DayGlo pigments for Plastics: GloPrill® — A New Generation of High-Performance Fluorescent Colourants

Bright colour. Cleaner processing. Higher productivity.

DayGlo pigments, also known as fluorescent colourants, have long been used to produce exceptionally bright, high-impact colours in plastics. However, conventional fluorescent pigment technologies have presented significant challenges for master-batch manufacturers and plastics processors, particularly plate-out, feeding difficulties, limited pigment loading and reduced productivity.

GloPrill®, developed by DayGlo Color Corp., USA, represents a third generation of fluorescent colourant technology designed specifically for the master-batch industry and offers a new approach to high-performance DayGlo pigments for plastics.

The Challenge with Conventional Dayglow pigments

Traditional DayGlo pigments are produced by incorporating fluorescent dyes into synthetic resin systems and subsequently pulverising the resin into pigment particles. While this approach can produce extremely bright fluorescent effects, the characteristics of the resin carrier have a major influence on processing performance.

The first generation of fluorescent plastics pigments was based on thermoplastic polyamide resins. Although these materials offered excellent brightness and heat stability, they suffered from severe plate-out.

Plate-out occurs when unreacted fluorescent dyes, resin and additives accumulate on injection screws, barrels and mould surfaces. The resulting deposits require frequent and difficult cleaning, leading to machine downtime, production losses and additional operating costs.

Attempts to control plate-out through the addition of fumed silica provided only partial improvement. While plate-out could be reduced by up to approximately 50%, the addition of silica also reduced bulk density, created feeding problems, increased costs and adversely affected flow and production output.

A second-generation ester-amide copolymer technology subsequently reduced plate-out, but did not eliminate it completely. Other issues remained, including interactions between fluorescent dyes and metal ions in polymer systems, which could result in dirty or compromised shades. Pigment loading was also generally limited to around 35%, restricting its effectiveness in thin-film applications.

GloPrill® — Third-Generation DayGlo Pigment Technology

GloPrill® was developed to address these limitations through a proprietary third-generation technology.

Unlike conventional fluorescent pigments supplied as powders, GloPrill® is supplied in prill/granule form. This provides important advantages during handling, dosing and processing. There is virtually no material loss during dosing into master-batches, while the granular form also helps maintain a cleaner production environment without hazardous chemical dust.

The technology is designed to virtually eliminate plate-out, allowing easier cleaning and faster colour changes. Reduced machine downtime can translate directly into improved production efficiency and profitability.

Designed for High-Speed Processing

GloPrill® offers superior flow properties that enable high-speed continuous processing. Its inert characteristics also allow it to maintain its bright fluorescent effect during extended moulding operations, without being adversely affected by processing aids containing metal ions.

The material is also completely formaldehyde-free, adding another important advantage for applications where formulation and processing requirements demand the absence of formaldehyde.

High Pigment Loading for Demanding Applications

One of the most significant advantages of GloPrill® is its ability to accommodate more than 75% colour loading.

This makes the technology particularly attractive for thin-film and thin-section applications, where achieving sufficient colour depth with conventional Dayglow pigments and fluorescent master-batches can be difficult.

A notable application is PP textile fibre master-batches. In very fine-denier fibres, conventional fluorescent master-batches may not provide the required colour depth. The high loading capability of GloPrill® makes it particularly suitable for such demanding applications.

Broad Processing Temperature Range

GloPrill® melts readily into the carrier resin at a relatively low temperature of approximately 150°C, while retaining its fluorescent colour brightness at processing temperatures of up to approximately 300°C.

This combination of easy incorporation and high-temperature colour stability provides master-batch manufacturers with greater processing flexibility.

Colour Range and Food-Contact Applications

The GloPrill® range includes seven basic fluorescent colours, together with a Clear grade designed to enhance brightness.

In addition, six FDA-compliant shades are available for food-contact applications.

This range makes GloPrill® suitable for manufacturers looking for DayGlo pigments for plastics across different colour and processing requirements.

A More Efficient Approach to Fluorescent Master-Batches

For master-batch manufacturers, the advantages of GloPrill® extend beyond colour performance. The combination of granular handling, high pigment loading, excellent flow, reduced plate-out and high-temperature stability is intended to address many of the practical limitations associated with conventional DayGlo pigment technologies.

By reducing cleaning requirements and machine downtime while enabling high-speed processing and high colour loading, GloPrill® offers a technology platform focused not only on brighter colours, but also on more efficient production.

GloPrill® — Third-Generation DayGlo pigments for the Modern Master-Batch Industry

GloPrill® represents a third-generation approach to DayGlo pigments for plastics, combining bright fluorescent colour performance with practical processing advantages. Its prill/granule form, high colour loading, flow properties and temperature stability make it a solution designed for the demands of modern fluorescent master-batch production.