Recommendation of Colorants for Polylactic acid (PLA)

Coloration of plastic packaging is a very valuable instrument to differentiate from competing products on the shelf and to attract consumer’s attention. With the rapidly growing market share of biopolymers in packaging applications, Ciba is aware of the increasing requirements of appropriate coloration for these new polymers. Due to its strong presence on the market, Polylactic acid (PLA)* was selected to evaluate potential colorants to be applicable in biopolymers.

Technical suitability: Heat resistance, migration, weatherability and dispersibility have been assessed for pigments and dyes which are recommended for general plastic applications.

Biodegradability: No specific compostability tests were performed yet. Therefore, biodegradability of the entire package would need to be checked according to the appropriate norm.

Weather fastness scale: +++: Delta E: below 3.0,  ++: Delta E: between 3.0 and 5.0,  +: Delta E: between 5.0 and 10.0,  -: Delta E: over 10.0 * LACEA M151SQ04 (Heat resistant) ex Mitsui Chemical, modified grade based on NatureWorks (Cargill Dow).

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