Colorants

Technical Information 

EVP 008905 e, December 2005 

supersedes EVP 004005 e, April 2005 

Page 1 of 27 

® 

= registered trademark of 

BASF Aktiengesellschaft, 

unless otherwise indicated 

= trademark of BASF Aktiengesellschaft, 

unless otherwise indicated 

Range 

Colorants 

for plastics colorations 

organic and inorganic pigments 

soluble dyestuffs 

Heliogen ® 

pigments 

Lithol ® pigments 

Paliogen ® pigments 

Paliotol ® pigments 

Sicomin ® pigments 

Sicopal ® pigments 

Sicotan ® pigments 

Sicotrans ® pigments 

Lumogen ® F dyes 

Thermoplast dyes 

Physical form powder or – for products suffixed “FG” – fine granules 

Storage According to the experience gained so far, the pigments and dyes 

listed in this Technical Information bulletin have, if stored cool and 

dry, a practically unlimited shelf life. 

Pigment preparations 

For certain plastics and applications it is often advantageous to use 

fully dispersed, low-dusting pigments – like Eupolen ® 

mono-pigment 

preparations – instead of pure pigments. This applies in particular to 

the coloration of very thin-walled products, when a very high degree 

of dispersion or dust-free conditions is required or when the pigments 

are to be metered automatically. 

Eupolen ® 

Eupolen ® 

Eupolen ® 

Euvinyl ® 

Oppasin ® 

PE preparations (powder, micro and standard pellets) 

PP preparations (standard pellets) 

PA preparations (standard pellets) 

C preparations (powder) 

preparations (chips) 

For more information please refer to the Technical Information bulletins, 

shade cards and brochures for the respective range.

EVP 008905 e, December 2005 Page 2 of 27 Colorants for plastic colorations 

General 

Aside from the field of application and the quality standard related 

to it, cost is an important issue when choosing a colorant. These 

criteria were taken into consideration when selecting the pigments 

to be listed in this Technical Information bulletin. These products 

meet medium to high standards of fastness to light, heat stability, 

fastness to migration and dispersibility. 

The letter “K” in a pigment’s name indicates that the product has 

been developed for the coloration of plastics and that the release 

inspection is carried out in plastics. Exceptions are: 

Lumogen ® 

F dyes photometric testing on a dye solution 

Thermoplast dyes photometric testing on a dye solution 

Tolerances are listed in the product specification sheets. 

Colorants can also be combined with additives like UV stabilizers, 

antistatic agents and antioxidants. For more information on BASF’s 

range of UV stabilizers, please refer to the Technical Information 

bulletin and the pocket reference Uvinul ® 

light stabilizers. 

You can find illustrations of the colorants in our pocket shade card 

Pigments for plastics (EVP 2405 DE). 

Technical literature Aside from the Technical Information bulletins and shade cards 

already mentioned, more are referred to within this document. 

Please contact our sales force to receive your copy. Shade cards 

and brochures can also be requested by e-mail from 

service.evp@basf-ag.de. Most documents are also available in the 

PDF file format on the Internet: www.basf.com/pigments. 

Quality management 

The production facilities for all products listed in this Technical Information 

bulletin are certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001, and 

so is the responsible operating division Performance Chemicals as 

a whole. 

Technical data 

Fastness to light The fastness to light is determined on injection-molded plaques of 

approximately 3 mm thickness. They are exposed to light according 

to DIN EN ISO 105-B 01 and assessed on the wool blue scale 

described in DIN EN ISO 105-B 01:


rating property 

1 very poor 

2 poor 

3 moderate 

4 fairly good 

5 good 

6 very good 

7 excellent 

8 outstanding 

Fastness to weathering Determined according to DIN EN ISO 4892-2 and assessed on the 

gray scale described in DIN EN 20105-A02. 

Heat stability The heat stability is determined according to DIN EN 12877-1 on a 

white reduction (organic pigments 1:10, inorganic pigments 1:4). 

The temperature of a PE-HD melt in an injection-molding machine 

is increased from 200 °C (392 °F) to 300 °C (592 °F) in steps of 

20 °C (68 °F) with a 5-minute dwell time. The heat stability denotes 

the highest temperature at which there is no noticeable change in 

shade (i. e., total color difference ΔE* is up to three units relative to 

the specimen prepared at 200 °C). Lumogen ® 

F and Thermoplast 

dyes are tested in different thermoplastics. 

Fastness to migration The fastness to migration is determined on a calendered PVC film 

in contact with a white-pigmented PVC film according to 

DIN 53775, part 3, at the pigment concentration indicated in the 

tables below. Other concentrations may result in different ratings. 

Ease of dispersion The ease of dispersion is determined following DIN EN 13900-2 in 

PVC-p, some pigments are tested in PE. The pigment is dispersed 

on a roll mill at 160 °C (320 °F). A part of the sheeted-out compound 

is allowed to cool to room temperature and then milled at 

130 °C (266 °F) again. The ease of dispersion is calculated from the 

increase of the relative color strength. The lower the value, the 

easier the pigment is to disperse. 

Bulk volume The bulk volume indicates the weight in grams of 1 cm³ of untamped 

material, determined according to DIN ISO 171. 

