GRAFE GmbH & Co. KG
About us
For 35 years, GRAFE, based in Blankenhain, Thuringia, has been shaping the world of plastics with passion, creativity, and technological expertise. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of masterbatches and compounds and delivers customized color and material solutions – quickly, flexibly, and reliably.
With production sites in Germany, Switzerland, and Italy, as well as subsidiaries and regional representatives in France, Austria, Poland, Czechia, and Hungary, GRAFE supplies customers in over 60 countries worldwide. GRAFE impresses with its high quality, innovative solutions, and consistent customer focus.
Thanks to modern technological equipment and passionate specialists, GRAFE continuously develops new formulations that give plastics an aesthetic appearance and unique functions. With comprehensive know-how, the DESIGN, MATERIAL, and SERVICE CENTER ensures that ideas reach series production with brilliant colors, functional additives, and sustainable products.
GRAFE – your strong partner for customized plastic solutions.
Products & services
GRAFE presents 25 PETG color formulations for 3D pellet printing
With 25 new color formulations specifically for 3D granulate printing, GRAFE is expanding its standard portfolio with an innovative range for design and technology. The PETG-based masterbatches were developed in collaboration with YIZUMI, successfully tested, and approved. A dosage of 5% produces a homogeneous coloration, the intensity of which can be flexibly varied by adjusting the amount added. The masterbatches can be produced quickly and delivered in even the smallest quantities. The material impresses with its wide range of applications—from lampshades and furniture components to logos and technical housing components. Thanks to PETG's low tendency to warp, it is ideal for printing precise, technically demanding components. GRAFE is also presenting two additional add-on batches: one for creating translucent scattering effects and one for metallic glittering surfaces. These can be added to any standard PETG color formulation during dosing. With this offering for PETG—in addition to transparent PMMA colorants—GRAFE is expanding its portfolio of standards for transparent color shades and underscoring its expertise in perfectly combining color and function.
Color trends between reality, virtual future, and nostalgic longing
With the new GRAFECOLORS 2026/27, GRAFE takes its customers on a journey through five spheres that interweave the past, present, and future in an incomparable way. Each of the five collections tells its own story—and gives designers, product developers, and brands inspiration on how to stage the future in color. The GRAFE DESIGN CENTER regularly publishes a customized trend brochure that analyzes the trends for the coming years, researched by leading trend institutes and transferred to the world of plastics by our color experts: 15 Colors compiled in five iconic worlds Urban Nostalgics Warm earth tones full of comfort, contrasted by glittering metallic effects. Nomads Between Worlds Neon colors and mystical blue merge reality and virtuality. Sensual Spheres Soft, creamy shades and cool water tones combine technology and emotion. Natural Resilience Calm blue tones with a delicate mint green reflect the fragility of nature. Joyful Uprising Optimism and creative energy unfold in a brightly colored mix. A tangible source of inspiration But GRAFECOLORS 2026/27 is more than just a trend brochure: with the matching sample box, it serves as a source of inspiration for designers and allows them to experience the colors haptically through their interpretation in plastic. Accompanying the booklet is a selection of sample tiles in a distinctive hexagonal shape. Each tile shows its own combination of polymer, trend color formulation, surface, and effect pigment. In addition to conventional plastics of petrochemical origin such as PA, PAGF30, SAN, PETG, and recycled rPETG, biological alternatives such as PLA, PHA, and ARBOBLEND V2 also serve as base polymers for the hexagons. Whether opaque, translucent, or transparent, with or without optical effects, in petrochemical or biological polymers—the colorists at the GRAFE DESIGN CENTER are always a source of creative inspiration for a wide variety of industries.
