Top 4 Things to Know About Measuring the Color of Recycled Pellets

The recycled plastics market offers a sustainable alternative to virgin plastics, but ensuring consistent color in products made from reprocessed materials presents a unique challenge. Color variations in recycled pellets can impact the final product's look and marketability. 

Here are four points to keep in mind about measuring the color of recycled pellets:

1. Measuring the Color of Recycled Pellets Poses Unique Challenges

Recycled pellets originate from various post-consumer and industrial waste sources. This diverse origin leads to color variations in the pellets. Pigments and dyes used in the original plastics also contribute to the final color of the recycled pellets. 

Visual assessment proves unreliable for recycled pellets. It is subjective and prone to human error when dealing with surface texture variations in recycled plastics.

2. Color Measurement Is Essential for Consistency

Maintaining consistent color in recycled plastic products is crucial for several reasons, such as:

• Quality control: Consistent color signifies a well-controlled recycling process. Color variations can imply sorting, cleaning, or contamination issues. Catching the errors sooner allows for timely corrective actions.
• Aesthetics: Consistent color ensures a professional, appealing final product meeting consumer expectations.
• Product performance: In some applications, color variations can impact product performance. For example, consistent color in recycled automobile components demonstrates a precision-controlled production process.

3. Spectrophotometers Are the Best Color Measuring Solution

The best method for measuring the color of recycled pellets is through a spectrophotometer. These instruments analyze the light reflected from a sample across the visible spectrum. This analysis generates numerical data representing the actual color of the pellets. Spectrophotometers end subjectivity and ensure consistent color evaluation throughout the production process. Modern spectrophotometers offer advanced features, including:

• Compensation for texture variations: Certain geometries, like the 0°/45° configuration, reduce the influence of surface texture during color measurement. This ensures accurate results even with rougher-textured pellets.
• Standardized color spaces: Spectrophotometers generate color data in standardized color spaces like CIE L*a*b*. This establishes a common language for color communication throughout the supply chain.

4. Accurate Color Measuring Techniques Have Environmental Benefits

In addition to maintaining consistent quality, aesthetics and performance, measuring the color of your recycled pellets reduces your environmental impact. By measuring the color of small controlled samples, you can prevent the risk of producing entire batches that don't meet the required color standards. Managing your waste minimizes the amount of plastic that ends up as scrap or in landfills, unable to be used again. HunterLab is proud to offer our customers a way to reduce their environmental impact. 

Get in Touch With HunterLab for Expert Color Measuring Solutions

When you need reliable color measurement equipment, look no further than HunterLab. We are your go-to source for top-quality spectrophotometers.

Fill out our online form to learn more about our color measuring solutions, and one of our experts will contact you.