PS Masterbatch

What Is PS Masterbatch?

PS Masterbatch is a concentrate — pigment or functional additive dispersed in a Polystyrene carrier resin — used to color or modify PS parts during processing. Allzone supplies Masterbatch on PS carrier across the additive and color families listed below, matched to your grade and processing method.

For the engineering explanation of what a Masterbatch is and how it works, see Color Masterbatch Explained. For choosing a specific color grade, see the Wave 6 color-name decision guides. For product-level color landings on any carrier, see Wave 7.

Compatible Masterbatch Families on PS Carrier

Allzone supplies the following families on a PS carrier — the specific product page for each family owns the shade, pigment index, and regulatory detail:

• Color Masterbatch — see the Color Product Vertical (Wave 7) for L1 landings by color; the Color-Name Decision Guides (Wave 6) for grade selection.
• White Masterbatch — see the White Masterbatch pages (Wave 4) for TiO₂-based opacity grades.
• Black Masterbatch — see the Black Masterbatch landing (Wave 7).
• Desiccant Masterbatch — see the Desiccant Masterbatch pages (Wave 4) for moisture-scavenging use on recycled or hygroscopic PS.
• Additive Masterbatch — UV stabilizer, antioxidant, antistatic, slip/anti-block, processing aid — quoted on request against your target application.

This page does not re-explain those families; it confirms which are available on a PS carrier and links to the owning product page.

Typical Processing Methods for PS

Injection Molding, Sheet Extrusion / Thermoforming, Foam (EPS/XPS).

Recommended processing conditions match the host polymer; the pigment or additive heat-stability ceiling is disclosed on the TDS/COA.

Grade & Concentration Notes

• Carrier–host compatibility is a hard requirement, not a preference. See Carrier Selection (CT-ART-002). A mismatched carrier resin causes gels, dispersion loss, or unexpected mechanical drops.
• Melt-flow matching. GPPS (crystal) and HIPS (impact) behave differently; declare grade. Carriers should be PS-based or a documented compatible system — polyolefin carriers cause haze in GPPS.
• Standard concentrations vary by family (Color 20–50 %, White 50–80 % TiO₂, Additive family-dependent). Specify let-down ratio and target performance rather than pigment percentage alone.
• Custom concentration and custom grades available on request — specify your target let-down ratio, host-polymer grade, and end-use requirement on the RFQ.

For food-contact applications, verify pigment index and carrier resin compliance (FDA 21 CFR 178.3297, EU 10/2011).

Typical Applications

Disposable food-service items, dairy cups and lids (HIPS), electronic housings, thermoformed trays, insulation foam.

Application-specific requirements (food contact, medical, toy, outdoor exposure, chemical resistance) are declared on the RFQ and dictate which pigment index, additive package, and carrier grade are selected.

Related Masterbatch Products

• Color Masterbatch Product Vertical (Wave 7) — L1 landings by color.
• How to Choose a Color Masterbatch Grade (Wave 6) — decision guides.
• White Masterbatch (Wave 4) — TiO₂-based opacity Masterbatch.
• Desiccant Masterbatch (Wave 4) — moisture-scavenging Masterbatch for recycled or hygroscopic feed.

Related Knowledge Articles

• Color Masterbatch Explained — canonical engineering pillar (CT-PILLAR-001).
• Carrier Selection for Color Masterbatch — carrier–host compatibility (CT-ART-002).
• Color Matching, ΔE and Pantone References — matching methodology (CT-ART-003).
• Custom Color Masterbatch Development — how a target becomes a supplied grade (CT-ART-004).

What to Send on Your RFQ

For a usable PS Masterbatch quotation, provide:

1. Host polymer grade — PS type (declare grade family, e.g. homopolymer/copolymer, HDPE bottle vs pipe, mLLDPE vs Ziegler, GPPS vs HIPS) and MFI or IV.
2. Processing method — which of the above processes runs on your line.
3. Masterbatch family — Color / White / Black / Desiccant / Additive (or combination).
4. Target performance — shade + ΔE tolerance, opacity target, additive dose, or functional spec.
5. Regulatory frame — food contact (FDA, EU 10/2011), toy (EN 71-3), medical, potable water, or none.
6. Volume and MOQ — kg per order, annual estimate, sample requirement.

So What Should the Buyer Investigate Next?

Before issuing the PO, verify: (a) the Masterbatch carrier is compatible with your specific PS grade — not just the polymer family, (b) the MFI or IV window matches your processing window, and (c) the pigment index or additive package on the TDS matches your regulatory frame and end-use exposure. If any of these three is missing, the risk sits on your production floor — not on the supplier's.

Request a quote: /quote — send the six items above and Allzone will return a grade-specific offer promptly, matched to your polymer, application, and volume.