Density The density is determined according to DIN EN ISO 787-10 on a 

pyknometer. 

Suitability Please see the relevant tables for information on certain plastics. 

Suitability for 

food-contact applications 

Germany Recommendation IX of the Bundesinstitut 

für Risikobewertungen (Federal 

Institute for Risk Assessments, BfR, 

formerly BgVV), Colorants for the 

coloration of plastics and other poly- 

mers for materials and articles 

France Brochure No. 1227, French positive 

list


USA FDA, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, 

§ 178.3297, Colorants for polymers 

More information on application in food-contact articles and toys is 

available from our Technical Information bulletin Directives and 

regulations on the use of colorants in food-contact applications and 

toys and the data sheets on product safety for the individual 

products.


Heliogen ® pigments 

Range chemical nature 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Properties 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

Heliogen ® 

approved 

not approved 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Blue K 6850 Cu phthalocyanine, alpha unstable Pigment Blue 15 74 160 

Blue K 6902 Cu phthalocyanine, alpha stable Pigment Blue 15:1 74 160 

Blue K 6907 Cu phthalocyanine, alpha stable Pigment Blue 15:1 74 160 

Blue K 6911 D Cu phthalocyanine, alpha stable Pigment Blue 15:1 74 160 

Blue K 6911 FP Cu phthalocyanine, alpha stable Pigment Blue 15:1 74 160 

Blue K 7090 Cu phthalocyanine, beta Pigment Blue 15:3 74 160 

Blue K 7090 FP Cu phthalocyanine, beta Pigment Blue 15:3 74 160 

Blue K 7104 LW Cu phthalocyanine, beta Pigment Blue 15:4 74 160 

Green K 8730 Cu phthalocyanine Pigment Green 7 74 260 

Green K 8730 FP Cu phthalocyanine Pigment Green 7 74 260 

Green K 9360 Cu phthalocyanine Pigment Green 36 74 265 

heat 

resistance 1 

migration 

light 

suitability for 

fastness 

PE-HD 

full reduc full reduc 

shade tion shade tion 

0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 

food-contact 

applications 

g/cm³ g/cm³ D F USA 

ease of 

dispersion 

Blue K 6850 200 200 8 8 5 < 10 1.6 0.40 

Blue K 6902 300 300 8 8 5 15 1.6 0.32 

Blue K 6907 300 300 8 8 5 < 10 1.6 0.32 

Blue K 6911 D 300 300 8 8 5 < 10 1.6 0.33 

Blue K 6911 FP 300 300 8 8 5 < 10 1.6 0.33 

Blue K 7090 280 280 8 8 5 < 10 1.6 0.20 

Blue K 7090 FP 280 280 8 8 5 < 10 1.6 0.20 

Blue K 7104 LW 300 300 8 8 5 < 10 1.6 0.20 

Green K 8730 320 300 8 8 5 < 10 2.1 0.30 

Green K 8730 FP 320 300 8 8 5 < 10 2.1 0.30 

Green K 9360 300 320 8 8 5 < 10 2.1 0.40 

1 Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion: 200 °C = 392 °F, 280 °C = 536 °F, 300 °C = 592 °F, 320 °C = 608 °F 

density 

bulk density


Suitability 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Heliogen ® Blue K 6850 



Heliogen ® Blue K 6911 D 

Heliogen ® Blue K 6911 FP 


Heliogen ® Blue K 7090 FP 

Heliogen ® Blue K 7104 LW 

Heliogen ® Green K 8730 

Heliogen ® Green K 8730 FP 

Heliogen ® Green K 9360 

suitable 

limited suitability, preliminary tests required 

not suitable 

PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

SAN 

Their well-known good fastness properties make Heliogen ® 

pigments 

suitable for nearly all plastics and processing techniques. 

Coloristically, both the highly transparent hues and the shades 

achieved by combination with titanium dioxide or inorganic chromatic 

pigments are of great interest. In both cases, the fastnesses to 

weathering and light are outstanding. Even reductions with a high 

proportion or titanium dioxide still yield good fastness ratings. 

Heliogen ® 

pigments are stable to migration in all plastics, even in 

plasticized systems, at very low pigment concentration. 

Phthalocyanine green pigments may cause PE-HD to become brittle 

when extensively weathered outdoors. Therefore, preliminary 

suitability tests are necessary. 

The outstanding resistance to chemicals and the excellent thermal 

stability of Heliogen ® 

pigments open up a wide range of applications 

in the blue and green ranges, allowing application even in 

engineering plastics. 

In terms of hue, purity of shade and color strength combined, 

Heliogen ® Blue K 6907 is technically superior to all known alphamodified 

phthalocyanine blue pigments. 

Phthalocyanine pigments may cause warping in large injectionmolded 

PE-HD parts. An exception is Heliogen ® Blue K 7104 LW 

(LW = low warping) which practically shows no warping effect. For 

more information on this product, please refer to the brochure 

Heliogen ® 

Blue K 7104 LW – No warping, stable dimensions!. 