Master color samples are standard in design – GRAFE expands its proven service for OEMs and design partners outside the automotive industry
In this digital age, are physical reference samples still necessary? Given the reality of lengthy development processes and complex value chains, the answer is clear: yes, absolutely. Physical master samples remain indispensable! On the one hand, as a feasibility analysis for implementing the OEM color request in polymer, and on the other hand, as a defined color concept and reference for the color and gloss level of various plastic parts at the supplier. They enable a precise and consistent assessment of components across all stages of the production chain, regardless of screen displays, lighting conditions, or subjective impressions. OEMs and ODMs in particular, who value high color precision, use these haptic reference samples, which are made available to the parts manufacturer. This is done in order to adjust the colors of various plastic components and match them in color matching – primarily in the mobility sector, such as automotive engineering, aviation, rail, and shipbuilding. But there are also OEM structures in medical technology and in the electrical and household appliance sectors that need to ensure design consistency. This is not only a matter for the suppliers or parts manufacturers themselves, but also for the companies that have a decisive influence on color design and material selection, are responsible for them, and guarantee them across all instances. The GRAFE Group, based in Blankenhain, has been an established partner for OEMs and their design departments for two decades. The masterbatch and compound specialist supports customers from the initial color idea to the finished reference sample. What began as a service for the automotive sector has now grown into a comprehensive range of individual services that, in addition to the actual production of master samples, covers in-depth consulting on all aspects of color development—whether it be the choice of gloss level, grain, or the selection of suitable carrier materials and packaging.
BIOCOLEN ® from GRAFE: Color variety for biodegradable plastics – sustainable, certified and design-oriented
Biodegradable plastics play a key role in sustainable product development – especially where mechanical recycling is technically difficult or economically unfeasible. With its BIOCOLEN® product range, GRAFE, based in Blankenhain, offers a tailor-made solution for precisely these areas of application: individually colored, biodegradable plastics that are not only compostable but also meet high aesthetic and functional requirements. Unlike traditional polymer types, which are increasingly required by law to be recycled, the masterbatches and compounds in the BIOCOLEN® range are inherently designed to be degradable, offering a forward-looking option for products with a limited service life. Examples range from packaging and disposable products to hygiene articles. BIOCOLEN® combines ecological responsibility with technical feasibility and design freedom.
Faster testing of effect colors for laminate applications
Thanks to special processes and sample boxes, GRAFE saves customers development time With a special process, the GRAFE GROUP, Blankenhain, is able to test and simulate color ideas for multilayer applications as early as the development phase. “This way, we can achieve results faster in material designs in this area and optimize the development time for customized products to the benefit of our customers,” explains Lars Schulze, Head of Color Development and Material Sciences. Multilayer applications are used in a variety of ways in the packaging and pharmaceutical industries to protect products from environmental influences and extend their shelf life. In the furniture industry or for high-quality consumer goods, laminates are a cost-effective alternative that achieve a high-quality surface appearance – and that with a minimal use of effect pigments. “The substrate material in the base color, in combination with the applied effect carrier, saves on the need for solid-colored plastic,” explains Schulze. A decorative film that carries expensive effect pigments for the optics is combined with the cost-effective, solid-colored base material, which ensures the stability of the product,” the expert adds. ”This combination of a base layer and a translucent effect layer enables unique color effects that cannot be achieved with mono-coloring, or only at great expense.” The challenge in developing the color design lies in the dosage of the pigments in the top layer in combination with the appearance of the substrate. “With our technology, color ideas can be tested cost-effectively and simulated in-house, saving the customer time, material and machine setup costs, and thus also product development costs,” reports Schulze. [... more @ grafe.com]
Efficient black batches for PLA & PETG for 3D printing
3D printing has undergone rapid development in recent years and now characterises numerous industries. To this end, the Thuringian company GRAFE, based in Blankenhain, is enriching the market with customer-specific colourings and expanding its standard range alongside the RAL K7 fan and customer-specific colour settings in all common thermoplastics in this area. Three new standard black variants have been added, which are among the most important materials in 3D printing and are suitable for numerous applications. “Our aim is to meet customer requirements even faster and to cover a wide range of customer requirements with the predefined range,” says Lars Schulze, Head of Colour Development and Material Sciences. “Our years of project work have shown that we not only need high-performance materials and excellent colour settings, but also fast and cost-efficient solutions,” the specialist continues. The Schwarz portfolio now includes three masterbatches with the carrier materials PETG and PLA. In addition to the classic PLA variant, an additional option is offered that meets the strict requirements with FDA approval for food contact. Established processes and a universal formulation, which does not require any customisation, enable cost-efficient production and rapid provision of standard batches. This allows a particularly competitive and attractive offer to be realised in the GRAFE range. “In contrast to classic UN substrates, we also want to give our customers who demand the highest quality the option of selecting a substrate that matches the print material. This eliminates compromises in terms of layer adhesion, warping or flow properties. We also offer our customers this service for our standard colour range,” says Schulze
