Colors & Effects announced Monday that its Sicopal Black K 0098 FK, a recyclable black pigment, is FDA compliant for food contact. This follows its EU food contact approval (EU 10/2011), announced in April. The company said this will expand possibilities for recyclable black plastic materials in food and cosmetic packaging.
Black plastic packaging has been mostly considered unrecyclable, because the commonly used carbon black pigment is undetectable by sorting technology. Sicopal Black K 0098 FK is near infrared (NIR) reflective, so articles containing the pigment can be systematically and reliably detected for recycling. In addition to sustainability, the new black offers high color strength and opacity, and is suitable for all commonly used plastics materials, including high-heat polymers.
Colors & Effects is a brand of BASF.