ABS/ASA 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Heliogen ® Blue K 6911 FP, Heliogen ® Blue K 7090 FP and Heliogen ® 

Green K 8730 FP are offered with a certified filter pressure value. For 

Heliogen ® Blue K 7090 FP and Heliogen ® Green K 8730 FP, the filter 

pressure value is guaranteed to be ≤ 1 bar/g, for Heliogen ® 

Blue 

K 6911 FP to be ≤ 2 bar/g. Thus these grades are particularly suited 

for the spin-dyeing of fibers. For more information, please refer to the 

brochure Color your fibers with warranty! – FP pigments with certified 

filter pressure value.


Lithol ® pigments 


Lithol ® 

Lithol ® 

Properties 

Lithol ® 

Lithol ® 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Red K 3690 Naphthol red, Sr lake Pigment Red 53:3 15 585:3 

Scarlet K 4165 BON red 2B, Sr lake Pigment Red 48:3 15 865:3 

heat 

resistance 2 

migration 

light 


fastness 

PE-HD 



0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 

food-contact 

applications 


ease of 

dispersion 

Red K 3690 240 240 4 2 4–5 < 10 1.7 0.33 

Scarlet K 4165 240 260 6 4 4–5 < 10 1.8 0.15 

approved 

no FDA approval, use only if “non-migration” can be demonstrated 

not approved 

Suitability 

Lithol ® 

Lithol ® 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Red K 3690 

Scarlet K 4165 

suitable 


not suitable 

PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

Lithol ® pigments have outstanding fastness levels considering the 

price level. Typical fields of application are: 

films, particularly from PE-LD and PVC 

PVC cable sheathing and 

blow moldings, toys and simple injection moldings made from 

olefinic plastics 

They are not suitable for processing at higher temperatures or for 

the coloration of plastics for outdoor use when excellent fastness 

to light and weathering are required. 

In the applications mentioned, full-shade colorations yield good 

fastness ratings. Fastness levels are not as high in reductions with 

titanium dioxide. Particularly the fastness to light decreases as the 

titanium dioxide proportion increases. 


SAN 

density 

ABS/ASA 

bulk density 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


In principle, the fastness to migration of this pigment class is good. 

However, depending on the system used (e. g., PVC blends), migration 

cannot be ruled out. In critical applications like food packaging, 

preliminary trials should always be carried out. 

Lithol ® Scarlet K 4165 may adversely affect the heat resistance 

when alkalis are present.


Paliogen ® pigments 


Paliogen ® 

Paliogen ® 

Paliogen ® 

Paliogen ® 

Properties 

Paliogen ® 

Paliogen ® 

Paliogen ® 

Paliogen ® 

approved 

not approved 

Suitability 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Red K 3580 perylene Pigment Red 149 71 137 

Red K 3911 HD perylene Pigment Red 178 71 155 

Red K 4180 perylene Pigment Red 179 71 130 

Red Violet K 5011 perylene Pigment Violet 29 71 129 

heat 

resistance 3 

migration 

light 


fastness 

PE-HD 



0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 

food-contact 

applications 


ease of 

dispersion 

Red K 3580 260 280 8 7 4–5 < 10 1.4 0.23 

Red K 3911 HD 300 300 8 7 4–5 < 10 1.6 0.22 

Red K 4180 300 300 8 8 4–5 15 1.5 0.36 

Red Violet K 5011 320 320 8 8 5 20 1.6 0.23 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Paliogen ® 

Red K 3580 

Paliogen ® Red K 3911 HD 

Paliogen ® Red K 4180 

Paliogen ® Red Violet K 5011 

suitable 


Paliogen ® 

PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

SAN 

Red K 3580 and Paliogen ® 

Red K 3911 HD are top-quality 

products suitable for nearly all applications. They generally meet 

all demands in coloring engineering plastics. 

Paliogen ® Red K 3580 yields yellowish, transparent red shades with 

outstanding fastness ratings and is, among others, of interest in PP 

and PA spin-dyeing. 

Paliogen ® Red K 3911 HD is mostly used in near-full shades when 

good brilliance, good hiding power and very good fastnesses to 

light and weathering are required. Typical applications are bottle 

crates, automotive parts and brilliant red shades in ABS. 


density 

ABS/ASA 

bulk density 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Paliogen ® Red K 4180 meets the highest demands of fastnesses to 

weathering and light. It is has both very good color strength and 

hiding power and can thus be used in combination with transparent 

and opaque pigments. In polyolefins, it is particularly stable to 

heat even in low concentrations. Paliogen ® Red K 4180 is widely 

used in spin-dyeing of PP and PA. 

Paliogen ® Red Violet K 5011 is a perylene distinguishing itself by its 

high color strength and high transparency. Fastness ratings are 

very good even in low concentrations. This makes it an extremely 

versatile pigment: it can be used in PVC for blending with inorganic 

pigments as well as in vivid shades in injection and blow molding 

as well as in PP and PA fibers both in full shade and as a shading 

pigment.