Experts in the art of processing fabrics
Grain patterns borrowed from nature or graphically abstracted Plastic surfaces that perfectly imitate natural materials can be created by adding color and particles in combination with structures. The surface grains appear deceptively real, but have cost advantages over their natural and therefore expensive twins. “In addition, the flexibility of plastics offers extended possibilities for shaping the products,” says Tonnecker. He mentions wood, stone and woven fiber structures, matt and contrasting, glossy or transparent for corresponding substitutions, which can also be used to expand the areas of application. Another focus of current design trends is graphic surfaces or graining, which are created using geometric and sometimes microscopically small patterns strung together. “They appear handcrafted and at the same time convey technical precision,” says Tonnecker, describing their special appeal. “Dark color nuances and tones that convey the absence of light and thus heaviness often contrast with light and iridescent colors,” he describes, citing as examples foils that have an effect on the surface, for example on furniture or technical housings.
Plastic tailor made - with natural look and haptic surfaces
According to the designers at GRAFE Blankenhain, the "haute couture" of individual color and surface design of plastics consists of adding contrasting fibers or plastic particles to the desired base color. The result is customized surfaces and structures that raise product design possibilities to a new level. In the automotive sector, manufacturers' concept cars demonstrate this new trend. "Bumpers, sills, underride guards or wheel arch liners that appear to be made of stone with their marbled look are all the rage, especially for SUVs," reports Danny Ludwig, Head of Product Management, Color & Functional Masterbatches. "There is a lot of demand from German and French OEMs, specifically for exterior parts." The first components have already been realized with GRAFE's masterbatches at parts suppliers and have met with great approval, Ludwig says. "Flakes and fibers of different structures are incorporated into the batch. What's completely new is that this can now also be realized with automotive-grade PP grades with a high recycled content, thus going some way toward fulfilling the sustainability promise." The main plastics for which the newly developed effects are used are PP for exterior and PC/ABS for interior applications. A 20 to 30 percent recycled content in PP is currently possible while still meeting the high demands placed on plastics regarding durability, emissions, component mechanics, and quality. "For automotive manufacturers, black and gray are the most interesting, but for other industries, many colors are possible." Whether flower pots, furniture, caravans, or toys. The applications are endless, Ludwig says. The development and identification of new raw materials that are suitable as additives are in constant motion within the company.
Unique flop effects for exclusive plastic applications
With new iridescent effects, GRAFE presents a new dimension of the variety of colorful dreams. Mermaid Effect, is the new highlight of GRAFE's color specialists. The new "Mermaid Effect" project presents an exclusive multi-color selection of high-quality color changing effects - also known as interference effects. The particularly elegant and luxurious colors create a breathtaking color contrast that allows the viewer to change his or her visual impression depending on the viewing angle and incidence of light.
Filament identification directly in the plastic
A masterbatch for the identification of materials in industrial 3D printing has been realised by , Blankenhain together with its development partner Tailorlux. "This allows the authenticity of licensed plastics to be unmistakably determined in the filament that is processed in this additive manufacturing process," explains Lars Schulze, Head of Colour Development and Material Sciences. The idea of : "We work a marker into the filament that can be used to check whether the correct material has been used. It is permanent in the component and cannot be removed." A hand-held measuring device - also from Tailorlux - can identify the fuse marker in the material or component and thus assign its origin. At Formnext 23, the simple measuring function was demonstrated with a 3D printer from our partner CR-3D. The measuring electronics were integrated directly into the printing unit and can therefore provide a tamper-evident check and thus perfect counterfeit protection even before 3D printing begins. In its development, Tailorlux relies exclusively on security pigments from Tailorlux. Batch dosages can be realised from as little as 1%. The batch can be customised depending on the customer's security requirements for their products. So far, the marker has mainly been used for PLA and PETG. However, PA and PC have also been trialled.
