Markets
Markets for sheet, plate, and foam extrusion
Rifra has worked for decades alongside processors producing sheets, plates, and foamed plates for the most demanding sectors of the market. Deep knowledge of specific criticalities—from controlling the residual stress profile in thick plates to managing melt strength in foams—allows Rifra to develop color Masterbatches and additives that not only meet aesthetic requirements but actively contribute to process stability and finished product quality.
Color Masterbatches
Our design rules for color formulations
The choice of pigment is guided not only by the shade, but by its thermal stability at process temperatures, its compatibility with the base polymer, and its ability not to alter the melt rheology—a critical parameter for sheet thickness control and foam stability. The following tables relate the specific color criticalities of each application sector with Rifra formulation solutions. For each sector, ‘Value for manufactured goods’ describes the end customer’s requirement, while ‘How to obtain value from Rifra formulas’ illustrates the technical lever with which Rifra meets that requirement.
| Regulated and high-performance sectors | Values for manufactured goods | How to obtain value from Rifra formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Early childhood and toys | Rigid plates and foams for construction, puzzles, assembly blocks, play surfaces. Bright and non-toxic colors. Smooth, washable surfaces resistant to impacts and scratches. Structural foams for shock absorption (fall protection). | We use exclusively non-toxic pigments. Our formulas ensure high dispersion for color uniformity on large-surface plates. For foams, we select pigments that do not interfere with the expansion process and cellular structure. Color stability over time. |
| Medical | Plates and sheets for rigid disposable devices, sterile trays, machinery components, cleanroom panels. Identification colors to distinguish types or sterilization levels. Sterilizability, structural rigidity, and biocompatibility. | We use pigments selected to withstand sterilization processes (gamma, EtO, steam, autoclave). We support the Customer with documentation for final product certification. |
| Electrical / Electronic | Plates and sheets for rigid casings, screens, back panels, internal equipment components. Colors for functional coding. Electrical insulation, shielding, dimensional lightness, structural rigidity. Resistance to heat and flame. | We select pigments that do not interfere with the electrical and dielectric properties of the polymer. Maximum thermal stability. Possibility of formulations with flame retardant additives that do not alter the color. Maximum dispersion to avoid color hot spots. |
| Automotive | Structural plates and foams for rigid interior panels, trunk linings, dashboards, lightweight components. Colors stable over time (often black, gray, beige). Weight reduction (lightweighting), resistance to vibrations, impacts, solar radiation, and thermal shocks. Resistance to warpage and shrinkage. | Pigments with very high light and heat fastness. Our formulas are designed not to alter melt rheology, a critical parameter for thin plates and structural foams. Support in developing custom colors for automotive brands. The formulas do not contribute to warpage or shrinkage. |
| Food Packaging | Absolute Safety and Compliance. Plates and sheets that comply with sector regulations (FDA / EU 10/2011) for specific food contact (fatty, acidic, alcoholic foods). Typical use: trays, cutting boards, worktops, rigid containers. | Each pigment is selected in quality and quantity to ensure maximum safety. We have a dedicated Regulatory office to validate every formula and monitor that these characteristics do not change over time. Rifra guarantees continuity of supply through strict traceability rules and raw material selection. |
| Sectors with high aesthetic impact and durability | Value for manufactured goods | How to obtain value from Rifra formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Furnishing elements | Plates and sheets with colors specifically designed for Customer needs, high tone uniformity, precise surface finishes. It is possible to create formulas that allow for the production of abrasion- and scratch-resistant plates. Rifra guarantees high reproducibility of color and finish across different batches and components, allowing for uniform coloring even on components of the same furniture piece made from different polymers. | We have a team of formulators capable of studying ever-new formulations, matching the color tone from reference samples, even those not necessarily made of plastic. We work to ensure the absence of metamerism and to guarantee high aesthetic performance. |
