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| For many plastics processors, Macrolex Red A from Lanxess is becoming an increasingly attractive halogen-free alternative to common dyes containing halogen. The members of the Macrolex product family, which are available in a wide range of colours, are suitable for the colouration of, among other materials, polystyrene, polycarbonate, ABS, PMMA and PET. |
THE SPECIALTY chemicals company LANXESS is responding to increasing market demand for halogen-free red dyes for the colouration of plastics with Macrolex Red A – a particularly hightinting-strength and brilliant alternative to common, halogen-bearing products with a colour index of Solvent Red 135 (S.R. 135).
Macrolex Red A is a soluble, organic dye suitable for use in many amorphous and semi-crystalline engineering plastics. Like the other members of the Macrolex family, it is characterised by high thermal and light stability and good weatherability.
“Many of our customers in the foodstuffs or the automotive industry, for instance, want to position themselves in the market with halogen-free products,”explains Dominik Risse, head of Colourants Marketing in the Lanxess Functional Chemicals business unit. “But if a product is to be labelled ‘halogenfree,’ not only the polymer material must be chosen
accordingly, but also the additives and dyes. For many plastics processors Macrolex Red A is becoming an increasingly attractive halogen-free alternative to common dyes containing halogen such as halogenated perinones like S.R. 135.”
Unlike those, Macrolex Red A contains no halogens in its chemical structure, yet features a similar red shade with a yellow undertone and is therefore a suitable replacement in many colour formulations for products with the colour index Solvent Red 135. Compared to this dye, Macrolex Red A exhibits better solubility in many polymers, which makes processing significantly easier, and can also prevent colour stippling in the product. Coloured
masterbatches can also have higher dye concentrations, which significantly boost productivity during their production. Furthermore, the tinting strength of Macrolex Red A is roughly 3.5 times greater than that of S.R. 135 containing halogen.
The members of the Macrolex product family from Lanxess, which are available in a wide range of colours, satisfy numerous legal requirements for dyes used in food packaging and children’s toys, and are suitable for the colouration of, among others, polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), ABS, PMMA and PET. Colouration can range from transparent to full coverage, depending on the polymer and combination of colourants.
| • THE LANXESS COLOURS ARE SOLD IN SOUTH AFRICA BY PLASTICHEM, 0800 006 772. |
- SA Plastics, Composites & Rubber magazine