Atlantic Polymers: Self-coloring of ABS by the
The coloring of natural color resin during injection moulding - a process now standard with many other plastics - still offers scope for expansion in the case of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Slow progress here was due to uncontrollable variations in the natural resin color. Addressing this situation, the Japanese ABS manufacturer Toray and Atlantic Polymers GmbH of Meerbusch/Germany have now developed their ‘batch & resin’ system. For the processor, in-plant coloring of ABS has thus become just as easy as with other polymers, given that all grades of Toray’s ABS base resin, Toyolac, are of a highly uniform light-white base color; the ‘Merbatch’ color masterbatch marketed by Atlantic Polymers has been developed specifically for the Toyolac ABS range and matches these resins ideally due to its high color intensity and compatibility.
The ‘batch + resin’ concept allows processors to cope with increasing cost pressures by cutting on the extra expenditure associated with colored ABS while also simplifying their inventory management. At the same time, they gain flexibility by being able to respond quickly to customers\’ color requests. Color adjustments, too, can be handled speedily since the customer may rely on the direct support of the masterbatch manufacturer’s laboratory.
The ‘batch + resin’ system and the resulting benefits to the processor are key to Toray and Atlantic Polymers in the pursuit of their strategy for expansion in the European ABS market. Other elements include a fast system of distributed supply logistics, powerful customer support and advisory capabilities, plus interesting pricing.