Bottle that scent

Fresh ground coffee. Newly-cut lilac blooms. Smooth, supple leather. Fragrances that capture the attention and stir consumers to action. How often has the comment been made, 'If only I could bottle that scent?'

Well, now you can. Clariant Masterbatches Division has a new formulation technology that will allow fragrances to be created as part of traditional polyethylene applications. The new additive masterbatches are the result of research work originating in Clariant's operations in Brussels.

To date, five aroma masterbatch formulations are available, including Green Apple, Lemon, Vanilla, Leather and Lavender. The custom designed materials are incorporated into the base resin and require a let-down ratio of between two and ten percent, varying by the specified intensity and duration time for the fragrance. Development work is under way to transfer this knowledge for use in other base resins.

This technology extends the ability for brand managers to differentiate their products at the shelf and in a consumer's home. Traditionally, special effects and masterbatches are used to establish and extend a product's brand identity by creating distinctive appearances in the end-product. The consumer can now be reached by appealing to the sense of smell as well.

A plastics packaging manufacturer has the option to make the coffee package smell as enticing as the contents or the lilac body powder container to exude the scent of the real flowers. Future work points to having the plastic upholstery trim of a new car smell like rich leather or the simulated wood dashboard to give off the scent of walnut.

The scent-enduring aromas have been developed for use in polyethylene. The custom formulated additive masterbatch packages are available for injection moulding, blow moulding and film extrusion for thicknesses of 100 µm or greater.

Markets targeted for applications of this new technology include automotive interiors, as well as packaging for health and beauty aids and cosmetics. The process is not presently BgVV or FDA compliant and is not intended for children's items or toys.

Get more information at www.clariant.masterbatches.com