BASF’s Sicopal Black K0098 FK Gets Expanded FDA Clearance for Recyclable Black Plastics

BASF’s Colors & Effects division has introduced Sicopal Black K 0098 FK, an alternative to traditional carbon black that now enjoys expanded FDA compliance. This pigment is one of the first recyclable black dyes approved for use in food‑contact applications, following its EU food‑contact approval (EU 10/2011) in April of this year.

Black plastic packaging has long been considered unrecyclable because carbon black pigment is invisible to waste‑sorting machinery and disrupts the recovery of high‑value resins. By replacing carbon black with the near‑infrared (NIR) reflective Sicopal Black K 0098 FK, black articles can now be reliably identified and sorted for recycling. This breakthrough opens the door for a range of recyclable black plastic products—from sushi trays to take‑out containers—to enter the market without compromising sustainability.

“Whether used alone or in combination with other pigments, Sicopal Black K 0098 FK delivers a deep, jet‑black hue that meets the aesthetic demands of modern packaging,” says Breeze Briggs, technical manager for Colors & Effects North America. “It also offers excellent shading capabilities, enabling designers to avoid carbon black altogether.”

Polyplastics Expands Topas COC Production with New German Facility Ineos Expands Recycl‑IN Line to Offer 60%+ Recycled LDPE/LLDPE for Flexible Packaging

Resin