Clariant Masterbatches has developed a novel chrome color specifically designed to address the needs of designers and manufacturers of high-end plastic bottles and packaging. Targeted especially at polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, the color is slightly translucent, so it fits the needs of applications where it is necessary or desirable for the contents in the bottle to be visible. “Yet it has the power to overcome slightly off-color resins, including post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET. In fact, the effect was first demonstrated on bottles made of recycled PET resin,” explains Clariant in a release.

Clariant introduces brilliant new metallic aesthetic; targets premium packaging. (Photo: Clariant)

The final look is very close from a true metallized effect. “You can create very subtle, elegant markings,” says Stephanie Dycha, Manager of the Clariant’s ColorWorks center in West Chicago, Illinois. “You get a three-dimensional look, even on very thin sections like those that are typical of injection-stretch blow molded PET.

The chrome effect has other benefits as well, including the way it reacts to laser radiation. Unlike other colors, which turn grey or black under laser radiation and leave a physical, palpable mark on the surface, the chrome pigment simply disappears leaving only the natural transparent polymer behind.