GRAFE invites you on a discovery tour into the realm of the senses
Cosmetic bottles combining appearance, feel, and scent are presented at the PCD in Paris GRAFE in Blankenhain will present the latest development project results on scented batches at PCD 2023 in Paris. A masterbatch for PP was developed that makes the plastic smell. Together with a small selection of impressive effect pigments from Merck and different original textures from Eschmann, three cosmetic bottles were created that bring the scents of aromatic pine, lavender field, and floral fragrance into melodic harmony with the look and feel of the container. "The color inspirations come from nature. We chose French names, firstly to do justice to the trade fair location and secondly because the themes of fragrances, perfume, and cosmetics are associated with France," explains Lars Schulze, Head of Color Development and Material Science. "The olfactory principle of action is based on a fragrance oil and the migration of this substance to the surface, whereby, depending on the plastic, the process is slowed down, which prolongs the effect." According to the expert, there are hardly any comparable applications on the market at present. With the combination of fragrance, color, and effect, as well as stylish texture design, the company presents three cosmetic bottles in a decorative box. It creates a packaging experience for the highest demands. With the scented batches, various user industries now have a third way of appealing to the senses besides optics and haptics, namely olfaction; Schulze explains the market opportunities of the development. Moreover, the topic of smell can be excellently combined with GRAFE's core competence - the coloring of plastics. "With our fragrance batches, bad odours are captured and superimposed. Thus, an end-customer product that exudes the typical plastic smell when untreated could become a real experience when unpacked", says Schulze.
Competence in transparency
GRAFE is an expert in coloring translucent plastics Decades of experience, the highest level of technical know-how and state-of-the-art technical equipment - these are the three pillars on which the comprehensive expertise of the GRAFE GROUP, Blankenhain, in the coloring of transparent engineering plastics rests. "The requirements for dispersion and homogenization are much higher for transparent materials than for opaque colorings," explains sales manager Lars Tonnecker. "Therefore, a compound is a better and cleaner solution than a masterbatch when it comes to product manufacturing. This is because defect patterns on the component, such as uneven color distribution, streaks and concentration differences, can be avoided or eliminated, since there is no need for additional metering of the masterbatch at the factory." "Whether headlights, taillights or displays - colored transparent plastics are mostly used in lighting applications. For this, there are precisely defined wavelength ranges from the manufacturers that must be adhered to and from which there must be no deviations," adds project manager Elke Milus. "We can adjust our compounds so that each batch corresponds to the other with minimal tolerances, with the highest reproducibility and thus the best quality." GRAFE has also recently invested extensively in its laboratory equipment and now has, among other things, a high-resolution spectrophotometer for measuring transmission in different wavelength ranges (UV/VIS/NIR = ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared). Thanks to its higher optical resolution in an extended wavelength range from 350 to 1,050 nanometers, the instrument even measures in five-nanometer steps instead of the usual ten-nanometer steps and is thus much more precise.
Masterbatch specialist offers the ideal colouring for every plastic
The GRAFE GROUP, Blankenhain, has been a specialist in the black colouring of standard plastics for many years and has a broad portfolio of corresponding masterbatches. Based on these competencies, solutions are also being developed for more and more technical plastics and their corresponding applications, with the help of which brilliant black tones can be realized. „In the PE/PP area, we offer a deep black for injection moulding, also known as piano black, which produces a depth of colour that can otherwise only be produced by soluble dyes in amorphous polymer structures. On customer request, the masterbatches can be combined in such a way that flowability and cycle time improve“, reports Danny Ludwig, Head of Product Management, Color & Functional Masterbatches and especially refers to applications in the automotive sector. For applications in 3D printing, GRAFE also provides a black batch for PLA that is characterised by very good dispersion and homogenisation. „It is very well suited for filament extrusion and impresses with its excellent processability without agglomerates“, reports the head of product management. A masterbatch for PC processing, which is used in injection moulding, also has a very good colour depth and good dispersion quality. For the production of staple fibres and in film extrusion, GRAFE offers a masterbatch that is suitable for black colouring of PET. „It has the usual market carbon black content of 30 per cent with very good dispersion“, so Ludwig. This is necessary in order to be able to colour fibres reliably. Very good carbon black and fibre quality are further special features of the product. For PA processing, GRAFE has a wide range of carbon blacks or nigrosine available for black colouring. „The target group here is normal injection moulding applications, especially for automotive, but also technically very demanding components in the construction sector.
