Masterbatch comprising colorant particles and a polyol poly(hydroxy fatty acid) ester as dispersing agent

1. A masterbatch for coloring of thermoplastic polymer compositions, the masterbatch comprising:

a colorant in a total amount of 10-50% (w/w) relative to the total weight of the masterbatch,

a dispersing agent in a total amount of 0.5-20% (w/w) relative to the total weight of the masterbatch,

a carrier resin in a total amount of 30-80% (w/w) relative to the total weight of the masterbatch, and

optionally, one or more additives,

wherein the dispersing agent is a polyol poly(hydroxyl fatty acid) ester (pphe dispersing agent) wherein the pphe dispersing agent is poly(glycerol) poly(ricinoleate) ester (PGPR) in which the esterified poly(ricinoleate) of the PGPR has an average degree of polymerization of at least 5 and in which the esterified polyglycerol of the PG PR has an average degree of polymerization of 2-5.

2. The masterbatch according to claim 1 , wherein the total amount of pphe dispersing agent in the masterbatch is 3-10% (w/w) relative to the total weight of the masterbatch.

3. The masterbatch according to claim 1 , wherein the colorant is a pigment composition comprising organic, metalorganic and/or inorganic particles, where said particles are insoluble in polymers.

4. The masterbatch according to claim 1 , wherein the total amount of colorant in the masterbatch is 20-50% (w/w) relative to the total weight of the masterbatch.

5. The masterbatch according to claim 1 , wherein the carrier resin is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, acrylic resins, styrene polymers, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyether sulphones, polysulphones, vinyl polymers and mixtures of the same.

6. The masterbatch according to claim 1 , wherein the total amount of carrier resin in the masterbatch is 40-60% (w/w) relative to the total weight of the masterbatch.

7. The masterbatch according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more additive(s) are selected from the group consisting of ultraviolet light absorbers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, flame-retardants, antibacterial agents, surface tension reducers, deodorizing agents, anti-static agents, anti-blocking agents, plasticizer agents, blowing agents, fillers, internal mold release agents and slip agents.

8. A method for producing the masterbatch according to claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing the dispersing agent, the colorant, the carrier resin and optionally one or more additive(s), and

b) mixing the pphe dispersing agent, the colorant, the carrier resin and additives, if any, so as to form the masterbatch.

9. The method according to claim 8 , the method further comprising the step of converting the masterbatch mixture obtained in step b) into granulate or pellets.

10. A colored thermoplastic polymer composition comprising the masterbatch according to claim 1 and one or more thermoplastic polymer(s).

11. The colored thermoplastic polymer composition according to claim 10 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, acrylic resins, styrene polymers, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyether sulphones, polysulphones, vinyl polymers and mixtures of these.

12. The colored thermoplastic polymer composition of claim 10 , wherein the composition is formed as a sheet, film, tube, bottle, container, molded product or other molded articles.

13. A method for producing a colored thermoplastic product, the method comprising the steps of:

i) providing the masterbatch according to claim 1 and one or more thermoplastic polymer(s),

ii) mixing the masterbatch and said one or more thermoplastic polymer(s), so as to form a colored thermoplastic polymer composition, and

iii) processing the colored thermoplastic polymer composition obtained in step ii) into a desired shape so as to form the colored thermoplastic product.