"Conventional mica-based pearl pigments tend to cause yellowing of plastic following exposure to light," said Ciba marketing manager Nicole End. Extending packaging life The company responded to this problem by developing pearlescent pigments for plastics with anti-yellowing properties that should prolong packaging life. "Ciba has now developed a surface treatment that stabilizes pearlescent pigments and inhibits yellowing, adding to the appeal of numerous items and extending their lifetime," added End. Suitable for a range of cosmetics packaging including bottles, jars and containers, the products each have slightly different attributes. Adjusting the appearance Adjusting particle size allows different requirements to be met as small particles give a gentle, silk-like sheen while large particles give a stronger, glitter effect. The first two new products in the range are Ciba XYMARA Silver Pearl XPS19, which gives a white satin luster, and Ciba XYMARA Silver Pearl XPS23, which combines the satin sheen with a light glitter. The products in the XYMARA XPS range may be used with other effects and colors to produce individual and exclusive designs. Grabbing customer attention With hundreds of cosmetics lining the shelves, packaging and design ideas are one of the principle means by which manufacturers can attract the attention of customers. Pearlescent effects are used to reproduce the feel of natural pearls and therefore persuade beauty buyers of the high quality of the product. These effects can also be employed by packaging specialists to give plastics a metallic appearance.