Varied colours for green products
Under the slogan "GRAFE - we are very colorful but always greener", the company will demonstrate its expertise as a specialist in the customer-specific coloring of all types of polymers at PCD 2020. This also includes more and more bio-plastics. GRAFE is increasingly specialising in the colouring of renewable biodegradable plastics - both through the use of commercially available carrier systems and in particular on the basis of renewable or biodegradable systems. Our comprehensive expertise in the colouring of numerous plastics also helps here as a carrier system.
Mermaid FX
The new "Mermaid Effect" project presents an exclusive multi-colored selection of high-quality color changing effects - also known as interference effects. The particularly elegant and luxurious colors create a breathtaking color contrast that allows the viewer to change his or her visual impression depending on the viewing angle and the incidence of light. Believe in the magic of color – Mermaid Effect Hardly any other figure is as beautiful and enchanting as the mermaid. Generations of sailors have dreamed of a girl with a dazzling fishtail. Even today the mythical creatures fascinate us with their shimmering and iridescent colors. Adapted to the magnificent colors of a mermaid's fin, the GRAFE-DESIGN-CENTER presents eight different flop effects, which are characterized by their special color brilliance and a strong color change.
Antistatic masterbatch reduces dust attraction on plastics
Their own high-performance antistatic masterbatch with a long lasting effect, has been further developed by the family business from Blankenhain. The product was introduced at the K 2019. “We have adapted the recipe and optimized it for other carrier materials. Depending on the application and storage conditions, the long-term effect can last up to four years. It occurs immediately after the end product has been manufactured,” explains additive specialist Dr. Carlos Caro, referring to the special feature of the development. “The surface resistance is in the static-dissipative range between 10E6 and 10E9 ohms. These values are very difficult to achieve with other products on the market”. The high-performance antistatic masterbatch has several compelling effects. It avoids the occurrence of sudden discharges, reduces dust attraction on surfaces and minimizes the risk of explosions. “This provides better protection for both staff and sensitive electrical equipment,” says the expert. “The product can be combined with colour masterbatches or fillers as desired by the customer. The lower dosage of 2 to a maximum of 5 percent results in effective cost savings”. In addition, the antistatic substances can also be used as lubricants or demoulding aids. The areas of application for the additive are therefore diverse. “Applications are possible in the areas of film extrusion, injection moulding, blow moulds, staple fibres and nonwovens as well as deep-drawn parts,” explains the expert, but points out that this only applies to the industrial sector. “The high-performance antistatic masterbatch can also be used in the non-food sector for transparent and colourless articles. Applications with food contact or in medical technology are not possible”.
Color and texture effects combined cost-effectively in one tool
Eschmann Textures International GmbH, Gummersbach, in cooperation with GRAFE, Blankenhain, has developed a new method with which a wide variety of colour and texture effects can be cost-effectively combined in a blow mould. The basis is a digitally printed, flexible film carrier for which the process is named - Digiflex. It offers cost and time optimisation and is suitable for rapid design validation, material testing and product evaluation. Short series production is also possible.