| Housewares | Rigid plates and sheets for cutting boards, worktops, rigid containers, storage boxes, trays. Neutral or bright colors depending on the brand. Durability for daily use, easy cleanability, resistance to scratches, cutting (for cutting boards), and aggressive detergents. For food containers, safety and compliance. | We select pigments with high resistance to detergents and household chemicals. For food contact applications, we use exclusively pigments approved according to FDA/EU 10/2011. Our formulas ensure color stability even after repeated dishwasher cycles. Optimization of dispersion for uniform surfaces without a “speckled” effect. |
| Outdoor furniture | Structural plates and foams for tables, benches, garden chairs, outdoor furniture panels. UV-stable colors, resistant to humidity, mold, and thermal shocks. Dimensional stability to prevent warpage and shrinkage under solar radiation and mechanical loads. Surfaces resistant to scratches and abrasion. | We select pigments with very high weather fastness (QUV test, Xenotest). Our formulas are designed not to contribute to unwanted warpage or shrinkage phenomena. Wide range of predispersed pigments in shades of white, green, red, blue, and black. |
| Appliances | Rigid plates and sheets for refrigerator interior linings, washing machine panels, doors, structural components. Colors stable over time (often white or gray, but also brand colors). Structural rigidity, resistance to operating temperatures (-20°C to +80°C), and aggressive detergents. Resistance to impacts and scratches. | We use pigments with high thermal stability and resistance to household chemicals. Our formulas ensure color uniformity on large surfaces and across different production batches. Support in developing custom colors for appliance brands. The formulas do not alter the mechanical properties of the sheet. |
| Specialized high-stress sectors | Value for manufactured goods | How to obtain value from Rifra formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Non-food packaging | Rigid plates and sheets for heavy industrial packaging, chemical product containers, reusable crates, pallets, divider panels. Colors for coding and identification of product or hazard (e.g., orange/yellow for hazardous substances). Chemical-mechanical robustness, resistance to tearing, impact, chemicals, and static/dynamic loads. | We select pigments resistant to solvents and aggressive chemicals. Our formulas are optimized not to compromise the mechanical properties of the plate (tear resistance, impact resistance, elongation, rigidity). We work with the Customer to balance opacity, sheet thickness, and costs. Guaranteed dimensional stability. |
| Construction | Plates and sheets that can guarantee aesthetic and structural durability, with maximum weather resistance (preventing yellowing, maintaining color and gloss); that resist warpage and shrinkage under solar radiation and mechanical loads. | We select coloring formulas that resist weathering and that do not contribute to unwanted warpage or shrinkage phenomena during the process phase. We have a wide range of predispersed pigments and color formulations in shades of white, green, red, and blue. |
| Clothing / Accessories | Structural foams and thin sheets for rigid reinforcements in backpacks, helmets, back protectors, suitcases, travel accessories. Identification or brand colors. Controlled localized cushioning, lightness, resistance to abrasion and impacts. Selective rigidity in reinforcement areas. | We develop special effects and specific colorings, supporting the customer in the creation of their fashion collections. |
| Sports equipment | Foams for floor coverings with high cushioning performance. | We develop dedicated color solutions and formulations for sports applications, ensuring wear resistance, stability over time, and constant performance even under intensive use conditions. |
| Agriculture | Sheets and plates for tunnels, rigid mulching, and greenhouse covers. Colors that regulate growth (selective light reflection/transmission). Sheets as thermal regulators (light colors reduce heat stress, dark colors absorb heat). Structural and aesthetic durability for entire seasons. Resistance to warpage and shrinkage under solar radiation. | We select pigments with high weather fastness and UV stability. Our formulas do not interfere with UV, anti-fog, and thermal stabilizers. Upon request, we select formulas that do not release ions or metals (no phytotoxicity). Spectrophotometric expertise to suggest a spectral profile dedicated to crop growth. The formulas do not contribute to unwanted warpage or shrinkage phenomena. |
Additive Masterbatches
Our long-standing additive solutions
In the extrusion of sheets, plates, and foamed plates, additives are functional components that determine the final performance of the product. Rifra has developed additive Masterbatches specifically optimized for the thermomechanical conditions of these processes: high process temperatures, long residence times in the extruder, specific criticalities of foams (melt strength, nucleation), and sheet surface requirements (anti-blocking, antistatic). Each solution is designed to address a specific criticality, with the guarantee of compatibility with the polymer matrix and the absence of undesirable effects on the finished product.