Paliotol ® pigments 


Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Properties 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Paliotol ® 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Yellow K 0961 HD quinophthalone Pigment Yellow 138 56 300 

Yellow K 1090 quinophthalone Pigment Yellow 138 56 300 

Yellow K 1700 azo, Na/Ca lake Pigment Yellow 183 4 

18 792 1 

Yellow K 1841 isoindoline Pigment Yellow 139 56 298 

Yellow K 1841 FP isoindoline Pigment Yellow 139 56 298 

Yellow K 2142 H isoindoline Pigment Yellow 139 56 298 

Yellow K 2270 azo, Ca lake Pigment Yellow 183 18 792 

heat 

resistance 5 

migration 

light 


fastness 

PE-HD 



0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 1:10 0.2 % 

food-contact 

applications 


ease of 

dispersion 

Yellow K 0961 HD 280 270 8 7 4–5 < 10 1.8 0.4 

Yellow K 1090 280 260 8 6 5 < 10 1.8 0.3 

Yellow K 1700 300 280 7 3 5 < 10 1.7 0.1 

Yellow K 1841 240 240 8 7 4–5 < 10 1.6 0.3 

Yellow K 1841 FP 240 240 8 7 4–5 < 10 1.6 0.3 

Yellow K 2142 H 240 260 8 7 5 < 10 1.7 0.3 

Yellow K 2270 290 300 8 5 5 < 10 1.8 0.4 

approved 

not approved 

Suitability 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 0961 HD 

Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 1090 

Paliotol ® 


Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841 

Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841 FP 

Paliotol ® Yellow K 2142 H 

Paliotol ® Yellow K 2270 

suitable 


not suitable 

4 similar 


PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

SAN 

density 

ABS/ASA 

bulk density 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Paliotol ® pigments are organic pigments with outstanding fastness 

ratings in a variety of plastics. 

Paliotol ® Yellow K 0961 HD must be tested for suitability and resistance 

to both heat and chemicals when used in engineering 

plastics. 

Paliotol ® Yellow K 1700 and Paliotol ® Yellow K 2270 are very resistant 

to heat and chemicals. They are mainly used for the coloration 

of PP and engineering plastics like ABS. 

Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841, Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841 FP and Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 2142 H, based on isoindoline, are mainly used in all technologies 

of polyolefin (PE-LD, PE-HD, PP) coloration. They are also 

well suitable for application in PVC-p and PVC-u. 

Their chemical structure makes Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841, Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 1841 FP and Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 2142 H sensitive to alkalis 

(Ca and Zn stearates in PE-HD and PP). Good fastness to light and 

a relatively good heat resistance make them suitable for, in particular, 

the coloration of polyolefin films, tapes and fibers. 

Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 1841 FP is offered with a certified filter pressure 

value. The filter pressure value is guaranteed to be ≤ 1 bar/g. Thus 

this grade is particularly suited for the spin-dyeing of PP fibers. For 

more information, please refer to the brochure Color your fibers with 

warranty! – FP pigments with certified filter pressure value. 

Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 2142 H is an opaque and very reddish variant of 

Pigment Yellow 139 (isoindoline) and extends the Paliotol ® 

yellows 

into orange. Compared with Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841 or Paliotol ® 

Yellow K 1841 FP, it has coarser particles and thus is more reddish 

and weaker, but has superior fastness properties (fastness to light, 

heat stability). Its hiding power and color strength are distinctly 

better than that of isoindolinone pigments, making it a cost-effective 

alternative for the application in polyolefin films and injection 

molding as well as in PVC. 

All products from the isoindoline range (Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841, 

Paliotol ® Yellow K 1841 FP and Paliotol ® Yellow K 2142 H) are lowwarping 

in PE-HD and can be used in the respective applications.


Sicomin ® pigments 


Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Properties 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

Sicomin ® 

not approved 

Suitability 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Yellow K 1625 lead chromate Pigment Yellow 34 77 603 

Yellow K 1630 S lead chromate Pigment Yellow 34 77 603 



Red K 3023 lead chromate/lead molybdate Pigment Red 104 77 605 

Red K 3030 S lead chromate/lead molybdate Pigment Red 104 77 605 

Red K 3130 S lead chromate/lead molybdate Pigment Red 104 77 605 

heat 

resistance 6 

migration 

light 


fastness 

PE-HD 



1.0% 1:4 1.0% 1:4 0.4 % 

food-contact 

applications 


ease of 

dispersion 

Yellow K 1625 250 280 8 8 5 < 10 5.5 0.6 

Yellow K 1630 S 250 280 8 8 5 < 10 5.3 0.6 

Yellow K 1922 220 220 7 8 5 < 10 5.6 0.7 

Yellow K 1925 240 260 8 8 5 < 10 5.8 0.7 

Red K 3023 260 280 8 8 5 < 10 6.0 0.9 

Red K 3030 S 260 280 8 8 5 < 10 6.0 0.9 

Red K 3130 S 260 280 8 8 5 < 10 5.7 1.1 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Sicomin ® 


Sicomin ® 

Yellow K 1630 S 

Sicomin ® 


Sicomin ® 


Sicomin ® Red K 3023 

Sicomin ® Red K 3030 S 

Sicomin ® Red K 3130 S 

suitable 


not suitable 


PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

SAN 

density 

ABS/ASA 

bulk density 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Sicomin ® pigments are solid solutions of lead chromate/lead sulfate 

(yellow) or lead chromate/lead molybdate/lead sulfate (red) with very 

good to outstanding fastness ratings. Grades suffixed by an “S“ are 

resistant to sulfur dioxide. 

They are particularly suitable the coloration of PVC for a variety of 

applications such as calendar films, floor coverings, profiles, tubings, 

sheets and cable sheathings. Their advantage is a low pigmentation 

cost. 

