TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Solutions
Riverdale Global presents color and additive solutions at PT XPO during March 29-31 2022, booth 3706. These solutions are compatible with multiple resins and are effective in various applications, offering a longer shelf life and providing numerous benefits for both sustainability goals and savings.
90% Less Energy in Pigment Dispersion
The process of dispersing pigment into liquid uses 90% less energy than compounding pigment into color, due to the amount of energy required for heating and extrusion. In addition, liquid color produces fully developed color with less pigment than concentrate.
Final dispersion is more complete, achieving full color strength with less pigment, often 30% lesser than concentrate. Another important benefit is that liquid color weighs about 75% less, which significantly reduces transportation costs. Storing liquid color requires 80% less warehouse space than pellet as well.
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We want to make a difference and this 15 billion dollar industry is ready for a sustainability upgrade. Our goal is to use the least amount of color possible while achieving the customers desired effect for great product sustainability,” said Paul Maguire, president.
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The better dispersion of liquid color requires less color in a plastic part which allows recyclers an easier time providing the industry with more post-consumer material to replace virgin. There is also a 16% energy savings when coloring a product with liquid versus pellet,” added Maguire.
Riverdale Global makes color in customer supplied containers to minimize waste every step of the way. The company’s business model GlobalLocal™, focuses on servicing liquid color for global products to their customers, while also supporting the local communities in which they are produced.
The company supports local communities by eliminating industrial waste with their unique Return for Refill™ program. This process is possible because of their proprietary, Computerized Color™ technology, which automates how they make, meter and maintain liquid color in a process.
Related Read: Pigments for Plastics: Complete Technical Guide
Unique Business Model Eliminates Industrial Waste
From start to finish, sustainability is the company’s main goal. With the Global-Local™ business model, Riverdale Global sets up facilities close to their customers. When they service customers through local satellites, the Global-Local™ model enables them to supply color for global products and support their processors’ local communities by eliminating industrial waste.
The process starts with the making of color. During this time, they automate milling with dedicated containers per pigment with built-in mills and dispersion blades. These containers remain sealed to prevent cross-contamination and material waste.
Second, they meter their customers' color with gravimetric technology. This gravimetric technology, in combination with completely sealed drums, prevent material handling complications and environmental debris from ever touching the color.
Lastly, they maintain our customers’ color with both our GlobalTracker™ software and Return for Refill™ program. GlobalTracker™ software provides precise inventory tracking which eliminates industrial waste and the Return for Refill™ program allows for 100% of the color to be used and the color drums to be reused. The Return for Refill™ program picks up the customers' empty containers and refills them, leaving zero waste for the landfill.
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Riverdale Global has brought both technology and common-sense logistical ideas together to provide an innovative system to the molders of the world. The Pump in the Drum together with internet remote access provides for peak efficiency and cost reduction,” says Riverdale Global customer Steve Ulrich, general manager, consumer packaging plant.
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The "milk run" approach has saved the environment from truck loads of liquid waste from entering our landfills and saved molders the cost of the residual color. Truly, the entire system is a big win for sustainability and costs reduction,” adds Ulrich.
Riverdale Global's Complete Product Range
Source: Riverdale Global