Inspiration for the packaging industry
With over 25 years of expertise in the production of individual colour masterbatches, GRAFE meets every challenge beyond the standard range. Be it special customer materials to be used as carriers, individual effect colours or special production processes - we implement the wishes of our customers. The ultra-modern technological equipment of our pilot plant enables a precisely fitting preliminary simulation of the products, especially in the injection moulding process, film extrusion and especially in blow moulding (2-layer system). This year, 4 exciting theme projects provided the necessary inspiration for the design departments! COLOR FOOD ORIENT CULTURE INTERIOR INSPIRATION NATIVE CULTURE
Fantastic Colors - Outstanding gloss and fascinating haptic
Making colors come alive in exceptionally sensual creations – this is what the specialists of the GRAFE-Design-Center of the GRAFE-Group in Blankenhain, Germany is known for within the plastics industry and beyond. Through a collaboration between GRAFE and Eckart, a manufacturer of metal and effect pigments, six fantastic colors in six PET bottles that are embedded in an imaginative story have emerged. With an exceptional shine and a fascinating feel, the metallic tones are charming and temp a person into the world of Fantastic Colors.
New luxury colors combine matte elegance and sophisticated shine
Color plays an important role in assessing the exclusivity of everyday objects. It contributes significantly to whether an article is perceived as valuable or even high-class, as noble, valuable, stylish or even exclusive. The color experts at GRAFE, Blankenhain, have been dealing with the style-defining and perception-controlling effect of colors for plastic applications for decades and will be presenting a new project that presents three exclusive and noble shades under the term "Luxury". "The three colors are shown in the form of a sample plate with one hexagonal plate per cover. The material used is a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer with a matting agent as an additive," explains Lars Schulze, Head of Color Development and Material Science. The trick: with the same tool, the matting agent creates the matt surface/look. The color of the hexagon without additive shows a matt and a glossy surface - which allows a comparison to the sample plate with additive and shows possible applications of the matting agent. One half is matt, the other half is glossy. "We show how different looks can be created in injection molding without additional tooling costs," says Schulze. The color specialists focused on expressive and harmonious tones in their choice of colors to achieve a luxurious look that creates a perfect combination with aesthetic design. "This is made possible by the matt yet softly shimmering surface," reports Schulze. The names of the colors presented already reveal their noble claim: Shiny Graphite, Silky Lux-Grey and Liquid Rosé Gold are the names of the developments presented at the trade fair. Each of them makes its own contribution to the theme of "Luxury" and defines it in a special way. You can find the complete press release on our homepage.
Infinite color variety for 3D printing - GRAFE develops varied silk gloss effect
With a broad spectrum of infinite color variations, GRAFE, Blankenhain, is bringing variety to the market for 3D printing applications and presenting this to its customers with a box. This contains ten basic colors, of which a white polymer blend acts as a carrier. “The silk effect or gloss only really becomes visible in 3D printing,” explains Lars Schulze, Head of Color Development and Material Sciences. “With the colors, we offer a tested base, the so-called silk effect with corresponding good printability and high gloss level.” The project was specifically developed to reproduce this noble gloss effect. Certain pigments’ selection avoids matting, leading to the highest gloss level. Two color combinations in a shapely vase look provide a preview for design inspiration. The two color models are presented in a high-quality box. A color table with 19 mixing examples is intended to serve as a stimulus among the infinite color combination possibilities and to represent the most diverse demands of users. It serves as an orientation and should make it possible to meet customer requirements quickly. In addition, the customer receives corresponding dosing suggestions. However, the presentation samples only provide inspiration for users because there are no limits to color fantasy with the basic colors, and the user can mix his colors creatively and achieve individual color shades. Up to now, there has only been a small choice of colors for high-gloss filaments on the 3D printing market. We want to change that with our expertise in coloring plastics and offer a basis for customization with our masterbatch,” explains Schulze. GRAFE has its own filament extruder and 3D printer in-house and can thus produce and test appropriate filaments itself. “In this way, we are able to try out our own developments. This significantly reduces development times, as the time-consuming testing process at the customer’s premises is no longer necessary,” says Schulze.