For the coloration of PE and PS, Sicomin ® pigments are resistant to 

temperatures of 240C/464F or 260C/500F. 

Sicomin ® pigments are lead-chromate pigments subject to hazard 

labeling and in almost all countries, their use is limited. Please refer 

to the Data sheet on product safety and the material safety data 

sheet of the relevant pigment.


Sicopal ® pigments 


Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Properties 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Sicopal ® 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Black 0090 Fe/Cr/Co oxide Pigment Black 27 77 502 

Yellow K 1120 FG bismuth vanadate Pigment Yellow 184 77 1740 

Yellow K 1160 FG bismuth vanadate Pigment Yellow 184 77 1740 

Brown K 2595 Zn/Fe oxide Pigment Yellow 119 77 496 

Brown K 2795 Fe/Cr oxide Pigment Brown 29 77 500 

Blue K 6210 Co/Al oxide Pigment Blue 28 77 346 

Blue K 6310 Co/Al oxide Pigment Blue 28 77 346 

Blue K 6710 Co/Al/Cr oxide Pigment Blue 36 77 343 

Blue K 7210 Co/Al/Cr oxide Pigment Blue 36 77 343 

Green K 9610 Co/Ti/Ni/Zn oxide Pigment Green 50 77 377 

Green K 9710 Co/Ti/Ni/Zn oxide Pigment Green 50 77 377 

heat 

resistance 7 

migration 

light 


fastness 

PE-HD 



1.0% 1:4 1.0% 1:4 0.4 % 

food-contact 

applications 


ease of 

dispersion 

Black 0090 300 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.9 1.0 

Yellow K 1120 FG 250 270 8 8 5 < 10 4.1 0.8 

Yellow K 1160 FG 270 290 8 8 5 < 10 4.1 0.8 

Brown K 2595 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 5.3 0.7 

Brown K 2795 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 5.2 0.5 

Blue K 6210 300 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.0 0.5 

Blue K 6310 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.4 

Blue K 6710 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.6 

Blue K 7210 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.5 

Green K 9610 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.9 0.9 

Green K 9710 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.8 0.7 

approved 


not approved 


density 

bulk density


Suitability 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Sicopal ® Black 0090 

Sicopal ® Yellow K 1120 FG 

Sicopal ® Yellow K 1160 FG 

Sicopal ® Brown K 2595 

Sicopal ® Brown K 2795 

Sicopal ® Blue K 6210 




Sicopal ® Green K 9610 

Sicopal ® Green K 9710 

suitable 


PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

With the exception of the bismuth vanadate pigments Sicopal ® 

Yellow K 1120 FG and Sicopal ® 

Yellow K 1160 FG, Sicopal ® 

pigments 

are spinel-structured metal oxides. Their very good heat resistance 

makes them suitable for the coloration of nearly all 

plastics. 

Sicopal ® 

pigments cause no warpage in injection-molded or extruded 

parts – not even large ones. This and their outstanding fastness 

to weathering make them perfectly suitable for bottle crates. 

Sicopal ® 

SAN 

Yellow K 1120 FG is a low-dusting fine granule bismuth 

vanadate pigment with excellent color strength and heat resistance. 

Sicopal ® 

Yellow K 1160 FG is not only suitable for polyolefins 

and ABS (thermo stability of 270–290 °C [518–544 °F]) but for 

PA injection molding as well (280–300 °C [536–572 °F]). Their outstanding 

fastness to weathering make them particularly suitable for 

outdoor applications (bottle crates, garden furniture, garbage cans) 

as a substitute to lead- or cadmium-based pigments. 

Sicopal ® Brown K 2595 and Sicopal ® Brown K 2795 are outstandingly 

fast to weathering in outdoor applications when stabilized 

suitably (dibasic lead phosphite). Both a balanced recipe and easy 

processing are essential. Due to the many established PVC stabilization 

systems based on calcium/zinc or certain tin compounds, 

we recommend suitability tests under customer-specific processing 

parameters. 

ABS/ASA 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Sicotan ® pigments 


Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Properties 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Sicotan ® 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Yellow K 1010 Ni/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Yellow 53 77 788 

Yellow K 1010 FG Ni/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Yellow 53 77 788 

Yellow K 1011 Ni/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Yellow 53 77 788 

Yellow K 1011 FG Ni/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Yellow 53 77 788 

Yellow K 2001 Cr/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Brown 24 77 310 

Yellow K 2001 FG Cr/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Brown 24 77 310 







Brown K 2611 Mn/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Yellow 164 77 899 

Brown K 2711 Mn/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Yellow 164 77 899 

Brown K 2750 FG Mn/Sb/Ti oxide Pigment Yellow 164 77 899 

heat 

resistance 8 

migration 

light 


fastness 

PE-HD 



1.0% 1:4 1.0% 1:4 0.4 % 

food-contact 

applications 


ease of 

dispersion 

Yellow K 1010 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.9 

Yellow K 1010 FG 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.9 

Yellow K 1011 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.4 0.8 

Yellow K 1011 FG 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.4 0.8 

Yellow K 2001 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.6 

Yellow K 2001 FG 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.6 

Yellow K 2011 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.7 

Yellow K 2011 FG 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.5 0.7 

Yellow K 2111 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.4 0.8 

Yellow K 2111 FG 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.4 0.8 

Yellow K 2112 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.4 0.9 

Yellow K 2112 FG 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.4 0.9 

Brown K 2611 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.3 0.9 

Brown K 2711 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.8 0.9 

Brown K 2750 FG 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 4.8 0.9 

approved 


not approved 


density 

bulk density


Suitability 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Sicotan ® Yellow K 1010 

