52 FOCUS ON: CLARIANT
5. What has the response been to the new magenta dye launched at ALUMINIUM 2018? Feedback from the market has been great! Sanodye Magenta LF is the first truly durable magenta shade for colouring anodised aluminium and we’re seeing a lot of interest. Its unique level of light and weather fastness for indoor and outdoor applications is rarely found within the industry. On top of that, it’s also the hottest hue for autumn 2018. The single dye formulation has a heavymetal free dye structure which is a key consideration particularly for applications such as toys and consumer goods. As a single dye formulation it has uniform high reproducibility, which makes it ideal for achieving a precise shade or for colour matching packaging with its contents, as seen with cosmetic lipstick cases. Colour consistency is particularly important among the global brands. On the processing side, single dyes are easier to handle than blends. Sanodye Magenta LF shows good dye bath stability and enables a stable dyeing process. 6. Following up on the trend topic, is Clariant seeing any particular trends
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or challenges coming to the fore from customers as we head towards the end of 2018? Over our 50 plus years of experience in the coloration of anodised aluminium, we have seen our customers face an increasing number of challenges. The need for regulatory compliance is certainly a growing consideration, but the general focus on improving their broader sustainability is where our technology can really support them. For example, by ensuring consistent quality and also compatibility of dyes and chemicals like sealing additives, we help to ease the finishing process and improve their productivity. Within the anodised aluminium industry and the end-markets it supports there is a growing emphasis on globalisation. It is therefore important that suppliers like Clariant can react to this and draw on its own global presence and technical services to help them address their need for efficiency and quality consistency. 7. Finally, with aluminium demand increasing year-by-year, will Clariant be further strengthening its support for the anodised aluminium
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industry? Global emphasis on aspects like lightweight and recycling make aluminium an attractive material for many applications, and we are committed to helping the finishing market improve its sustainability as it moves forward. Through our continual focus on sustainable innovation and strong service support, we aim to give our customers access to the colours and effects they need to help product designers and engineers expand their creativity and take aluminium into new areas. Furthermore, Clariant invests continuously in its production facilities ensuring stable supply for the fast growing demand for aluminium finishing products. In 2011 we upgraded our aluminium dye and chemicals plant, which subsequently required a change of working pattern to a continuous shift system. In 2017/18 we achieved a further capacity increase by investing in new equipment. As a result, in the last five years we have increased our output by more than 30%, a step that will help us to continue to fulfil the requirements of the aluminium finishing industry into the future. �
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Aluminium International Today
14/01/2019 08:30:18