Did you know?

As many applications, as many materials, as many processes and raw materials there are, so are the many different Colour Experts. And what they have in common is that they are versatile. After years of experience, research, training, discussions and exchange of information and ideas, I dare to call myself a Colour Expert of Engineering Plastics.

As a Colour Expert, I understand the chemistry and use of pigments and dyes, I have knowledge and knowhow on compounding/extrusion, injection moulding and which material properties are important for the applications.
Did you know that in addition to titanium dioxide, there is a whole range of oxide pigments that are so hard that it breaks glass fibers during the production of glass-reinforced plastics?

As a Colour Expert, I know which pigment and dye suppliers are reliable and good, and why they are so, what the distinction and similarities are between pigments and dyes, what is needed to develop the right colour in a plastic grade while retaining the relevant material properties and how to stably produce coloured plastics and retain that stability sufficiently in the application.
Did you know that most organic pigments and dyes require stabilisers?

As a Colour Expert, I know how to assess and analyse colour and colourants, according to standardised protocols, which colour spectrophotometers and settings to use, how to perform a visual colour assessment, which additional material properties should be analysed and how.
Did you know that from the colour values ??of a material, natural or coloured, you can derive what is right and wrong in your production of plastics?

As a Colour Expert, I know how to translate customers' colour references into production approval limits that are relevant and feasible, how to perform a Measurement System Analysis, interpret the results and translate them into possible follow-up actions and optimisations.
Did you know that most customers specify unrealistic colour specifications and that many plastic manufacturers accept this and subsequent higher production costs?

The versatility of my profession, as Colour Expert Engineering Plastics,  is what interests me immensely, gives me joy and satisfaction to this day. It is creative/innovative and analytical/standardised - it is about the raw materials and the process - developing limitless colour formulas and creating cost-saving recipes - require relevant and precise specifications from suppliers and manage or control the prescribed customer specifications - it is about the chemistry of today and the sustainable technology of tomorrow.

In all my benchmarks and assessments, whether they are on producers of pigments - dyes - masterbatches or plastics or colour spectrophotometers, I always take into account the customer, the application, the raw materials, production of plastics, quality and, last but not least, sustainability and Safety / Health / Environment. There is still a world to be won, to optimise processes, reduce costs, increase quality, standardise organisations and all this in a sustainable and safe manner.
I have been able to apply that versatility for about 5 years now, via weColLaborate, as a Freelance Expert and Trainer/Coach in the field of Colour and Analysis of (not exclusively) Engineering Plastics.

And the best thing about this profession is that you never stop learning!