Sicotan ® Yellow K 1010 FG 











Sicotan ® 

Brown K 2611 

Sicotan ® 

Brown K 2711 

Sicotan ® 

Brown K 2750 FG 

suitable 

PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

Their outstanding fastness ratings make Sicotan ® 

pigments ideally 

suitable for plastics resistant to both weathering and heat, in particular 

for beige and brown shades as well as for shading. 

SAN 

ABS/ASA 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Sicotrans ® pigments 


Sicotrans ® 

Sicotrans ® 

Properties 

Sicotrans ® 

Sicotrans ® 

approved 

Suitability 

Sicotrans ® 

Sicotrans ® 

suitable 

not suitable 

Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Red K 2819 iron[III] oxide Pigment Red 101 77 491 

Red K 2915 iron[III] oxide Pigment Red 101 77 491 

heat 

resistance 9 

migration 

light 


fastness 

PE-HD 



1.0% 1:4 1.0% 1:4 0.4 % 

food-contact 

applications 


ease of 

dispersion 

Red K 2819 300 300 8 8 5 < 10 4.4 0.3 

Red K 2915 320 320 8 8 5 < 10 5.1 0.5 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

PE-HD 

Red K 2819 

Red K 2915 

PP 

PS 

SB 

Sicotrans ® Red K 2819 and Sicotrans ® Red K 2915 are iron oxides 

with an extremely small particle size. 

Sicotrans ® Red K 2819 yields highly transparent colorations with 

UV-absorbing properties. Sicotrans ® Red K 2915 allows semitransparent 

full-shade colorations with high chroma to be 

achieved. 

SAN 

density 

ABS/ASA 

bulk density 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

The iron content may cause catalytic degradation in PVC. 


PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Lumogen ® F dyes 


Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Properties 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

F Yellow 083 perylene 

F Yellow 170 perylene 

F Orange 240 perylene 

F Pink 285 perylene 

F Red 305 perylene 

F Violet 570 naphthalimide 

F Blue 650 naphthalimide 

suitability for food- 

yield 

contact 

applications 

PC 0.02 % λ in CH Cl max. 2 2 quantum 

g/cm³ g/cm³ °C nm nm % D F USA 

density 

bulk density 

heat 

resistance 10 

light 

fastness 

F Yellow 083 1,3 0.25 300 8 476 490 > 85 

F Yellow 170 1,3 0,10 300 8 505 528 > 90 

F Orange 240 1,4 0.20 300 8 524 539 > 90 

F Pink 285 1,3 0.20 300 8 547 580 > 78 

F Red 305 1,4 0.22 300 8 578 613 > 90 

F Violet 570 1,3 0.22 300 5 378 413 > 85 

F Blue 650 1,3 0.22 300 7 377 411 > 80 

approved 


not approved 

Solubility 

acetone 

benzyl alcohol 

butyl acetate 100 % 

Lumogen ® F Yellow 083 0.5 1.0 0.2 3.0 < 0.1 0.2 < 0.1 1.0 < 0.5 < 0.1 < 1.0 0.5 

Lumogen ® F Orange 240 2.0 3.0 < 0.5 15.0 < 1.0 < 0.5 < 0.5 2.0 2.0 < 0.5 < 2.0 < 1.0 

Lumogen ® F Red 305 10.0 30.0 30.0 70.0 < 1.0 20.0 < 1.0 5.0 10.0 < 1.0 80.0 30.0 

Lumogen ® F Violet 570 5.0 30.0 5.0 7.0 < 1.0 1.0 < 0.5 3.0 4.0 < 0.5 10.0 15.0 

Lumogen ® F Blue 650 6.0 30.0 5.0 8.0 < 1.0 1.0 < 0.5 4.0 5.0 < 0.5 12.0 18.0 

10 Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion: 300 °C = 572 °F 

dimethyl formamide 

ethanol 99.5 % 

absorption 

ethyl acetate 

emission 

isopropanol 

methyl methacrylate 

Solvenon ® PM 

white spirit 

toluene 

xylene


Suitability 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Lumogen ® F Yellow 083 

Lumogen ® F Yellow 170 

Lumogen ® F Orange 240 

Lumogen ® G Pink 285 

Lumogen ® F Red 305 

Lumogen ® F Violet 570 

Lumogen ® F Blue 650 

suitable 


not suitable 

PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

SAN 

The Lumogen ® 

F range comprises high-purity fluorescent dyes of 

polycyclic nature. They show a very brilliant fluorescence and have 

outstanding fastness properties. 

