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Dry Colorants

Teknor Apex dry colorants are engineered for processors who need consistent color distribution, production-friendly handling, and reliable finished-part appearance. Designed for use with PE, PP, Nylon, PC, PVC, XLPE, and post-consumer recycled resin systems, Teknor dry colorants help support vibrant color, efficient processing, and repeatable production performance.

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Teknor Apex Product Families

What are Dry Colorants?

Dry colorants are free-flowing pigment blends that can be mixed directly with resin powder before processing. They are commonly used in rotational molding and other powder-based applications where flexible color control, consistent color distribution, and efficient material handling are important.

For rotomolding, dry colorants are typically blended with resin powder before the molding cycle. When properly selected and processed, they help support uniform color throughout the part while reducing streaking, uneven coloration, and visible color variation.

Broad Resin Compatibility
Teknor Apex dry colorants are formulated for compatibility across a wide range of polymer systems, supporting consistent performance and color development in diverse applications:

  • Polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Nylon (PA)
  • Polycarbonate (PC)
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • Cross-linked Polyethylene (XLPE)
  • Post-consumer recycled (PCR) resin systems

Dry Color, Masterbatch or Pre-Colored Compounds: Choosing the Right Fit

Teknor Color Format

How Customers May Use It

Strong Fit For

Customer Benefit

Dry Color

Blended directly with resin powder before processing

Rotomolding, powder-based applications, custom colors, frequent color changes

Flexible color control, efficient handling, and strong blend-to-blend consistency

Color Masterbatch / Concentrate

Let down into compatible resin systems; some customers may compound and grind/pulverize for rotomolding use

Pellet-based processing, customers with internal compounding or grinding capability, color concentration workflows

Concentrated color format with broad processing flexibility

Pre-Colored Compounds

Ready-to-process material with color already incorporated

Customers wanting simplified handling, consistent finished material, and reduced in-house color management

Convenience, consistency, and fewer color-handling steps

Teknor Apex helps customers choose the right color format based on resin system, processing method, production workflow, color requirements, and application needs. Dry colorants are often a strong fit for rotomolding and powder-based applications, while masterbatch/concentrates and pre-colored compounds may be better suited for other workflows or customer preferences.

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Dry Colorant Applications

Dry colorants are widely used in rotational molding and other processes where flexible color control and consistent dispersion are required. These applications benefit from uniform color distribution, durable finishes. Dry colorants are compatible with UV-stabilized and flame-retardant resin systems, enabling performance requirements to be achieved through the selected polymer formulalation.

  • Tanks and chemical storage products
  • Industrial containers and bins
  • Agricultural products
  • Outdoor furniture and playground equipment
  • Automotive components
  • Utility products and custom molded industrial parts
Colorful outdoor playground equipment with plastic slides and climbing structures made from durable consumer-grade plastics.

Performance Benefits: Why Use Dry Colorants in Rotational Molding?

  • Consistent color dispersion — Helps achieve uniform color throughout the molded part while reducing streaking, specking, and visible color variation.

  • Reduced visual defects — Helps reduce streaking, uneven coloration, and visible coloration in molded parts.

  • Simple dry blending — Designed for direct mixing with resin powder before molding, supporting efficient color changes and consistent processing in rotomolding applications.

  • Customization flexibility — Standard and custom color solutions designed to support your resin systems, processing method, application requirements, and desired production workflow.

  • Adaptability for additives —  Designed to work with UV-stabilized or flame-retardant resin systems.

  • Optimized for rotational molding — Designed to perform reliably in powder-based processing environments.

Our Portfolio: Standard, Custom, and Unitized Solutions

Teknor Apex offers a wide range of dry colorant solutions to support diverse processing and application needs.

  • Standard Dry Colorants - Ready-to-use color options designed for fast turnaround and consistent performance.

  • Custom Color Matching - Tailored color solutions developed to meet specific branding or application requirements.

  • Additive-Enhanced Solutions - Formulations that incorporate functional additives such as UV stabilizers or flame retardants.

  • Packaging Options - Flexible supply formats including bulk quantities and pre-weighed unitized packages to support efficient handling and accurate batching.

Evaluating Other Color Formats?

While dry colorants are ideal for rotational molding and powder-based processing, Teknor Apex also offers color masterbatch and pre-colored compounds for applications requiring alternative processing methods or handling approaches.

The Teknor Apex Advantage: Expertise in Polymer Chemistry

Teknor Apex combines decades of experience in pigment and resin chemistry with a deep understanding of rotational molding processes. Our dry colorants are designed to help processors achieve consistent color distribution, reliable finished part appearance, and efficient handling in rotomolding and other powder based applications. With custom color matching, technical support, broad resin compatibility, and reliable supply. Teknor helps customers choose the right color solution for their resin system, process, and production workflow.

Featured Resources

Teknor Color Brochure

Why Choose Teknor Apex?

Fast turnaround times

  • Color matches are typically completed in 3–5 days, with expedited options available; production-ready materials are commonly available in 7–10 days.

40+ years of dry color expertise 

  • Proven experience in pigment selection, color matching, resin compatibility, and powder-based color applications.

Consistent blend-to-blend and lot-to-lot performance 

  • Supports reliable color consistency across production runs.

Technical service support

  • Application-focused guidance to help support color consistency, processing efficiency, and finished-part appearance.

Broader color portfolio

  • Teknor Apex offers dry colorants, color masterbatch/concentrates, and pre-colored compounds to help customers choose the right format for their resin, process, and application.

Flexible packaging options

  • Bulk and pre-weighed unitized packaging options help improve handling, accuracy, and production efficiency.

Tell us about your resin, process, and color requirements to get a dry colorant recommendation—or explore other Teknor Apex color solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Dry colorants are free-flowing blends of pigments and additives added directly to polymer resin to create color during processing. They are commonly supplied as powders or granules and are used where flexible color control and direct mixing are required.

Teknor Apex dry colors are available for PE, PP, Nylon, PC, PVC, XLPE, and post-consumer recycled resin systems. Polyethylene options include LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE.

In rotational molding, dry colorants are blended with polymer powder before the heating cycle. As the resin melts and coats the mold, the pigment disperses throughout the part, enabling uniform color when properly mixed and processed.

Dry colorants are added directly to resin as a pigment blend, while masterbatch is a concentrated color dispersed in a carrier resin and let down during processing. Dry color offers flexibility and fast color changes; masterbatch provides cleaner handling and more controlled dispersion.

Dry colorants and liquid colorants serve different processing needs. Dry colorants are often used where simple blending and flexibility are important, while liquid colorants can provide precise dosing and dispersion in certain systems. Selection depends on process, equipment, and performance requirements.

The three main categories of colorants in plastics are dry colorants, masterbatch (solid concentrates), and liquid colorants. Each format differs in how color is delivered to the polymer and is selected based on processing method, dispersion needs, and operational preferences.

Yes. Teknor dry colors can be used with UV-stabilized or flame-retardant resin systems, depending on the application. UV or flame-retardant performance comes from the resin system used, not from additives incorporated into Teknor dry colorant.

Yes. Some rotomolding customers purchase color concentrate or masterbatch and grind or prepare it themselves for use in their process. Teknor Apex can help evaluate whether dry colorant, color concentrate/masterbatch, or pre-colored compound is the best fit.

Helpful details include the resin system, processing method, color target, end-use application, performance requirements, current color format, annual volume, and project timing.

Color matches are typically completed in 3-5 days, with production-ready materials commonly available in 7-10 days. Expedited options may be available depending on the project and requirements.

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