LIGHT’S OUT AT COLORMATRIX

ColorMatrix, hall B3, stand 345, Drinktec, 14 - 19 September 2009, Munich, Germany
ColorMatrix, the leading global innovator in plastic liquid colorants and additives, is unveiling a novel light blocking technology for PET dairy packaging at Drinktec 2009. Lactra™ is an opaque white liquid technology which ensures high performance light-blocking at low addition rates while maintaining enhanced container aesthetics. Suitable for both single and multi-layer PET containers, Lactra ensures protection from UV and visible light at wavelengths up to 550nm, critical for extending shelf life in dairy applications such as milks, yoghurts and dairy beverages.

While traditional opaque white colorant systems are typically dosed at around 20%, Lactra is used at an addition rate of only 6-8% for equivalent light-blocking performance, thanks to ColorMatrix's latest generation liquid carrier system, 'CoolRun'. This advanced dispersion capability enables the optimisation of pigment particle size, to achieve maximum light reflection from minimal product. It also ensures highly stable processing, consistent colour distribution and can even help minimise AA (acetaldehyde) levels which can cause off-taste.

Depending on the degree of opacity, visual appearance and container type required, a range of Lactra performance grades is available. Aesthetic finishes include an attractive white matt or silk finish. Lactra:SILK and Lactra:MATT offer high opacity with good aesthetics, while Lactra:eXtraShield boasts even higher light blocking capabilities. As the technologies are compatible with any PET grade, Lactra also offers maximised production flexibility, enabling brand owners, dairy processors and packaging technologists to develop customised, highly cost-effective PET barrier solutions for their products. The Lactra range is fully compliant with EU and FDA food contact legislation.

Also at the show, ColorMatrix is launching Amosorb® SolO2, a high performance PET barrier technology which ensures extended product protection and longer shelf-life in oxygen-sensitive beverages, particularly beers, wines and juices. Amosorb SolO2 combines oxygen scavenging with barrier properties, providing essential protection from O2 ingress, CO2 loss and potential product degradation. Colour can be added simply, so brand owners and converters can perfect the aesthetics of their products. Specifically developed for oxygen-sensitive beverages, where empty bottle storage may be required, Amosorb SolO2 can delay CO2 egress by up to 30 days and protect from O2 ingress for up to four months longer than PET with standard Amosorb. Amosorb SolO2 can be used with any type of PET resin and is suitable for both mono-layer and multi-layer PET containers. Easy to handle and use, it complies fully with EU and FDA food contact legislation.

Visitors to ColorMatrix's stand will see DosiXpress, on show for the first time in the PET sector. DosiXpress accelerates colour development for converters and brand owners, enabling significant time savings and efficiency improvements, including inventory and waste reduction. Also making its début in PET at Drinktec will the MiniMetrix dosing system, a cost-effective, mobile dosing unit which enables fast, clean colour changes, supreme dosing accuracy and highly efficient PET processing.

Experts are available at the ColorMatrix stand to discuss the company's complete range of products and services, including liquid colorants, oxygen scavengers, slip agents, reheat additives and UV and light absorbers.
ENDS

Editor's note:
The ColorMatrix Group is an innovator in advanced colorant, additive and dosing technologies for the plastics industry. The company takes a holistic, total package approach to help its customers maximise their production efficiencies and improve both the performance and aesthetics of their products. The company was founded in 1972 in Cleveland, Ohio and today employs over 300 people globally. The company has research, manufacturing and technical support facilities in Europe, North America, Latin America, and Asia.

For more information, please contact: Morag Girdwood, Global Brand Development Manager, ColorMatrix Group Inc. Tel: +44 7890 563137 Email: morag.girdwood@colormatrix.co.uk Or visit: www.colormatrix.com

For further press information, please contact: Zoë Wilkins, Barrett Dixon Bell, Craig Court, 25 Hale Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2EY, UK. Tel: +44 (0)161 925 4700 Fax: +44 (0)161 925 4701 Email: zoe@bdb.co.uk