Colorants meet requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration

31-Oct-11

Macrolex colorants from LANXESS have once again proven themselves in the plastics sector: The renowned U.S. legal firm Keller & Heckman LLP based in Washington, D.C., has certified that Eastman Tritan colored with Macrolex colorants meets the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their opinion is based on results from trials and extensive toxicological testing. Specialty chemicals company LANXESS worked with Eastman Chemical Company, manufacturer of Tritan, in selecting 10 Macrolex colorant grades to demonstrate their specific suitability for coloring the copolymer. Macrolex colorants (macrolex.com) meet numerous legal conditions for use in food packaging and toys. They make it possible to achieve excellent results in coloring amorphous polymers. Coloration can range from transparent to full coverage, depending on the polymer and combination of colorants. Other benefits are high color intensity, outstanding brilliance, very good weather resistance and lightfastness and excellent heat stability. Eastman Chemical Company, a U.S. based company with operations around the world, is the leading manufacturer of polyester plastic for packaging. In 2007, Eastman launched a polymer called Eastman Tritan that balances the properties of clarity, toughness, dishwasher durability and high heat and chemical resistance. An additional bonus is that it is free of bisphenol A (BPA). “Thanks to Macrolex colorants, Eastman Tritan copolyester provides customers with superior design capabilities and opportunities for product differentiation,” said Lucian Boldea, Business Director for Eastman’s Specialty Plastics Business. “We assisted LANXESS with identifying this range of colorants to give our customers broad color matching options that meet FDA requirements.” “Our 10 Macrolex colorants meet FDA requirements up to a total content of 0.2 percent. This is a considerable amount in view of the high tinting strength,” remarked Jim Rediske, technical service and development specialist for colorants in LANXESS' Functional Chemicals business unit.