Why is the recycling of carbon black products via MRF so problematic?

Carbon Black is used in a multitude of materials and applications globally. For plastics, it’s commonly known for its use as a cost-effective colourant of products. Other attributes include conductive properties and its ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light making the finished product more resistant to degradation from sunlight.

On the contrary, its attribute has become a detriment when it comes to MRF recycling and recovery.

Most modern-day MRFs and plastic processing facilities use NIR (near-infrared) scanning either in transmission or reflection to identify and segregate plastic waste streams.

Carbon black’s ability to absorb UV light rather than reflect makes it particularly difficult to recognise and sort via NIR detection. As a result, black plastic packaging commonly ends up as residual waste and is disposed of in a landfill or recycled into low-value linear materials.

Attitudes are changing.  Consumers want environmentally responsible packaging. Companies and brand owners are innovating their product design which includes the withdrawal of carbon black in a response to societal pressure, meeting recycling targets and most importantly, reducing waste.