzniar said in an email. “All REC products are optimized so that safety, aesthetics and performance are not compromised, working with designers and engineers to ensure KPC [key product characteristics] or KPIs [key performance indicators] are met.” 

OnColor REC Polymer Colorants are appropriate for a variety of under-the-hood and other manufacturing applications. 

“For the automotive industry, Avient’s OnColor REC Polymer Colorants could be excellent for use in functional electrical components, wheel wells, under-the-hood, center console components, trim plates, pillars, package shelves, glove boxes and more,” Kuzniar said. “Wire and cable application examples include insulation, electrical, consumer electronics, toys and jacketing. Building and construction application examples include window shades, mounting brackets, non-visible supports, foundation bracing, HVAC components and cutlery.” 

The colorants also could be used in some textile applications, such as with certain fabrics. 

The company’s product bulletin describes OnColor REC Polymer Colorants for use with polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide or nylon, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, Kuzniar said. 

OnColor REC Polymer Colorants are available in the United States and Canada. 

Contact: 

Avient Corp., Avon Lake, Ohio, 440-930-1000, www.avient.com