Konica Minolta Sensing Europe announces its participation in K 2025, where it will present color and appearance measurement solutions for plastics processing and recycling. Visitors will find the company's stand in Hall 11, stand F68. The focus will be on issues related to the growing use of recyclates, which often come with variability in color and properties. For masterbatch and compound producers, this means the need for more rigorous control of secondary and virgin material parameters and the color quality of finished products. Using spectrophotometers together with formulation and quality control software can reduce the number of color-matching iterations, shorten implementation time, and decrease process scrap. The stand will feature, among others, the benchtop models CM-36dG and CM-3700A Plus, the portable CM-17d and the CM-26d Series, as well as the Colour Matching Solution and SpectraMagic NX2 software.
Solutions for plastics processing and recycling
Incorporating recyclates into colored polymer formulations introduces an additional variable, making shade predictability and inter-batch consistency more difficult. Konica Minolta Sensing points to the need for a systematic approach to color management that combines instrumental measurements with data analytics. The company's instruments and software help reduce the number of correction trials, resulting in shorter time-to-market and improved quality stability.
Software for color formulation and quality control
Colour Matching Solution provides computational support for color formulation for both virgin polymers and recycled resins, as well as complex blends. By optimizing calculations, the software enables material savings while maintaining result quality. The system learns from new laboratory and production samples, which facilitates work in the context of a circular economy.
SpectraMagic NX2 supports color quality control by streamlining measurement, analysis, and digital data communication. The interface and screen layout can be tailored to the requirements of the company or individual users across the color supply chain. Reports and analyses can combine numeric data with visual assessment, which aids interpretation and reduces color deviations between batches.
Benchtop spectrophotometers
CM-36dG enables reflectance and transmittance measurements, making it suitable for a wide range of plastic products. The integrated 60° gloss sensor compliant with ISO 2813 allows simultaneous color and gloss measurement. Features include status LEDs, a camera preview for sample positioning and report generation, as well as the option to select the instrument's operating orientation. A top-port configuration facilitates measurement of powder materials.
CM-3700A Plus is designed for demanding measurement tasks. The instrument is equipped with an integrated camera, a status panel, and sensors that account for the influence of ambient conditions on the result. Functions for wavelength analysis and adjustment, including Wavelength Analysis and Adjustment (WAA), support maintaining precision and repeatability in professional applications.
Portable spectrophotometers
CM-17d is a portable spectrophotometer with a vertical design that facilitates precise aperture alignment with minimal contact with the sample surface. Simultaneous measurement in SCI and SCE geometries enables consistent, repeatable results on different surface types.
The CM-26d Series is designed for field and plant use. Lightweight, ergonomic instruments offer optional Bluetooth connectivity and a high-resolution color TFT display. Two easily interchangeable apertures, 8 mm and 3 mm, and two lens position settings provide very good data correlation between settings and enable measurement of samples with varied sizes and shapes.
Booth at K 2025
- Live demonstrations of the portable CM-17d spectrophotometer and the benchtop CM-3700A Plus.
- Opportunity to explore the Colour Matching Solution and its application in quality assurance and environmental initiatives.
- Consultations with Konica Minolta experts on integrating advanced color management into production workflows.
Event details
- Event: K 2025, trade fair for plastics and rubber
- Date: 8–15 October 2025
- Location: Messe Düsseldorf, Germany
- Stand: Hall 11, F68
