Venator Unveils Liquid TiO₂ Masterbatches to Whiten Recycled PET

Venator has developed a new liquid pigment masterbatch technology that can be used to whiten recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers quickly, cleanly, and efficiently. Based on the company’s established titanium dioxide (TiO₂) platform for the fiber industry, the new HOMBITAN® LQ range is optimized for delustering PET fibers from plastic bottles that will be re-spun into polyester - ready for creating new consumer products including footwear and apparel.

Venator is launching: HOMBITAN® LQ White 100, optimized for semi-dull recycled PET fibers; and HOMBITAN® LQ White 130 for the manufacture of full-dull fibers. Designed for small scale recycled PET projects, conducted on a single extrusion line, both products are simple to use and offer several advantages over solid (pelletized) masterbatch pigment solutions.

Small Quantity for Good Opacity Results

Dosed via a precision pump, HOMBITAN® LQ products can be easily incorporated into an extrusion line. Seamlessly homogenized into a recycled polymer melt, HOMBITAN® LQ products have a higher solid pigment load than pelletized solutions – meaning fiber producers use a very small quantity to achieve comparable whiteness and opacity results.

Designed to withstand temperature changes and pressure fluctuations during processing, HOMBITAN® LQ products deliver excellent uniform whiteness – reducing the gloss of recycled fibers that can be considered unsightly in some garments.

In addition, HOMBITAN® LQ products require no pre-processing – saving fiber producers time and money. Unlike pelletized masterbatches, which need to be dried and crystallized, HOMBITAN® LQ products are delivered ready to use, in easy to store drums. HOMBITAN® LQ products can also be used near spinning operations – thanks to their liquid formulation.

Xandra Bläser, global business director, specialty pigmentary TiO₂ - fibers & films at Venator, said: “The use of recycled PET to create fibers for footwear, textile and apparel applications is now commonplace. This shift has been gaining momentum over the last few years and reflects the wider corporate sustainability ambitions of manufacturers that want to reduce their dependence on virgin materials, cut their carbon footprint and give a second life to materials that would otherwise end up in landfill. Our HOMBITAN® LQ range is designed to support these customers as they step up their environmental efforts.”

“Applying our extensive knowledge of the fiber spinning process, we’ve created a liquid TiO₂ technology that can help fiber producers achieve the high-quality end results they want from the PET they have recovered. The creation of HOMBITAN® LQ is the first in a number of new liquid-based products, designed to simplify the use of TiO₂ and other additives across a range of applications and industries,” added Bläser

Alongside the supply of HOMBITAN® LQ, Venator produces several other pigments and additive products for the fibers and textiles market. Examples included TiO₂ for delustering a range of fiber polymers such as polyester, polyamide, viscose and polyacrylonitrile; plus HOMBRIGHT® S-ID (BaSO4) for bright yarns that have greater production stability and can be spun faster.

Source: Venator