A line of near-infrared (NIR) sortable dark colorants from Avient Corp. was recently recognized by the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) under its Meets Preferred Guidance (MPG) program. Consequently, OnColor NIR Sortable Colorants are preferred for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin in black and dark colors, according to the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. In addition, testing is underway to support an application for MPG recognition for the same colorants for polypropylene resin (PP).

Dark packaging, traditionally using colorants containing carbon black, is a popular choice for brand owners, said Avient, noting that detecting and sorting dark packaging in material recovery facilities is challenging. OnColor NIR Sortable Colorants from Avient allow packaging to be visible to a NIR optical sorter, enabling it to sort into the correct plastic stream.

“As a leader in sustainable colorant and additive solutions for polymers, we are proud to have received this recognition from the Association of Plastics Recyclers and look forward to further supporting our customers to reach their recycling goals,” said Avient’s Mayendran Pillay, Director of Marketing for Color & Additives, US and Canada. “Avient is committed to enabling 100% of our products manufactured for packaging applications to be recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2030. This solution aligns with that commitment.”

APR’s MPG program helps brand owners be more confident that the materials they incorporate into their products support recyclability. NIR sortable black and dark colorants became eligible for MPG recognition by the APR in October 2022.