Meeting the strict technical requirements of CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment) certification, especially in a context where PVC profiles must integrate recycled materials, withstand prolonged exposure to the elements and operate on machinery of different generations, is one of the major challenges facing the construction industry today. Delta Tecnic, a company specialized in color masterbatches and additives, has developed a pigment solution that, together with a suitable compound formulation, allows manufacturers to comply with French regulations, considered the most demanding benchmark in Europe for exterior building products.
The company has recently achieved CSTB approval in Germany, demonstrating the effectiveness of its proposal for window and door profile manufacturers operating in a highly competitive industrial context, marked by sustainable transformation and heterogeneity of the machinery park.
"Today, manufacturers need a solution that works in both turbomixers and direct extruder dosing, regardless of whether the machines are ten or thirty years old. That is why we have opted to develop a masterbatch of the highest quality, with pigments specifically selected for their lightfastness and outdoor performance, and in adaptable formats such as Small Micropellets or the innovative Super Small Pellets, which guarantee perfect color homogeneity without compromising the mechanical properties of the profile," explains Brita Kunze, Sales Director Deltacolor at Delta Tecnic.
Recycling and the complexity of color: a new paradigm
The market is shifting towards an intensive use of recycled materials - between 70% and 80% on the inside of the profile - which adds to the challenges of homogeneity, stability and resistance. Added to this is the rise of new colors such as anthracite, which are replacing the traditional white in exterior finishes, and the use of laminated decorative films that require a perfectly uniform chromatic base.
In this environment, the main technical challenge lies in the pigment’s ability to withstand CSTB’s most severe test: six months of exposure to extreme environmental conditions, including solar radiation, humidity, water and abrasive particles. These tests put to the test the quality of the coloring and its ability to maintain its aesthetic and functional qualities over the long term.
Technology for industrial adaptation
Delta Tecnic’s solutions respond to this new reality with formulations adapted to the specific needs of each customer. From companies that color with turbomixer to those that color with in-line dosing, the company offers a flexible solution, with different particle s and high pigment concentrations, adapted to each processing system.
Super Small Pellets, currently under advanced validation with several strategic customers, allow for improved color dispersion and color integration in contexts where process control is more limited, such as on older machinery. This results in profiles that successfully pass sun degradation tests, avoiding visible defects such as clapping or areas of fading after several weeks of exposure.
A comprehensive approach to drive sustainability
Beyond regulatory compliance, Delta Tecnic’s proposal has a direct impact on the revaluation of recycled materials, facilitating their integration without compromising the aesthetics and durability of the final products. This allows manufacturers to advance their sustainability goals without sacrificing competitiveness and technical quality.
"Overcoming CSTB is not just a question of pigment. It is a close collaboration with the customer, because the compound is decisive. We provide the optimum formula on the pigment side and adapt the format to the needs of their process. The key is to understand how each manufacturer works and to offer a realistic, efficient and sustainable solution," concludes Brita Kunze.
