A Guide to Avient OmniColor™ Multipurpose Colour Concentrates

When you’re manufacturing plastic products across different polymers, applications and production processes, achieving reliable and consistent colour can present a range of considerations.

The polymer being processed, production method, temperature, required colour, opacity and end application can all influence the finished result.

This is where Avient OmniColor™ Multipurpose Colour Concentrates offer manufacturers a versatile solution.

Designed to deliver consistent colour performance across a broad range of polymers, OmniColor™ combines an extensive choice of colours with low addition rates and straightforward handling.

At Colourmaster, we supply Avient OmniColor™ across the UK and Ireland, helping manufacturers select the right solution for their individual application.

What is OmniColor™?

OmniColor™ is a range of multipurpose colour concentrates developed by Avient.

Unlike a colour concentrate designed specifically for one polymer, OmniColor™ uses a multipurpose compatible carrier system, allowing concentrates within the range to be used with a wide variety of polymers.

This versatility makes the range particularly useful for manufacturers processing multiple materials or producing a varied portfolio of plastic products.

OmniColor™ is available in 197 stock and standard colours and is suitable for use with more than 25 different polymers.

The concentrates are also supplied in pelletised form, making them easy to handle and store.

Compatible with a Wide Range of Polymers

One of the key benefits of OmniColor™ is its broad polymer compatibility.

The range can be suitable for materials including:

• Polyethylene
• Polypropylene
• GP and HI Polystyrene
• ABS
• PVC
• Polycarbonate
• Polyamide (Nylon)
• Acetal
• PET and PBT Polyester
• Polyurethane
• Acrylics for opaque applications
• SAN
• EVA
• Filled polymers
• Thermoplastic alloys and blends

Recommended addition rates vary according to the polymer, although many applications have a recommended addition rate of just 1% – equivalent to a 100:1 ratio.

The specific colour, polymer and processing conditions should always be considered when selecting a concentrate and addition rate.

Consistent Colour with a Low Usage Ratio

Colour consistency is important when producing components across multiple batches.

OmniColor™ has been developed to provide reliable batch-to-batch colour while its low usage ratio can make it a cost-effective colouration option.

Its versatility may also help manufacturers reduce the number of different colour concentrates they need to hold when working with several compatible polymers.

Thorough premixing of the OmniColor™ concentrate and polymer is important to achieve colour consistency throughout the production run. This can be achieved through methods including tumble mixing or concentrate metering devices.

From Everyday Colours to Specialist Effects

Colour requirements don’t always stop at a standard red, blue or green.

The OmniColor™ range includes a broad spectrum of shades, from whites and neutral tones through to bright yellows, reds, blues and greens.

There are also a number of specialist colour and effect options, including:

Pearlescents – including Pearl White, Satin Pearl, Azure Blue and Mint Pearl.

Metallics – including Gold, Aztec Gold, Copper, Silver and Pewter.

Fluorescents – including fluorescent yellow, orange, pink and green.

Special effects – including sparkle, transparent, edge-glow and other distinctive finishes.

This gives manufacturers greater scope to use colour and visual effects as part of the finished product design.

Because printed or digital colour representations cannot guarantee the exact finished shade, a physical sample should be used where colour accuracy is important.

Suitable for Different Manufacturing Processes

The versatility of OmniColor™ also extends to how plastics are processed.

According to Avient’s processing guidance, OmniColor™ masterbatches can be used for:

• Injection moulding
• Blow moulding
• Profile extrusion
• Sheet extrusion

They can also withstand the drying temperatures of many polymers that require drying before processing, including ABS and nylon.

However, processing conditions matter.

Individual colours have recommended maximum processing temperatures depending on the polymer being used. Actual finished colour can also vary according to the specific resin and processing conditions.

This is why understanding the complete application – rather than selecting a colour in isolation – is important.

What About Lightfastness and Outdoor Applications?

For products exposed to light or outdoor conditions, there are additional factors to consider.

Avient measures the lightfastness of OmniColor™ colours using the Blue Wool Scale, from 1 to 8, and the range offers different ratings to suit a variety of applications.

However, OmniColor™ concentrates do not themselves contain UV stabilisers, so outdoor applications should be considered individually.

It’s also important to distinguish between lightfastness and weatherability. A colour with good lightfastness does not automatically have good weatherability when exposed to outdoor conditions.

If either property is critical to the finished product, it should therefore form part of the product selection process.

Compatibility with Functional Additives

Colour may only be one requirement of a plastic product.

OmniColor™ concentrates are compatible with many commonly used additives, including:

• UV stabilisers
• Anti-static additives
• Slip agents

This allows manufacturers to consider colour alongside the additional performance characteristics required from the finished plastic component.

Colour, Polymer and Processing Need to Work Together

Choosing a colour concentrate isn’t simply about finding the closest shade on a chart.

The polymer, processing method, temperature, addition rate, opacity, regulatory requirements and final application can all influence which solution is appropriate.

That’s why we’re here to help.

At Colourmaster, we can support manufacturers in selecting the appropriate Avient OmniColor™ product for their material and application, whether you’re looking for an everyday production colour or something a little more distinctive.

Discover the Full OmniColor™ Range

From 197 stock and standard colours and compatibility with more than 25 polymers to pearlescent, metallic, fluorescent and specialist effects, there’s much more to explore within the OmniColor™ range.

Download the OmniColor™ brochure to explore the full colour chart, recommended addition rates, polymer compatibility, processing temperatures and technical information.