| Value for manufactured goods | Benefits for the process | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Plate/sheet that maintains light transmission over time (without yellowing); with lasting mechanical integrity (prevention of micro-fractures from environmental stress); with dimensional stability (resistance to warpage and deformation). | Antioxidant formulations reduce thermo-oxidative degradation in the calender and cooling, minimizing residual internal stresses, post-production warpage, and stress cracking. | ANTIOXIDANT |
| Plate/sheet with a defect-free surface (no gels, no carbon residues); for thermoforming with uniform thickness distribution and low waste; for food packaging neutral to odors and flavors; with superior brilliance and transparency; with high and constant melt strength. | They prevent the formation of gels, carbon residues, and degradation products. They ensure a uniform residual stress profile for thermoforming, maintain melt strength by preventing chain scission, and preserve an optically perfect surface. | ANTIOXIDANT |
| Plate/sheet for construction with aesthetic durability (resistance to yellowing, whitening, loss of gloss for decades); with lasting impact resistance (hail, cyclic loads). | UV stabilizers protect polymer chains by preventing surface degradation, aesthetic decay, and loss of melt strength and intrinsic strain hardening of the material. | UV STABILIZER |
| Plate/sheet for food packaging that protects the contents from UV rays; with color stability (no yellowing over time). | The UV stabilizer ensures active shielding without compromising processability and preserves the aesthetic appearance of the plate during the product’s life. | UV STABILIZER + UV ABSORBER |
| Plate/sheet for construction with dimensional stability (maximum resistance to thermal shrinkage and warpage under solar radiation). | Prevention of viscometric degradation (chain scission) in the melt keeps melt strength high and constant, crucial for stability exiting the die and in calendering. | UV STABILIZER + ANTIOXIDANT |
| Plate/sheet for lighting (LED diffusers, ceiling lights) with light uniformity (no hot spots, wide viewing angle); with color uniformity and improved surface appearance. | The specific formulation corrects polymer yellowing phenomena following processing and ensures optical and color stability throughout the extrusion process. | DIFFUSING AGENT |
| Plate/sheet that does not accumulate dust and has a soft-touch feel (safety for operators, ease of packaging). | The special composition prevents electrostatic charges during cutting and sanding; plates do not stick to each other or to the protective film, speeding up logistics and palletization. | ANTISTATIC |
| Plate/sheet with protected surface (no scratches, no block burns); with controlled finish (precise haze & gloss); with excellent printability. | The additive prevents plate blocking during stacking and storage, reduces friction (COF) with transport rollers, and ensures micro-roughness for the anchoring of inks and varnices. | ANTI-BLOCKING |
| Flame-resistant plate/sheet (slows propagation), compliant with sector regulations; maintains good processability (no negative impact on melt rheology). | The FR system is designed to withstand extrusion temperatures without premature decomposition, preventing excessive formation of fumes, odors, and carbon residues. The optimized system minimizes the impact on melt strength, maintaining plate stability during the production process. | FLAME RETARDANT |
Complex Masterbatches
Our best formulations: the COMPLEX range
Rifra COMPLEX products represent the most advanced synthesis of the company’s technical expertise: multifunctional Masterbatches that integrate the functionalities of multiple additives into a single solution, optimized for the specific conditions of the sheet, plate, and foam extrusion process. The COMPLEX philosophy stems from the awareness that process criticalities are often interconnected: thermal stabilization influences melt strength, nucleation interacts with rheology, and UV protection combines with antioxidant stabilization. Addressing these criticalities with separate additives can generate incompatibilities or negative synergistic effects. Rifra COMPLEX products are designed to exploit positive synergies between components, ensuring performance superior to the sum of the parts with a single addition to the process.
