Color concentrates supplier adds to its R&D muscle

Color concentrates and additive masterbatches supplier Plastics Color Corp. (PCC; Calumet City, IL), continues its expansion with the opening of a new research and development facility at their campus in Asheboro, NC. The opening comes on the heels of accreditation of PCC's lab in Calumet City, IL by the American Assn. for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).

PCC announced earlier this year it would open a new 30,000-ft² facility in Sun Valley, CA, which is scheduled to open later this year and help the company handle what it says has been increased business from the food processing, medical device, medical packaging, and pharmaceutical businesses.

Plastics Color Corporation already supplies color concentrates and additive masterbatches from its facilities in Asheboro, NC, Calumet City, and Nanjing, China.

The new lab in Asheboro is equipped with the latest analysis and testing equipment and is staffed by scientists and technicians with a combined 53 years in the plastics industry, reports PCC. "Our new facility allows us to better serve existing and future customers by providing new product development and testing services, that we could not offer at this time last year," said David Witt, who heads R & D for PCC's North Carolina operation. One focus of research is the development of bioplastics-based compounds and other eco-friendly products and additives.

A2LA accreditation of PCC's lab in Calumet City was achieved after the independent Association checked its quality control measures, record keeping, equipment calibration, and conformity to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 requirements. The certification is a customer's assurance of accuracy for any test approved within the scope of the accreditation. PCC also operates a lab facility at its Nanjing, China plant. —[email protected]