D6 uses Chroma Color product in new PCR-content packaging

D6 Inc., a packaging manufacturer headquartered in Portland, Oregon, has collaborated with Chroma Color Corp. to produce postconsumer recycled (PCR) content thermoformed clamshell products. Chroma Color operates six facilities across Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.  

D6 identified minor blemishes, such as a gray tint or black specs, as prevailing issues with how recycled products look on shelves. In late 2021, D6 tasked Chroma Color with providing a solution to the appearance of the finished product that would reduce costs through lower let-down ratios, require a lower amount of inventory on hand for production and reduce overall labor costs, transportation costs and carbon footprint. D6 says it selected Chroma Color for this work because of its decades of experience working with smaller molders.   

RELATED: PET thermoformed container recycling program rewards participants in Texas city 

Chroma Color’s technical team recommended its G3 manufacturing technology. G3 has the highest loadings available from Chroma Color for pigments, dyes and additives in pellet form, and the company says this product allows improved coloration of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, bioplastics and ocean plastics PCR, postindustrial recycled plastic and more. D6 says using this manufacturing technology has allowed it to reduce production and freight costs by one-third, reduce energy and labor costs, use less color concentrate, reduce some warehouse storage needs and lower its overall carbon footprint.   

"D6 appreciated the time and effort of the Chroma Color Sales and Technical team to help us find a better solution for our PCR products," says Edward Dominion, D6 founder and CEO. “We now have a great PCR product to sell to our customers that looks great on the shelf, lowers our cost while offering additional sustainable benefits.” 

D6 has started molding and shipping PCR-content packages.