Engelhard Introduces New Pigment Technology for High-Contrast Marking

Engelhard Introduces New Pigment Technology for High-Contrast Marking

Engelhard Corporation (NYSE: EC) has introduced new patented pigment technology that enables intricate, high-contrast markings in a variety of polymer materials typically used in such industries as plastic packaging, automotive and consumer goods.

New Engelhard Mark-it™ laser marking pigment helps provide indelible, fast and programmable laser marking of part numbers, bar codes, dates of manufacture, and expiration dates on plastic surfaces. Other applications include company logos, markings for product differentiation and as an anti-counterfeiting deterrent.

"The primary market for laser marking remains non-aesthetic applications, but we are also seeing rapid market growth in aesthetic applications," said Stephane Rochard, global marketing manager, automotive and industrial markets for Engelhard's special-effect pigments. Engelhard Mark-it technology is well-suited for both applications as it can quickly generate quality contrasting effects."

Engelhard Mark-it also is the first laser marking pigment to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has approved its use at loadings up to 0.5% in polyolefins that contact food under certain conditions. Engelhard Mark-it pigment loading is only 0.1% to obtain a high-quality mark in most polyolefins.

The pigment also is environmentally safe because the laser marking process does not require the use of solvents typically required in printing-ink processes. The laser marks are usually dark letters and numbers on transparent or light-colored backgrounds or off-white on dark backgrounds.

Engelhard Corporation is a surface and materials science company that develops technologies to help customers improve their products and processes. A Fortune 500 company, Engelhard is a world-leading provider of technologies for environmental, process, appearance and performance applications.