EDISON, NJ—High strength liquid colors based on a comprehensive line of dyes produced by Bayer Corporation, have been added to the Spectraflo line of pigment-based liquid colors for PET from Ferro Corporation.

Components of the dyes, named "Macrolex Granulated Dyestuffs," comply with FDA regulations for all thermal food-contact applications except those in which food is sterilized in the food-contact article (autoclaving conditions—Condition of Use A).

Use of the Bayer dyes reportedly expands the range of achievable colors and allows deeper transparent shades to be produced than with pigment-based, FDA-compliant colorants for PET.

The new colors are intended for injection-stretch blow molded PET containers and extruded/thermoformed PET sheet. They are injected into the feed throat of molding machines and extruders using a peristaltic metering pump at ratios up to 0.6% color (0.2% dry dye).

Natural resin in the hopper never requires emptying, eliminating the shut-down time required to dry hygroscopic color compounds and pre-colored resins. Color changeovers can be accomplished in 10 minutes.

The vehicle is said to disperse readily into PET resin, resulting in uniform coloration.

Single-dye base colors are maintained in stock for rapid custom blending in any quantity.

The colorants are also available as multi-functional dispersions containing UV screeners to protect contents of the container/package.

Ferro Corporation, Liquid Coatings and Dispersions Division, 54 Kellogg Court, Edison, NJ 08817-2509, tel: 732-287-1930, fax: 732-287-8966, email: infolcd@ferro.com, web: www.ferro.com/dispersions