Masterbatch delivers increased reflectivity in plastics. Credit: Clariant.

Plastics performance solutions provider Clariant Masterbatches has created a new chrome colour intended for use in premium packaging.

The new colour masterbatches, developed by Clariant ColorWorks’ design and technology centres, follows growing demand for a metallic effect.

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Designed primarily for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, the colour slightly translucent colour allows the contents of the bottle to be visible.

The colour effect can be applied on slightly off-colour resins, including post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET.

ColorWorks senior designer Judith van Vliet said: “You see it a lot in glass and that kind of transparency is also very trendy. Clariant’s new chrome masterbatch develops a look that is the closest I’ve seen to a true metallised effect. It does a very good job of bringing those bright qualities to plastics for use in bottles containing prestige products.”

Clariant’s liquid-look chrome masterbatch forms part of ColorWorks’ NewAesthetix initiative.

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Under laser radiation, the chrome effect reacts differently than other colours by leaving the natural transparent polymer on the surface.

The effect comes from the pigment particle-size distribution and its integration with the masterbatch.

It has a higher reflectivity than more conventional silver or chrome colours.

West Chicago ColorWorks centre manager Stephanie Dycha said: “You can create very subtle, elegant markings.

“You get a three-dimensional look, even on very thin sections like those that are typical of injection-stretch blow moulded PET.”