ColorMatrix Receives Industry Recognition for Recyclability in PET Additives

Stephen Alexander, director of APR, comments: “For the first time, there are now both oxygen scavenging and UV barrier technologies available that are fully recyclable.

5/1/2011 --- ColorMatrix, the global leader in liquid colorant and additive technologies for thermoplastic applications, has received APR recognition for its commitment to recycling. The APR (Association of Post Consumer Plastic Recyclers) has recognized ColorMatrix’s HyGuard oxygen scavenging system and light-blocking technology Ultimate UV390 as achieving full recyclability under its strict Critical Guidance guidelines.

The APR Recognition Program supports and endorses companies which successfully design products that meet voluntary guidelines. It helps bottle manufacturers select suppliers with genuine green credentials and understand the impact of new technologies on the recycling stream.

Stephen Alexander, director of APR, comments: “For the first time, there are now both oxygen scavenging and UV barrier technologies available that are fully recyclable. HyGuard and the Ultimate UV barrier additives represent the future of PET applications and pave the way for innovative, environmentally-friendly packaging.”

John Standish, ColorMatrix’s market development manager for packaging in North America, added: “We are delighted by the APR’s acknowledgement. Achieving these standards reflects ColorMatrix’s commitment to environmental and sustainable developments in technology. We’re introducing additives that enable lightweighting and recyclability, as well as reduce CO2 and energy requirements during processing. This third party endorsement is tangible recognition of our ongoing efforts and our aim to advance the sustainability of plastics.”

HyGuard is a unique oxygen scavenger system which is not based on an oxidizable polymer. Instead, it is a catalytic barrier system that works in conjunction with the closure system of the container, leaving the container wall free of any additive material which may have a negative effect on container clarity and limit its recyclability.  As this breakthrough oxygen scavenging system also typically delivers more powerful scavenging capability than current technologies, it is able to offer high level product protection in lighter weight and smaller portion size PET containers.

Ultimate UV390 provides an effective UV barrier allowing less than ten per cent UV light transmission up to 395nm - the edge of the visible spectrum.  Supplied in a liquid dispersion, dosing is highly consistent, offering excellent part clarity and recyclability.  Ultimate UV390 can help extend shelf life for UV sensitive food, beverage, personal care and home cleaning products. ColorMatrix estimates that the Ultimate UV barrier technology is used in approximately 3 billion containers in North America each year, resulting in a significant contribution to container recyclability.

Further to the APR news, ColorMatrix has also earned EPBP (European PET Bottle Platform) recognition for the recyclability of HyGuard and Ultimate UV technologies by concluding that they will have “no negative impact on current European PET recycling”. The EPBP aims to evaluate technologies and products and to enable new PET packaging innovations, as well as optimizing the economic and environmental consequences for the European PET recycling industry.