Specialist plastic recycling. Nationwide collection.Let's talk recycling   01937 865401 ↗
Get in touch ↗
ADDITIVES AND MODIFIERS

Masterbatch(Concentrated pigment or additive in a carrier resin)

A concentrated ingredient that manufacturers dose into another plastic to add colour or a particular function.

Formulation ingredient
Additives and Modifiers — representative material applications
THE NAME, EXPLAINED

What is Masterbatch?

Masterbatch means Concentrated pigment or additive in a carrier resin.

A concentrated ingredient that manufacturers dose into another plastic to add colour or a particular function.

Worth knowing

The carrier might be PE, PP or another polymer. Carrier, pigment and active additive content all matter; appearance alone does not establish compatibility.

WHY MANUFACTURERS CHOOSE IT

Properties with a practical purpose.

01

Controlled dosing

This is a typical reason for selecting suitable grades. Check the manufacturer’s data sheet for the actual formulation and service conditions.

02

Colour concentration

This is a typical reason for selecting suitable grades. Check the manufacturer’s data sheet for the actual formulation and service conditions.

03

Additive delivery

This is a typical reason for selecting suitable grades. Check the manufacturer’s data sheet for the actual formulation and service conditions.

Properties vary with formulation, reinforcement, moisture, processing and service conditions. Use the exact grade data sheet for engineering decisions.

THE NEXT-CYCLE QUESTION

What matters when considering recovery?

Assess the product identity and carrier, rather than treating it as ordinary mixed plastic.

The carrier might be PE, PP or another polymer. Carrier, pigment and active additive content all matter; appearance alone does not establish compatibility.

Poly-Cycle can discuss your material information and collection requirements. Inclusion in this guide does not confirm acceptance, a particular recycling method or that every operation takes place at a Poly-Cycle facility.

How assessment and collection work

Make the enquiry easier

  1. Confirm the identity. Keep the manufacturer, trade grade and polymer marking. For an additive or chemical, include the safety data sheet.
  2. Describe the batch. Give the weight, colour and form: pellets, parts, sheet, film, fibre or another format.
  3. Explain what else is present. Declare fillers, coatings, metal inserts, other polymers and previous contact with chemicals or other contaminants.
  4. Agree the route. Share photographs and your collection postcode before arranging a movement.
FROM THE GUIDE TO YOUR MATERIAL

Have Masterbatch to discuss?

Send the team your grade details, approximate quantity and photographs. We can discuss the information needed for your particular batch.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related material guides.

Browse Additives and Modifiers
PE wax

Polyethylene wax

A low-molecular-weight polyethylene material used to change processing or surface behaviour.

Understand this material
PP wax

Polypropylene wax

A polypropylene-based processing additive used in suitable formulations for lubrication or dispersion.

Understand this material
Additives

Ingredients that modify a plastic formulation

A broad group of substances used to change processing, colour, durability or other behaviour. It is a role rather than one chemical identity.

Understand this material
Technical references and reading

General material information reviewed 1 November 2026. Manufacturer information supports the material descriptions; recycling enquiry guidance is an editorial synthesis, not a statement of a supplier’s or Poly-Cycle’s acceptance criteria.

Browse this guide under: Additives and Modifiers. The original category inventory was informed by RM Group’s plastics directory; explanations have been written for Poly-Cycle.

Enlarged Poly Cycle gallery photograph