A New System Developed for Livestock Ear Tags

Clariant has developed a new antimony trioxide-free system for the molding and laser marking of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) animal ear tags that enable identification of cattle and other farm animals. In collaboration with Coherent Inc., Clariant has developed a masterbatch additive that, when added to TPU commonly used in animal ear tag molding, enables the polymer to better absorb near-infrared laser light from Coherent laser markers. This antimony trioxide (ATO)-free substance is mainly used to further facilitate laser marking of TPU. In the Clariant masterbatch additive, antimony trioxide—classified by ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) as Carc.2 and H351 (suspected of causing cancer by inhalation)—has been replaced with another metalloid chemical and a special enrichment agent. This proprietary solution is currently in the patent approval stage.