BASE BLACK: GRAFE develops an efficient alternative for the most common automotive blacks
BASE BLACK: flexible adjustment and permanently available With the new BASE BLACK masterbatch for polypropylene (PP), GRAFE, Blankenhain, has developed an efficient alternative for the most common automotive black shades, which, in addition to its permanent availability - sample quantities are shipped the same day for production tests - also offers a significantly better price level compared to an OEM direct color. In addition, the masterbatch can also be flexibly adjusted. "Our BASE BLACK masterbatch already achieves excellent color values at standard parameters in the production process, which are within the OEM tolerance and only deviate slightly from the direct colors," reports Lars Schulze, Head of Colour Development and Material Sciences, referring to minimal differences when comparing L*a*b* color values at Audi/VW, Daimler, Renault/Dacia, Tesla or BMW, for example. "The development is used for rapid initial sampling and can be brought to the target through process optimization," he adds. "We are happy to support our customers in the final optimization step to the perfect color because BASE BLACK can already be adjusted in the production process by minimal parameter shifts - for example, in dosage, processing temperature, or pressure," explains Johannes Grau, Strategic Accounts Mobility Solutions. "Our product represents an alternative to the otherwise usual detailed settings that are adjusted to the polymer and component," he adds. In addition, it could also reduce warehousing costs.
Bright colors for more green on the blue planet - Bright colors for more green on the blue planet
Sustainability is on everyone’s lips, and the Thuringian company GRAFE from Blankenhain is also involved in the development of specific masterbatches for corresponding applications. “We have been working on the coloring of bio-based and home-compostable materials for some time now,” reports Lars Schulze, Head of Color Development and Material Sciences. “We were able to successfully establish the first projects on the market and commercialise them. We have gained extensive experience and done a lot of development work. We will continue to push forward the projects with a sustainable character.” Home compostable products meet the highest standards of environmental protection, according to the company. For example, the company has successfully colored coffee capsules in a very elaborate development project. “Given the strict guidelines according to which the masterbatches may only contain certain ingredients and the pigments can only be used in limited concentrations, this is quite a demanding task. Nevertheless, we succeeded in over-coloring the dark base material, explains Schulze. In the end, the colors maroon, light grey, brilliant blue, blue-grey, petrol brilliant, olive brilliant, violet brilliant as well as beige and berry were used from GRAFE’s Modalen range. The certification came into effect on 14 August 2020. “We are currently working on PHBV projects,” Schulze reports. This is a home compostable, non-toxic, biocompatible plastic that is produced naturally by bacteria and offers a good alternative for many non-biodegradable, synthetic polymers. “Besides the difficulties of the biopolymers currently on offer, in terms of processing, inherent color and temperature resistance, another major challenge is their coloring or over-coloring. Both the plastic base material and the additives should have as little impact on the environment as possible and be biodegradable in order to achieve the certification goals,” explains the expert...
Competence in transparency
GRAFE is an expert in coloring translucent plastics Decades of experience, the highest level of technical know-how and state-of-the-art technical equipment - these are the three pillars on which the comprehensive expertise of the GRAFE GROUP, Blankenhain, in the coloring of transparent engineering plastics rests. "The requirements for dispersion and homogenization are much higher for transparent materials than for opaque colorings," explains sales manager Lars Tonnecker. "Therefore, a compound is a better and cleaner solution than a masterbatch when it comes to product manufacturing. This is because defect patterns on the component, such as uneven color distribution, streaks and concentration differences, can be avoided or eliminated, since there is no need for additional metering of the masterbatch at the factory." "Whether headlights, taillights or displays - colored transparent plastics are mostly used in lighting applications. For this, there are precisely defined wavelength ranges from the manufacturers that must be adhered to and from which there must be no deviations," adds project manager Elke Milus. "We can adjust our compounds so that each batch corresponds to the other with minimal tolerances, with the highest reproducibility and thus the best quality." GRAFE has also recently invested extensively in its laboratory equipment and now has, among other things, a high-resolution spectrophotometer for measuring transmission in different wavelength ranges (UV/VIS/NIR = ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared). Thanks to its higher optical resolution in an extended wavelength range from 350 to 1,050 nanometers, the instrument even measures in five-nanometer steps instead of the usual ten-nanometer steps and is thus much more precise.
