CHROMA CORPORATION - 3900 W. Dayton Street - McHenry, IL 60050
Chroma's Biodegradable master batch for Thermoplastic polyolefin receives ASTM D6954 Certification
McHenry, IL, November 16, 2010– Chroma Corporation introduces its new line of biodegradable masterbatches that allows processors to make standard polypropylene and polyethylene biodegradable. They also have a product for PET bottles and sheet. The products are FDA sanctioned and RoHS directive compliant. The products are ASTM D6954 Certified by the SP Institute of Sweden which emphatically and unequivocally proves products made with this additive are completely biodegradable. The concentrate passed all three tiers of the test which include degradation, biodegradation, and eco-toxicity.
But can it be recycled? Yes, Chroma has received a report from the Canadian government affiliate, Recyc-Quebec that shows products made with this masterbatch do not contaminate the recycled resin stream, as products made with PLA resins do!
This new technology initiates a natural process in polypropylene and polyethylene to return the plastic back to nature. “The advantage of Chroma’s new concentrate is that processors of typical PP and PE resin can now offer biodegradable products. The shelf life of the product can be controlled by the amount of concentrate they use. This product allows plastics that have the biodegradable additive to also be recycled without causing damage to the recycled resin stream, which the PLA resins can cause. Unlike PLA resins, this product can be used in standard tooling, offers enhanced physical properties and at a much lower overall costs”, says Stuart Swain, Chroma’s Director of Sales and Marketing.
In terms of processing, it works well in both conventional and high-speed thin wall injection molding, sheet extrusion, blow molding and blown film. The product was designed for use in food packaging, closures, blow molded bottles, disposable thin wall containers, blown film and other applications. This product can also be added with Chroma’s color concentrates, which will have little to no effect on the degradation process.
The new concentrate is designed to lower the molecular weight of the polymer compounds to allow quicker oxidative bonding. Uses naturally occurring elements, such as sunlight or heat and oxygen to initiate the oxidative degradation of high molecular weight polymer chains into low molecular weight compounds that can be further aerobically degraded in the natural environment to produce water, carbon dioxide and biomass.
"Consumer companies are looking for products and packaging that are good for the environment,” says Mir Ali, Chroma’s Director of Technology. "Our new FDA sanctioned biodegradable masterbatch product line allows companies to offer products that are biodegradable, but can also be recycled. This is a flexible cost efficient masterbatch”.
The use of different use rates, typically between 1 and 4 percent, allows processors to control the shelf life of their products. A new PET formula is also available for PET bottles, sheet for blister packaging, etc.
About Chroma Corporation
Founded in 1967, Chroma Corporation is a global thermoplastic-compounded raw material leader. Product offerings include the broadest range of custom color, special effect, and specialty additives in masterbatches and precompounded products in commodity and engineering thermoplastic resins. Materials are designed for extrusion, injection molding, blown film and a multitude of other processes and applications including rotational molding. For more information, please visit www.chromacolors.com or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
If you would like more information about this topic, please call or e-mail Stu Swain at 815-759-2110 or e-mail Stu at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
