Choosing Blue and Green Pigments for Plastic Masterbatch

Blue and green pigments can look interchangeable on a colour chip, but in plastic masterbatch they perform very differently. Extrusion heat, carrier resin, migration risk and outdoor exposure all decide whether a pigment works in production and in the final part. Shanghai Baiyan Industrial Co., Ltd., founded in 2010, supplies phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, ultramarine blue and fluorescent pigments for masterbatch and related applications. This guide covers the practical selection points for blue and green pigments in plastic masterbatch.

Why Heat Resistance Is the First Filter for Masterbatch

Masterbatch is processed through extrusion, where the pigment must survive the actual processing temperature. If heat resistance is too low, the colour can shift, and the grade may not perform reliably in the carrier resin. That is why heat resistance is the first filter, not the final check.

Baiyan produces Phthalocyanine Blue (PB15) grades 1513/1512 BSX and Blue BK (PB15:1) rated for 280°C heat resistance. These are used in non-woven fabric, EVA foam and plastic masterbatch. For higher-temperature engineering plastics, start with grades that match or exceed the process window. The 1540 Blue BGNCF (PB15:4) is rated 280°C and is also anti-crystallization, anti-flocculation and solvent resistant. Ultramarine blue pigment is heat resistant to 300°C for plastics masterbatch.

For general masterbatch, heat resistance still matters, but the required level may be lower. The 1530 Blue BGS (PB15:3) is positioned for paint, plastic, offset and water-based ink. It can be evaluated for plastic applications where the processing and end-use requirements match its profile.

How to Read Migration and Dispersion Figures

Migration resistance is critical when the final plastic part will contact other materials, or when colour must stay stable over time. Baiyan rates migration resistance from 6 to 9 on its chart. Use that figure as a screening tool: compare the rating against the service conditions of the part, especially in PVC, flexible applications or long-life products. Fluorescent TY-series pigments offer good solvent resistance and migration resistance in PVC, and they are recommended pre-dispersed as masterbatch.

Dispersibility in the carrier resin is the next practical figure. A pigment can have excellent heat resistance and still cause streaks, specks or weak colour development if it does not disperse well in the specific resin. For masterbatch, ask how the grade behaves in your carrier resin, not only in a general test. Good dispersion supports consistent colour, stable output and fewer production adjustments.

Blue Pigment Choices: High-Temp vs General Masterbatch

For high-temperature engineering plastics, choose blue pigments with heat resistance suited to the extrusion temperature. The Phthalocyanine Blue (PB15) grades 1513/1512 BSX and Blue BK (PB15:1) are rated for 280°C and are used in non-woven fabric, EVA foam and plastic masterbatch. The 1540 Blue BGNCF (PB15:4) is another 280°C option, with anti-crystallization, anti-flocculation and solvent resistance. Ultramarine blue pigment reaches 300°C heat resistance and is intended for plastics masterbatch.

For general masterbatch, the 1530 Blue BGS (PB15:3) is used in paint, plastic, offset and water-based ink. If your process temperature and end-use demands align, it can be a practical blue for plastic colouration. You can review the full range of phthalocyanine blue grades to compare PB15, PB15:1, PB15:3 and PB15:4 options before choosing a masterbatch grade.

Green Pigment Notes: PG7 Grades and Heat Limits

Phthalocyanine Green G grades 5319/5329/5339/5369 (PG7) offer 220–280°C heat resistance. They are used in general use, textile printing coating, water-based ink, coil coating and plastic. That range means green selection must begin with the actual processing temperature. A general-purpose green may be suitable for lower-temperature masterbatch, while a higher-temperature application needs a grade at the upper end of the range.

Do not treat all PG7 grades as identical. Review the phthalocyanine green options against your resin, processing temperature and end-use requirements. If the part is outdoors, also check light and weather fastness, because green pigments can face different demands in exterior plastics than in short-life indoor goods.

Matching the Pigment to the End Use

Outdoor parts need light and weather fastness, not only colour strength. Indoor parts may prioritise colour consistency, migration resistance and cost. Flexible PVC may demand good solvent resistance and migration resistance, while rigid masterbatch may prioritise dispersion and heat stability. For non-woven fabric and EVA foam, the pigment must survive the relevant process and remain compatible with the carrier system.

Baiyan has its own carbon black plant, invested in 2011, and colour paste production in Taizhou since 2016/2017. This supports pigment and colour paste supply for masterbatch producers who need consistent input.

What to Send the Supplier: A Short Checklist

When asking for a blue or green pigment recommendation, send:

• Resin type
• Processing temperature
• Outdoor or indoor use
• Target shade or C.I. number

These four points let the supplier narrow the range quickly. Add any migration, solvent resistance or pre-dispersion requirements if they apply to your masterbatch.

For Baiyan pigment recommendations, contact Anne at +86 150 5830 7390 or Anne410139946@outlook.com.