ELIX Polymers has expanded its portfolio of technical polymers with the introduction of new colours based on near-infrared (NIR) detectable deep black pigments for ABS and PC/ABS. The development is aimed at overcoming a long-standing obstacle to the recycling of black engineering plastics, namely their non-detectability in conventional optical sorting systems. By combining recyclability with the visual and functional characteristics expected from technical polymers, the company positions this launch as a contribution to circular economy objectives in sectors that rely on black components.
For many years, carbon black pigments have been widely used wherever a uniform, high-gloss or visually sophisticated black surface is required. In recycling operations, however, these pigments block the NIR signal used by standard optical sorting equipment, making black plastics effectively invisible in automated sorting streams. As a result, black technical parts are frequently excluded from high-quality recycling and may end up in mixed fractions or be discarded, which affects the entire value chain from material producers to converters, brand owners and recyclers.
In response to this issue, ELIX Polymers has developed ABS and PC/ABS grades in a deep black colour that can be detected by NIR as well as by Raman and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technologies. According to the company, this allows components made from these materials to be reliably identified and separated during sorting, without sacrificing the aesthetics or mechanical properties associated with engineering plastics. The materials are designed to retain a premium appearance while being compatible with automated recycling processes, addressing both product design and end-of-life requirements.
The new solution also incorporates a so-called “Cool Colour” effect. This feature is intended to significantly reduce the surface temperature of parts exposed to sunlight, improving thermal comfort in outdoor applications. In practice, this may support the use of deep black components in environments where heat build-up has previously been a limitation, while at the same time enabling optical detection for recycling at the end of the product’s service life.
Recyclability of black technical plastics
The difficulty of sorting black polymers has been recognised as a significant barrier to increasing recycling rates for technical parts. Conventional carbon black makes black components undetectable for NIR-based systems that are standard in many sorting facilities. By replacing traditional pigments with NIR-detectable alternatives, ELIX Polymers aims to ensure that ABS and PC/ABS parts in deep black can be directed into appropriate recycling streams instead of being lost from the material cycle.
ELIX Polymers highlights that this development allows manufacturers to avoid a trade-off between design and recyclability. With the new colours, black parts can be designed for visual quality and performance while still being compatible with sorting technologies such as NIR, Raman and HSI. This is of interest to customers who must comply with increasingly strict sustainability requirements and who are looking to demonstrate progress on waste reduction and resource efficiency targets.
From an industry perspective, the company positions the new materials as a strategic tool for improving the overall efficiency of recycling chains for technical polymers. Detectable black ABS and PC/ABS can support higher capture rates of material at end of life, enabling more consistent feedstock for recyclers and creating opportunities for closed-loop or high-value recycling concepts where material specifications require controlled input streams.
Focus on circular economy and sustainability targets
ELIX Polymers frames the launch within broader efforts to reduce carbon footprints and accelerate the transition to a circular economy in plastics. By facilitating the sorting and reuse of black plastic waste, the materials are intended to contribute to more efficient use of resources. The company links this approach to global sustainability agendas, where end-of-life management and recyclability are increasingly considered at the material selection and product design stages.
Pedro Urbaneja, colour technician from the research and development team at ELIX Polymers, underlines the link between innovation and responsibility in the company’s approach. “At ELIX Polymers, we believe innovation must go hand in hand with responsibility. Our goal is to lead the transition towards materials that combine design, functionality and recyclability. This technology proves that aesthetics and sustainability can coexist”, he states.
ELIX Polymers indicates that it is working on further projects that address recyclability challenges along the entire plastics supply chain. The focus includes developing materials that facilitate the sorting and reuse of plastic waste through better detectability and compatibility with existing recycling infrastructure. With the introduction of NIR-detectable deep black ABS and PC/ABS, the company aims to strengthen its role as a partner for customers seeking polymer solutions aligned with environmental commitments and regulatory expectations.
Company profile and application sectors
ELIX Polymers, a member of Sinochem International, is a manufacturer of ABS resins and derivatives in Europe. The company operates from its head office in Tarragona, Spain, and maintains sales support teams in key markets. With more than 50 years of experience in ABS polymers, it focuses on tailor-made solutions for high-quality thermoplastic applications.
The portfolio of ELIX Polymers covers a broad range of material solutions designed to meet the requirements of industries such as healthcare, automotive, appliances, electronics and toys, among others. Within these sectors, black technical components are commonly used in visible and non-visible parts, housings, interior and exterior elements and functional components. The introduction of NIR-detectable deep black colours for ABS and PC/ABS is therefore targeted at applications where both visual performance and recyclability are relevant design criteria.