Fastness to weathering Specimen: injection-molded PMMA plaques, 2 mm thick, colored 

with 0.02 % dye; test condition and criteria: Xenotest ®11 

1200 accelerated 

weathering according to DIN EN ISO 4892-2; remaining 

fluorescence (%) after 2,000 hours of exposure 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

Lumogen ® 

ABS/ASA 

ABS 

PMMA 

PC 

PBT 

PA 

F Yellow 083 > 90 

F Orange 240 > 85 

F Red 305 > 95 

F Violet 570 > 80 after 1,500 hours 

F Blue 650 > 80 after 1,500 hours 

The best-suited carrier material for Lumogen ® 

F dyes is PMMA if 

outdoor application is intended. Foreign substances contained in 

PMMA may decrease the fastness to weathering. 

Sheets made by casting from monomeric MMA usually contain 

small proportions of monomer and reaction initiator. In tests such 

material has shown to impair the resistance of weathering. When 

casting sheets, the temperature during curing must be checked 

carefully to fully avoid residues of monomers. This problem will not 

arise when PMMA thermo-forming material is used. 

In outdoor weathering, a decrease of fluorescence during summer 

has shown to recuperate to almost its original level during the 

darker winter season. 

11 registered trademark of Xenotest Gesellschaft für die Herstellung von Materialprüfgeräten mbH 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Application 

The ability of fluorescent dyes to emit absorbed light at different 

wavelengths can be used to collect light. The fluorescent collector 

consists of a crystal-clear plastic sheet colored with a fluorescent 

dye. Within the sheet, total reflectance will divert fluorescent radiation 

to the borders of the sheet, from where the largest share is focused 

and emitted. Unlike systems of mirrors and lenses, the 

fluorescent collector will also concentrate diffused, undirected light. 

Use of the fluorescent collector is manifold: 

solar energy 

photo voltaics – by mounting solar cells to the edges of the collector, 

sufficient energy to operate small devices like watches, pocket 

computers, electrical displays, radios, recharging devices etc. can 

be produced. 

light engineering 

indirect illumination, fluorescence conversion, markings and warning 

devices, e. g., for road traffic (these are particularly effective in 

bad weather and at dawn), safety clothing, optical fibers for technical 

appliances 

advertising/design 

information signs, sports and leisure articles, toys, substitutes for 

luminescent tubes 

For these applications, fluorescent dyes must meet very high 

requirements: 

excellent fastness properties in certain polymers 

high luminance 

extremely high chroma 

good solubility in plastics 

high heat stability 

Lumogen ® 

F dyes meet these requirements to a great extent and 

conform to the specifications of the fluorescent collector. 

Lumogen ® F dyes can be used with all crystal-clear polymers. 

Migration or bleeding must be expected with polymers containing 

butadiene or plasticizers or in semi-crystalline polymers. Pre-trials 

are strongly recommended for these applications. 

Processing The dyestuff powder is distributed among the polymer powder, grit 

or granules in slow or quick mixers. Generally, the dyestuff powder 

will adhere to the polymer by electrostatic charge. Prior to further 

processing the mixture should be homogenized on an extruder. 

Dosage The concentration of dyestuff required depends on the thickness of 

the part to be colored. Normally, very low dosages of between 

0.005 % and 0.02 % will suffice.


Thermoplast dyes 


Colour Index 

part 1 part 2 

Thermoplast Black X 70 blend – – 

Thermoplast F Yellow 084 perylene Solvent Green 5 59 075 

Thermoplast Yellow 104 pyrazolone Solvent Yellow 93 48 160 

Thermoplast Red 454 monoazo Solvent Red 195 – 

Thermoplast Blue 670 anthraquinone Solvent Blue 35 61 554 

Thermoplast Blue 684 anthraquinone Solvent Violet 13 60 725 

Properties 

density bulk suitability for 

density food-contact applications 


Thermoplast Black X 70 1.4 0.30 

Thermoplast F Yellow 084 1.3 0.42 

Thermoplast Yellow 104 1.3 0.50 

Thermoplast Red 454 1.3 0.16 

Thermoplast Blue 670 1.1 0.30 

Thermoplast Blue 684 1.4 0.35 

approved 


not approved 

heat resistance 12 at 1/3 SDS 13 

at 2 % TiO 2 

PS SAN PMMA PC ABS ASA SB 

Thermoplast Black X 70 300 240 280 320 230 220 260 

Thermoplast F Yellow 084 260 300 300 310 300 300 300 

Thermoplast Yellow 104 300 240 280 300 240 240 260 

Thermoplast Red 454 280 280 300 300 260 260 280 

Thermoplast Blue 670 280 280 300 300 260 240 260 

Thermoplast Blue 684 300 300 300 340 270 280 300 

fastness to light at 1/3 SDS 15 

PS SAN PMMA PC ABS ASA SB PVC-u 

Thermoplast Black X 70 5 5–6 6 6 4–5 4–5 3–4 7 

Thermoplast F Yellow 084 3 3 4 3–4 4 3 4 4d 

Thermoplast Yellow 104 8 8 7 8 6 6–7 7 7–8 

Thermoplast Red 454 7 7 7 7 5–6 5–6 7 6 

Thermoplast Blue 670 7 7 7 7 6 6 7 8 

Thermoplast Blue 684 5 5 6 6–7 4–5 5–6 5 6–7 

12 Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion: 220 °C = 428 °F, 230 °C = 446 °F, 240 °C = 464 °F, 260 °C = 500 °F, 270 °C = 518 °F, 

