Fantasia Color Technology News

Bayer MaterialScience LLC color experts unveil fresh new hues for 2010

New palette of colors helps designers create products that pop

May 25, 2010

Pittsburgh, May 25, 2010 — April showers that bring May flowers are sure signs of spring. Another is a new crop of colors from the color experts at Bayer MaterialScience LLC, who have once again developed new hues that designers can use to put a distinctive mark on their creations.

"We had quite a tall order in putting together this season's portfolio of colors," explained John Skabardonis, polycarbonates marketing manager for North America, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "With so many different applications in mind — automotive and electrical/electronic among others — the color engineers put forth a lot of thought and analysis into what would best complement the end products."

The newest colors debuting in the LEDA® Compounded Color Technology portfolio are:

• Bluff — This velvety, pinkish-tan hue provides depth and richness to auto interiors. The Bayblend® LGX300 polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) blend plastic used with this color is a low-gloss resin that draws in automotive designers with its high-end appearance.
  
  
• Sharkskin — Bathed in silvery-gray, this is a cool, sleek and modern shade. Auto interiors will appear streamlined and smooth when draped in this hue. For this color, OEMs also turn to Bayblend® LGX300 PC/ABS blend plastic for its good mar and scratch resistance qualities.
  
  
• Joker — Take a splash of whimsy and add in a pinch of mischief, and you have Joker: a playful purple created in flame retarded Bayblend® PC/ABS blend plastic for electronic device housings which are often used in homes and offices.
  
  
• Orinoco — This moody green color takes you right to the depths of the jungle. Developed in flame retarded Bayblend® PC/ABS blend plastic, this verdant shade complements interiors and is following the latest fashion trends for the housings of electrical and electronic devices.
  
  
• Cayman — A deep blue, the shade of the warm waters of a spring break spent in the Caribbean. This bright, chromatic shade of azure will be a pleasant addition to many consumer products. Makrolon® 2405 polycarbonate plastic, which is often used in consumer products, is the "workhorse" of plastic resins — a higher performing material that includes improved flowability for increased design flexibility.
  
  
• Giggle — Like the soda bubbles that tickle your nose, this lighthearted orange hue will tickle any designer's fancy. This shade was also designed in Makrolon® 2405 polycarbonate plastic resin, which features a broad processing window that permits faster cycling and higher productivity.
  

"As in years past, we used forecasted fashion and color trends to determine this season's go-to colors," said Michael George, site lab manager at Bayer MaterialScience LLC's Color Competence and Design Center. "From the clothes we wear to the products we buy, we evaluate a wide range of factors to arrive at the new palette of colors that equips product designers with the latest and greatest colors for the products they are creating."

Bayer MaterialScience LLC works actively with the design community, sponsoring and participating in the Industrial Designers Society of America's (IDSA) five district conferences. In fact, the majority of the six new colors were named by IDSA conference attendees through naming contests held during these events a few weeks ago. The winners were: David Thimm (Sharkskin); Faith Gagliardi, Wentworth Institute of Technology (Joker); David Randle (Cayman); and Christian LaPointe, New Jersey Institute of Technology (Giggle).

"Involving designers and design students in naming our new colors is just one more example of the collaborative environment Bayer MaterialScience is developing with the design community," said Skabardonis.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC's business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC's Makrolon® polycarbonate resin, call 1-800-662-2927, e-mail PCinfo@bayer.com or naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.

Media Contact(s)
Contact:	Bill Allan
Tel:	412-777-5200
Company:	Bayer MaterialScience
e-mail:	bill.allan@bayerbms.com

The color experts at Bayer MaterialScience LLC have once again developed new hues that designers can use to put a distinctive mark on their creations. Pictured top left and moving clockwise are: Orinoco, Bluff, Joker, Giggle, Cayman and Sharkskin.