BASE BLACK: GRAFE develops an efficient alternative for the most common automotive blacks
BASE BLACK: flexible adjustment and permanently available With the new BASE BLACK masterbatch for polypropylene (PP), GRAFE, Blankenhain, has developed an efficient alternative for the most common automotive black shades, which, in addition to its permanent availability - sample quantities are shipped the same day for production tests - also offers a significantly better price level compared to an OEM direct color. In addition, the masterbatch can also be flexibly adjusted. "Our BASE BLACK masterbatch already achieves excellent color values at standard parameters in the production process, which are within the OEM tolerance and only deviate slightly from the direct colors," reports Lars Schulze, Head of Colour Development and Material Sciences, referring to minimal differences when comparing L*a*b* color values at Audi/VW, Daimler, Renault/Dacia, Tesla or BMW, for example. "The development is used for rapid initial sampling and can be brought to the target through process optimization," he adds. "We are happy to support our customers in the final optimization step to the perfect color because BASE BLACK can already be adjusted in the production process by minimal parameter shifts - for example, in dosage, processing temperature, or pressure," explains Johannes Grau, Strategic Accounts Mobility Solutions. "Our product represents an alternative to the otherwise usual detailed settings that are adjusted to the polymer and component," he adds. In addition, it could also reduce warehousing costs.
Colour expertise for sustainable, bio-based reusable trays
Reusable, bio-based, and thus environmentally friendly: together, the masterbatch specialist GRAFE from Blankenhain, the biotechnology company TECNARO from Ilsfeld, and the tableware manufacturer ORNAMIN from Minden have developed a sustainable product solution made of plastic. The 2Go tableware from ORNAMIN is made of the raw material Arboblend, a bio-material from TECNARO that has been awarded the Green Brand Germany seal several times. It consists of 94 percent plant-based renewable raw materials and natural waxes, minerals, and fibres. GRAFE’s masterbatch carrier material is also based on this. “Just like the plastics used by the customer, suitable Arboblend carrier materials are used for our masterbatches. Compared to conventional carriers, we thus ensure excellent compatibility and homogeneous colouring throughout. Moreover, these are also bio-based and thus environmentally friendly,” says Steffen Schubert, Head of Sales D-A-CH. The Thuringian masterbatch specialist colours the bio-polymer for the reusable trays with a total of six muted shades currently in series production – from blackberry to petrol and linen to sage – as well as black and white (olive green and fresh ivy green are also in development). “We are currently converting our 2GO range to the bio-based plastic; soon more than 15 products will be available in six different colours each,” reports Milena von der Emde, shareholder of ORNAMIN and responsible for product management. “The new organic line from ORNAMIN convinces with excellent quality and sustainability. We are pleased about the good cooperation in the project with Tecnaro and Grafe.” “We have already been working with TECNARO for many years and jointly develop environmentally friendly plastic solutions based on Arboblend,” Schubert explains. By working together on this project, all three companies are underlining their commitment to sustainable resource management and against the waste caused by disposable products.
GRAFE's customer portal now offers a CO₂ calculator to verify the life cycle assessment
Increasing sustainability requirements demand information on the emission content of products Sustainability requirements in plastics processing are constantly increasing and more and more customers are demanding proof of a product's eco-balance. For this reason, the GRAFE GROUP, Blankenhain, has been providing a CO₂ calculator for certifying the masterbatches or compounds ordered since the last update of its customer portal. This allows the CO₂ equivalent of greenhouse gases for each of the company's products to be calculated live and within a few seconds and downloaded as a PDF document. „Our customers are increasingly demanding sustainability. We therefore feel obliged to be able to show them the emissions content of our products“, explains Manuel Klemm, Head of Internal Sales. „The certificate created contains the necessary data on the carbon footprint of our products and gives our customers the opportunity to calculate the environmental performance of their own products in the next step of the value chain. The values are based on the cradle-to-gate system limits in accordance with ISO 14040/44“, says Klemm.