280 °C = 536 °F, 300 °C = 572 °F, 310 °C = 590 °F, 320 °C = 608 °F, 340 °C = 644 °F 

13 opaque coloration at 1/3 standard depth of shade


Fastness to weathering at 1/3 SDS 15 PS SAN PMMA PC ABS ASA SB PVC-u 

Thermoplast Black X 70 3 3–4 4 3–4 2–3 3–4 3 2 

Thermoplast F Yellow 084 1–2 1–2 1–2 1 2 2 2 2d 

Thermoplast Yellow 104 4–5 4 5 5 3 4 4 4–5 

Thermoplast Red 454 4–5 4–5 4–5 3 2 2–3 4 5 

Thermoplast Blue 670 4–5 4–5 4–5 3 2 2–3 4 5 

Thermoplast Blue 684 3 3–4 4 3–4 3 3–4 3 4 

d = darkens when exposed to light 

Suitability 

PVC-p 

PVC-u 

PUR 

PE-LD 

Thermoplast Black X 70 

Thermoplast F Yellow 084 

Thermoplast Yellow 104 

Thermoplast Red 454 

Thermoplast Blue 670 

Thermoplast Blue 684 

suitable 


not suitable 

PE-HD 

PP 

PS 

SB 

SAN 

The essential characteristic in terms of application for all Thermoplast 

dyes is their solubility in almost all amorphous polymers and 

polymer melts. 

The dyes distinguish themselves by high color strength and subsequent 

efficiency. They result in pure vivid shades. They can be 

mixed freely with one another or with organic or inorganic pigments. 

Each and every desired hue may be attained. For opaque 

colorations a scattering white or chromatic pigment is added. 

Application Sometimes, the shade of a coloration is influenced by the opacity 

or the inherent color of a polymer. A shade in standard polystyrene 

may be different from that in polycarbonate. Important factors are 

the solubility characteristics of the dye and any chemical interactions 

between the dye and the polymer. 

The solvatochromy (solubilized chromatic substances display different 

color hues in media of different polarity) plays an important role. 

To ensure optimum fluorescence when transparent plastics are colored 

with Thermoplast F Yellow 084, attention must be paid to the 

concentration of the dye and the thickness of the finished article. 

Maximum fluorescence is attained at a concentration of approx. 

0.01 % Thermoplast F Yellow 084 in specimens of 2 mm thickness 

and at approx. 0.05 % in 0.2 mm specimens. Excessive amounts of 

dye quench the fluorescence. 

ABS/ASA 

ABS 

PMMA 

PC 

PA 

PETP 

CA/CAB 

UP


Thermoplastics based on cellulose, such as cellulose acetate (CA) 

and cellulose acetobutyrate (CAB), can also be colored with soluble 

dyes. However, the fastness to migration of the intended coloration 

should first be tested. 

Dyes are not recommended for coloring polyethylene, polypropylene 

and especially PVC that contains plasticizer, because in these 

cases migration can be expected to occur. These plastics are colored 

almost exclusively with pigments. 

Note that dyes can alter the curing time of colored thermoset plastics 

such as unsaturated polyesters (UP). 

Coloration is carried out in two steps: 

The dry dyestuff powder is evenly distributed on the plastic 

powder, grit or granules in slow or quick mixers. Generally, 

the dyestuff will adhere to the plastic’s surface by 

electrostatic charging. 

When mixing relatively large proportions of dyestuff with 

plastic pellets, it may be necessary to prewet the pellets with 

an adhesion agent (low-viscous, neutral media such as 

Adhesion Agent W 1700). The proportion required must be 

determined empirically, adding 0.1 % to 0.3 % relative to the 

polymer are usually sufficient. 

Better distribution of the dye is achieved by first producing a 

“concentrate” which is then brought to the desired 

concentration in the same mixing vessel: 

fill about ¼ of the vessel with the polymer 

add the adhesion agent 

add the dyestuff 

mix 

add remaining polymer 

mix 

Preferably, the mixing vessel should be of uncoated metal to avoid 

undesired electrostatic charging of the vessel wall. 

Adhesion Agent W 1700 will avoid electrostatic charging so mixing 

can be done in PE-HD drums to prevent metal abrasion.


Safety 

When handling these products, advice and information given in the 

safety data sheet must be complied with. Further, protective and 

workplace hygiene measures adequate for handling chemicals 

must be observed. 

Note 

The data contained in this publication are based on our current 

knowledge and experience. In view of the many factors that may 

affect processing and application of our product, these data do not 

relieve processors from carrying out their own investigations and 

tests; neither do these data imply any guarantee of certain properties, 

nor the suitability of the product for a specific purpose. Any 

descriptions, drawings, photographs, data, proportions, weights, 

etc. given herein may change without prior information and do not 

constitute the agreed contractual quality of the product. It is the 

responsibility of the recipient of our products to ensure that any 

proprietary rights and existing laws and legislation are observed. 

BASF Aktiengesellschaft 

Performance Chemicals for 

Coatings, Plastics and Specialties 

67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany 

www.basf.com/pigments 

www.basf.com/resins 

www.basf.com/lightstableizers

Colorants

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