7 Critical Questions to Ask Your Masterbatch Supplier Before Placing an Order
Because color selection isn’t just aesthetic — it impacts product performance, compliance, and long-term reliability.
1️. What is the carrier polymer used?
Ensure the carrier resin is fully compatible with your base polymer (e.g., PP, PE, PET, PS, ABS). An incompatible carrier can affect mechanical properties, processing behavior, and final appearance.
2️. Are you maintain batch-to-batch consistency and traceability?
Variations in color tone, dispersion quality, or additive performance can compromise your end product. Confirm that the supplier has robust quality control protocols, spectrophotometric shade matching systems, and full traceability for every batch.
3️. Is the masterbatch certified for regulated applications such as food contact, pharmaceuticals, or export?
Compliance with regional and international standards is essential. Verify certifications like:
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
- EU 10/2011 (European food-contact plastics regulation)
- ROHS / REACH (chemical safety)
- BIS (India)
This ensures your product meets legal, safety, and environmental requirements.
4️. Can you match our brand color with high accuracy?
Ask whether the supplier uses established color theory parameters — Hue, Value, and Chroma (HVC) — and employs spectrophotometer-based matching for precision. Accurate color replication is critical for brand consistency and visual quality.
5️. How do you support recyclability and sustainability goals?
Choose suppliers that offer sustainable masterbatch options, including:
- Low TiO₂ white formulations to reduce carbon impact
- NIR-detectable black masterbatches to enable sorting in recycling streams
- Biodegradable-compatible masterbatches for compostable or bio-based polymers
6️. Can you provide functional additives tailored to our application?
Beyond color, the masterbatch should enhance product performance. Ask about customized solutions for:
- UV stabilization
- Anti-fog and anti-static properties
- Flame retardancy
- Slip agents
- Antiblock
- Antimicrobial or Antibacterial functionality
7️. What are your minimum order quantities (MOQs) and lead times?
Clear expectations regarding production volumes and delivery timelines help streamline your supply chain — particularly for customized shades or functional masterbatches where lead times may vary.
Final Thought
A masterbatch is not merely a colorant — it’s a critical performance component.
Partner with a supplier who can confidently address all seven of these questions.
