A firm which colours plastic has said it has developed technology which could save thousands of tonnes of waste from being sent to landfill.
Most black plastic used in packaging is not recycled because it cannot be identified by the near infrared detectors used at waste sorting facilities.
Despite the plastic itself being recyclable, because it can not be detected it ends up in landfill.
Colour Tone Masterbatch, based in Bedwas, has said it has developed a colouring package which means manufacturers can colour their products however they want – including black – while retaining its detectability when it comes to being sorted after use.
It means thousands of tonnes of plastic waste, historically sent to landfill or for incineration, can be recycled instead.
Simon Atterby has been leading Colour Tone’s work with the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), the Welsh Government’s business development scheme which looks to provide help and support for firms wanting to expand.
The work with AGP has helped Colour Tone – which employs 50 people and has a turnover of around £5.5m – in identifying improvements in its manufacturing processes and potential for growth, particularly in overseas markets, after it went through an acquisition in 2017.
Mr Atterby, the company’s general manager, said the near infrared detectable product range, which has been in development since 2010, has major potential.
After initial feedback that the product was too costly, at around £0.0028 per tray, Colour Tone further innovated and found a way to reduce the costs via a new range of detectable blacks which were released last year.
Mr Atterby said: “This is a product which has been developed by Colour Tone, an SME based in Wales, which provides a solution to a global problem and has the potential to provide huge sustainability benefits on a global scale; something which we are very proud of. We applaud the brand owners and retailers who have chosen to make the switch to this new technology already and encourage those considering making the switch to do so.
“Unfortunately however consumers are receiving mixed and confusing messages which may lead them to believe black plastic is not recyclable, this is incorrect and when coloured with an infrared detectable colour pack it can be detected and recycled.”