Yellow Pigments Excel in Cost & performance.

Two new yellow pigments for plastic films and molded packaging boast good performance at lower cost than competing pigments. Both new products from Engelhard Corp., Appearance and Performance Technologies, Iselin, N.J., are suitable for use with polyolefins, PET, PBT, and polycarbonate. Engelhard

Yellow 6226 is a red-shade yellow composed primarily of organic azo pigment and some sodium aluminum inorganic pigment. Said to "act like an inorganic pigment," it can withstand temperatures of over 600 F. FDA approved for food contact, this pigment sells for under $10/lb, which is much lower than most FDA-approved colors. It reportedly can substitute for Pigment Yellow 191, supplied by Clariant Corp.

Engeltone Yellow 1293 is a mid-shade yellow (between red and green shades) that competes with Clariant's PV Fast HG (Pigment Yellow 181). It is a metalized azodicarbonamide organic pigment that is FDA approved for food contact. It boasts high color strength and heat stability up to 650 F. While it does not have the lightfastness of Pigment Yellow 181, it is priced about 50% lower.