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Application guide

Pigments for
Plastics & Masterbatch

Enhancing plastic products with vibrant, durable, and long-lasting colour solutions. Our pigments are formulated for injection moulding, film extrusion, PVC compounding, and masterbatch manufacturing — selected for heat stability, migration resistance, and consistent colour strength.

Heat stable to 200–300 °C Migration resistant PP · PE · PVC · Engineering polymers
6
Recommended pigment grades
300°C
Max heat stability (PG 7)
2
Available product forms
ISO 7
Lightfastness rating
What plastics demand

Key Performance Requirements

Plastics processing puts pigments under conditions most other applications don't — high temperatures, plasticiser contact, and long UV exposure. Here's what matters.

Heat stability (150–300 °C)

Must not decompose or shift shade at barrel temperatures. PP/PE processes at 200–250 °C; engineering polymers up to 300 °C.

Migration & bleed resistance

In plasticised PVC and soft polyolefins, pigments can bloom to the surface or bleed into adjacent materials — critical for food-contact applications.

Lightfastness for outdoor use

Garden furniture, automotive parts, and building products require ISO 7–8 lightfastness for 10+ years of exterior durability without significant fading.

Dispersion quality in masterbatch

At 20–40% pigment loading in a carrier resin, pigments must disperse fully without agglomeration — or colour streaking appears in the final moulded article.

Product forms

Forms Available

Chemrad pigments for plastics are supplied in two forms to suit different manufacturing workflows — dry powder for direct compounding and pre-dispersed masterbatch for easy let-down.

Pigment powder in a bowl

Powder

Dry pigment powder for direct incorporation into masterbatch manufacturing or direct colouration via twin-screw compounding. Offers maximum formulation flexibility.

Typical loading20–40% in carrier resin
Best forMasterbatch manufacture, direct compound
Packaging25 kg paper bags / custom
Shelf life2 years from date of manufacture
Masterbatch pellets in a bowl

Masterbatch

Pre-dispersed pigment concentrate in a compatible carrier resin for clean, dust-free let-down into the final compound. Simplifies handling and dosing at the press or extruder.

Typical let-down1–5% in final compound
Best forInjection moulding, extrusion, film
Carrier resinPE, PP, or universal (as specified)
Packaging25 kg bags / octabin
Quick reference

Recommended Pigments & Performance

Key properties for each grade in polyolefin and PVC systems. Contact us to confirm suitability for your specific resin and process temperature.

Pigment Heat Stability Migration Res. Lightfastness PP / PE PVC Eng. Polymers
PB 15:3
 250 °C
PB 15:4
 250 °C
PG 7
 300 °C
PY 74
 180 °C
–
PV23
 200 °C
Pigment Red
 200 °C
–
Recommended
Suitable — verify first
Not recommended

Ready to find the right grade for your resin?

Our technical team can confirm pigment suitability for your specific resin, processing temperature, and end-use — including sample dispatch and full TDS documentation.

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