EXT-BLACK® Black Masterbatch by EXTRUTEX

Premium Carbon Black Concentrates – Manufactured in China | Research & Laboratory in Austria

EXTRUTEX has manufactured Black Masterbatch since the company’s founding and has grown into one of the region’s significant producers. Strong domestic success has been followed by substantial export earnings, establishing EXTRUTEX as a reliable international supplier. Production of the EXT-BLACK® range takes place in the dedicated “EXT-BLACK” facility, which has an annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes. Manufacturing is based in China for efficient large-scale output and competitive supply, while research, development, and laboratory work are conducted in Austria. This combination ensures advanced formulation expertise, rigorous quality control, and consistent product performance that meets demanding global standards.

Quality Foundations: Carbon Black and Production Excellence

The performance of any Black Masterbatch is determined by two primary factors: the characteristics of the carbon black pigment and the quality of the dispersion and compounding processes. Carbon black is not a simple colourant; it is a highly engineered material whose primary particle size, structure, surface chemistry, and purity directly influence jetness (depth of black), undertone (blue or brown), opacity/covering power, UV absorption, and long-term weather resistance.

Finer primary particle sizes (typically in the 15–25 nm range for premium grades) deliver superior jetness, higher tinting strength, and more effective UV protection because of greater surface area. These grades are preferred for applications requiring maximum blackness intensity and long outdoor service life. Larger particle sizes (around 40–70 nm) are more economical, easier to disperse, and suitable for general-purpose colouring where extreme jetness or maximum UV performance is not required.

EXTRUTEX selects high-purity furnace blacks matched to the end-use requirements and subjects them to intensive compounding. Harmonious dispersion is essential. Poorly dispersed agglomerates create visible “particles,” gels, or “fish-eyes” on film surfaces, reduce mechanical properties, and lower UV protection efficiency. EXT-BLACK® grades are engineered for excellent dispersion so that the carbon black is uniformly distributed at both microscopic and macroscopic levels.

Sufficient concentration levels are maintained in the masterbatch (commonly in the 25–50 % carbon black range depending on grade) so that processors can achieve the required final loading with economical let-down ratios while retaining good flow and processability. Black Masterbatches must also meet specific blackness intensity, brightness (or controlled gloss), and covering (opacity) requirements.

EXT-BLACK® Product Range by Polymer Carrier

The EXT-BLACK® portfolio covers a broad spectrum of thermoplastic carriers so that the masterbatch is fully compatible with the host polymer, preserving mechanical properties, processing behaviour, and surface appearance:

• PE Masterbatch (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE carriers)
• PP Masterbatch
• PS Masterbatch
• ABS Masterbatch
• SAN Masterbatch
• PA Masterbatch
• PC Masterbatch
• PMMA Masterbatch
• PBT Masterbatch
• PET Masterbatch
• PES Masterbatch
• PVC Masterbatch
• EVA Masterbatch
• TPU Masterbatch
• PLA Masterbatch

Matching the carrier resin to the base polymer is critical. Using a PE-based masterbatch in PE film or pipe maximises compatibility and minimises any negative effect on melt flow, weldability, or long-term mechanical performance. Engineering-plastic carriers (PA, PC, ABS, PET, etc.) are formulated for the higher processing temperatures and specific rheology of those resins.

Application-Specific Performance

Black Masterbatches cannot deliver identical results in every process. Film extrusion, pipe extrusion, injection moulding, cable sheathing, and compounding each impose different demands on dispersion quality, flow behaviour, thermal stability, and functional performance. Only the grades recommended for a given application should be used.

Film & Packaging Applications

In blown and cast film, the priority is perfect dispersion combined with high opacity and consistent jetness. Thin gauges (especially below 50 µm) are unforgiving: any undispersed agglomerates appear as visible particles or cause film defects and reduced barrier performance. EXT-BLACK® film grades are designed to deliver the required blackness and covering power without particle problems. Typical addition rates range from 1–4 % depending on film thickness, desired opacity, and carbon black concentration in the masterbatch. High-quality dispersion also contributes to smooth surface finish, low filter-pressure value (FPV), and extended screen life on the extruder.

