Investigation and Selection of Blue Pigments Supporting Recycling Processes for Use in Beverage Packaging Labels
Project no. 32799 · Status: Kapanmış · 2025
Summary
<p>In this study, titled “Investigation and Selection of the Blue Color Index that Supports Recycling in Beverage Packaging Labels” four different blue pigments with two distinct color indices were obtained from various suppliers and processed into pigment pastes. The paste preparation was conducted using the factory's existing production technique, involving precise measurements of water, alcohol-based solvent, and resin. Differences in pigment density were observed as expected, impacting the efficiency of the bead separation step. The final densities of the prepared pastes were consistent with initial projections.</p><p>In the second phase, the pastes were diluted using appropriate solvents and additives to achieve the target viscosity of 14 seconds (14’’’), then applied to PET films using a #2 key bar. The coated films were cured at 80°C for 1 minute and subsequently cut into 1 cm² samples weighing 1.5 g for washing and flake coloration testing.</p><p>A caustic solution was prepared using water, Triton X-100, and NaOH in accordance with APR (Association of Plastic Recycling) methods. The samples were subjected to a PET recycling simulation process following the PET-P-00, PET-S-01, and PET-B-02 guidelines. Post-washing, the amount of pigment particles released into the solution was analyzed via filtration. The observed color changes and particulate release behavior aligned well with the pre-defined expectations.</p>