High-temperature stability
PET processes hot, so only heat-stable high-performance pigments survive the melt without shade shift, degradation or generating haze.
Applications
Pigments for PET
Pigment recommendations for pet with technical checks and export enquiry support.
Polyester (PET) is processed at high temperatures for bottles, sheet and fibre, and is often required to stay transparent, so it demands heat-stable, high-performance organic pigments that colour without hazing or degrading. The elevated processing window rules out many lower-stability pigments, favouring heat-fast condensation and high-performance classes. Buyers should confirm high-temperature heat stability matched to PET processing, transparency for clear tinted bottles and sheet, no adverse effect on PET's clarity or intrinsic viscosity, and, for fibre-grade PET, extremely fine dispersion for spinneret passage.
At a glance
What Pigments for PET covers
Clarity in tinted PET
Transparent bottles and sheet need pigments that tint without clouding, preserving the see-through clarity central to PET packaging.
No property interference
Confirm pigments do not degrade PET's intrinsic viscosity or clarity, since colour must not weaken the container or hydrolyse the polymer.
Fibre-grade fineness
For PET fibre, pigments must be dispersed extremely fine to pass spinnerets without blocking filters or breaking filaments.
Recommended pigments
High-demand grades to consider
A starting shortlist of export-grade organic pigments relevant to Pigments for PET. Open any grade for shade, fastness and packing detail, or send your requirement for a matched recommendation.
Violet Pigments
Pigment Violet 23
PV23Carbazole violet for high-strength blue-violet industrial applications.
View export grade Blue PigmentsPhthalocyanine Blue Beta
Pigment Blue 15:3High-strength beta blue for export-grade paints, inks, plastics, and masterbatch.
View export grade Yellow PigmentsPigment Yellow 74
PY74Arylide yellow grade for decorative coatings and water-based systems.
View export grade Red PigmentsPigment Red 170
PR170Strong naphthol red for coatings, plastics, and masterbatch.
View export grade Pigment PastesEpoxy Pigment Paste
Epoxy PasteStable epoxy paste for floor coatings and resin systems.
View export gradeExplore more
Related pages & export hub
Answers
Pigments for PET — frequently asked questions
Why does PET need high-performance heat-stable pigments?
PET processes at high temperatures for bottles, sheet and fibre, exceeding the stability of many ordinary organic pigments, which would darken or degrade. Heat-stable high-performance classes such as certain condensation and polycyclic pigments survive the PET melt, holding shade and strength, so they are the standard choice for polyester colouring.
Can PET bottles be tinted while staying clear?
Yes, with transparent heat-stable pigments that colour the polymer without hazing it. This gives the tinted-but-clear look common in beverage and cosmetic bottles. The pigment must both survive PET's high processing temperature and remain transparent, so grades are selected specifically for clear tinted PET applications.
Do pigments affect PET clarity or strength?
Poorly chosen pigments or moisture-laden additives can cause haze or contribute to hydrolytic degradation that lowers PET's intrinsic viscosity and weakens the part. Suitable, dry, heat-stable pigment systems avoid this. Always confirm the pigment does not impair PET clarity or mechanical performance in the finished container or fibre.
How does colouring PET fibre differ from PET bottles?
Both need high heat stability, but PET fibre is spun through fine spinnerets, demanding exceptionally fine dispersion to avoid filter blocking and filament breaks, and strong light and wash fastness for textiles. Bottles instead emphasise transparency and food-contact suitability. The end form shifts the additional requirements beyond shared heat stability.
Buyer knowledge base
Pigments for PET: a quick sourcing guide
A buyer-first summary of pigment selection, quality documentation and export logistics, so technical and commercial teams work from the same brief.
Dispersion support
Guidance on oil absorption and let-down, plus ready-to-use pastes where direct handling helps.
Shade matching
Target a physical standard or current reference; the lab confirms undertone and tinting strength.
Migration control
For plasticised and polyolefin systems, grades are chosen to resist blooming and plate-out.
Compliance on file
REACH and RoHS declarations and correct HS codes prepared for your market's customs.