Pipe Applications – Water, Corrugated, Drip, and Sprinkler Pipes

Plastic pipes for water supply, drainage, irrigation, and conduits are among the largest volume consumers of Black Masterbatch. Carbon black provides both colour and essential UV stabilisation. Industry practice and many standards require a final carbon black content of approximately 2.0–2.5 % in the finished pipe to ensure decades of outdoor or buried service life.

EXTRUTEX offers economical grades suitable for high-volume pipe production as well as special P-Type products designed specifically for these applications. P-Type grades incorporate carefully selected carbon blacks that deliver extra UV effect together with excellent dispersion. Perfect dispersion is vital in pipe extrusion: agglomerates can create stress concentration points, reduce pressure resistance, or impair the smooth internal and external surfaces required for flow and joint integrity.

High-Aesthetic and Specialty Applications – Automotive, Electronics, Cosmetics

When simply increasing the addition rate does not produce the desired darker, deeper, or brighter black tones, specially formulated high-jetness grades must be used. These demands typically arise in automotive exterior and interior components, electronic housings, and cosmetic packaging where appearance is critical. Fine-particle, high-tinting-strength carbon blacks deliver intense jetness and controlled undertone. Carrier resins are matched to the engineering polymers commonly used in these sectors (ABS, PC, PA, PMMA, etc.) so that impact strength, heat resistance, and surface gloss are preserved.

Other Applications

EXT-BLACK® grades are also widely used in general compounding, panel extrusion, injection moulding of technical parts, and cable sheathing. In cable applications the masterbatch can contribute to both colour and, where required, controlled conductivity or antistatic performance through appropriate carbon black selection and loading.

Technical Advantages and Processing Guidance

• Dispersion excellence – Minimises particles, gels, and filter clogging; supports thin-film integrity and smooth pipe surfaces.
• Optimised carbon black selection – Balances jetness, covering power, UV performance, and cost.
• Carrier compatibility – Preserves mechanical properties and processing behaviour of the host polymer.
• Consistent batch-to-batch quality – Supported by Austrian laboratory control and Chinese production scale.
• Economical let-down ratios – High-concentration grades reduce the amount of masterbatch needed while still delivering target performance.

Typical Dosage Guidelines

• Film & packaging: 1–4 %
• Pipes (to reach ~2.0–2.5 % carbon black in finished product): usually 4–8 % depending on masterbatch concentration
• Injection moulding and general compounding: 1–5 %
• High-jetness aesthetic applications: follow recommended levels for the special grade

Always confirm with specific grade data sheets and trials. Processing temperatures should remain within the normal range for the base polymer.

Why Choose EXT-BLACK®

EXTRUTEX combines decades of focused experience in Black Masterbatch with modern production capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year at the dedicated EXT-BLACK facility. Manufacturing in China delivers scale and supply reliability, while research and laboratory capabilities in Austria ensure continuous improvement in formulation science, dispersion technology, and quality assurance.

The result is a comprehensive portfolio engineered for the specific demands of film packaging, pipes (including specialised P-Type UV grades), automotive, electronics, cosmetics, cables, and general compounding.

Whether the priority is particle-free thin film, long-term UV protection in pressure or irrigation pipes, or deep jet-black aesthetics in high-visibility parts, EXT-BLACK® provides the harmonious dispersion, sufficient concentration, blackness intensity, brightness control, and covering power required for consistent, high-quality results.

Processors are strongly advised to use only the grades recommended for each application, as performance cannot be assumed to transfer automatically from one process to another.

For detailed technical data sheets, recommended grades for specific processes, sample evaluation, or custom formulation support, contact the EXTRUTEX technical team.