Colour masterbatches for rigid PVC incorporating heat reflecting, infrared pigments are the result of a joint development between Colour Tone Masterbatch (Bedwas / UK; www.colourtone-masterbatch.co.uk) and roofing products manufacturer Freefoam Plastics (Cork / Ireland; www.freefoam.com). Any colour can be used successfully and the “Vynacol” masterbatches offer temperature performance profiles up to 40% lower than for materials coloured with conventional pigments.

The masterbatches solve thermal stability problems in uPVC, particularly for darker shades such as black and brown, and are said to improve service life of building and roofline products significantly, although products may be more expensive initially because of the higher cost of the inorganic pigments. Colour Tone says the technology it has developed for PVC is transferable to other polymers.