| Rifra solutions | Synergistic advantage | Guaranteed efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| RIFRACHEM CX ANTIOX | The color remains stable without yellowing during extrusion thanks to antioxidant protection, which simultaneously preserves polymer and pigment from thermo-oxidative stress in the calender and cooling. | Plate that retains light transmission and mechanical integrity. No warpage. Stable color in the long term. |
| RIFRACHEM CX ANTIOX + PPA | PPA eliminates surface defects that would alter color perception; the antioxidant prevents the formation of carbon gels that soil the color. | Defect-free surface, superior brilliance and transparency. Uniform color. Low waste in thermoforming. |
| RIFRACHEM CX UV STAB | The color resists yellowing, whitening, and loss of gloss. The UV stabilizer protects both polymer and pigment from degradation induced by solar rays. | Construction plate with aesthetic durability and impact resistance. Stable color after years of outdoor exposure. |
| RIFRACHEM CX UV ADS + UV STAB | The color does not yellow and helps protect the packaging contents. The UV absorber shields the product, while the stabilizer preserves the polymer. | Food packaging plate with stable aesthetic and functional appearance. No yellowing over time. |
| RIFRACHEM CX UV STAB + ANTIOX | 360° protection: the antioxidant acts during the thermal process, the UV stabilizer during the operational life. The color remains stable in both phases. | Construction plate with maximum resistance to thermal shrinkage and warpage under solar radiation. Unchanged color. |
| RIFRACHEM CX DIFFUSING | The diffuser optimizes light distribution; the color ensures the desired aesthetic effect. Together they eliminate hot spots and correct process-induced yellowing phenomena. | LED lighting plate with light uniformity, wide viewing angle, and homogeneous color. |
| RIFRACHEM CX ANTISTATIC | The antistatic prevents dust accumulation that would alter color perception and surface cleanliness. The color remains bright and uniform. | Soft-touch plate that does not accumulate dust. Safety for operators. Preserved color aesthetics. |
| RIFRACHEM CX ANTIBLOCK | The anti-blocking protects the surface from scratches that would mar the color and alter its brilliance. Controlled finish without compromising color yield. | Plate with protected surface, no block burns, excellent printability. Bright color even after stacking. |
| RIFRACHEM CX FR | The FR system is selected and dosed not to interfere with color stability during extrusion. No color alteration, no formation of fumes that cloud the surface. | Self-extinguishing plate compliant with regulations. Stable color, good processability. |
| RIFRACHEM CX ANTIOX + UV STAB + DIFFUSING | Thermal protection (antioxidant) + solar protection (UV) + optical control (diffusing). The color combines all functions without conflicts. | Plate for outdoor technical applications (skylights, greenhouses, lighting) with optical durability and stable color for decades. |
| RIFRACHEM CX ANTISTATIC + ANTIBLOCK | Dual protection of the color surface: no dust to cloud the color, no scratches to mar it. Ideal for applications where aesthetics are critical. | Plate for automatic packaging or the electronic sector. Color and surface perfectly preserved. |
| RIFRACHEM CX FR + ANTIOX | The antioxidant protects the color and the polymer during high-temperature extrusion; the flame retardant ensures safety without compromising color stability. | Self-extinguishing plate for construction or transport. Stable color and mechanical properties. |
| RIFRACHEM CX RHEOLOGY MODIFIER + ANTIBLOCK | The rheology modifier ensures high melt strength for deep thermoforming; the anti-blocking protects the color surface. The color does not interfere with rheological properties. | Extruded plate with dimensional stability, controlled micro-rough surface, and uniform color finish. |
