06.05.2026

Metal Look Masterbatches: Metallic Effects for Plastics Without Electroplating

High-quality metallic effects directly in the processing stage

Metallic surfaces stand for quality, precision and style. With the Metal Look series from Lifocolor, product designers and plastics processores can achieve brilliant effects directly during colouring in processing - without additional finishing steps such as coating, electroplating and galvanization. This result in a strong solution combining aesthetics, effeciency and process reliability.

The Metal Look series is based on specially selected effect pigments that create a realistic metallic appearance.

Premium appearance with a metallic look without post-processing

For the cosmetics industry and decorative packaging, visual appearance is a key purchasing factor.
Our Metal Look effect masterbatches are specifically developed to achieve high-quality surfaces in chrome, silver, bronze or champagne – directly in plastic.

Design, product and marketing professionals benefit from a premium aesthetic combined with additional advantages:

Design freedom: high-quality effect pigments create a convincing metallic appearance
Mono-material strategy: finishing steps such as coating or electroplating are no longer required – helping to keep the product material-consistent and supporting easier recycling
Substitution & lightweighting: replace heavier metal components with lightweight plastic while maintaining a premium look and reducing CO₂ footprint – e.g. for trims, housings and decorative parts

Cost efficiency meets process efficiency

Metal Look is the ideal solution wherever appearance, cost efficiency and processing efficiency need to align.

Reduced process steps: no coating or electroplating required
Efficient logistics: fewer production steps simplify procurement, reduce storage requirements and shorten lead times
Cost efficiency: attractive price-performance ratio with low dosing levels
Material efficiency: high opacity already from approx. 2% dosage

Flexible and versatile in processing

Metal Look effect masterbatches can be used in all common extrusion, injection moulding and blow moulding processes at temperatures up to 300 °C.

Standard formulations are available in silver, chrome, bronze and champagne, with both fine and coarse pigment structures.

The products are particularly suitable for transparent polymers and can be developed for all common material types (including PS, PET and PETG). All formulations are approved for food contact in accordance with EU Regulation No 10/2011; some are also FDA-compliant; and, if required, comparable alternative products can be developed

Key benefits of Metal Look masterbatches at a glance

unique metallic appearance, e.g. in Silver, Chrome, Bronze, Champagne
featuring unique metallic pigments for coarser or finer surface structures
no subsequent surface finishing required
suitable for all common extrusion, injection moulding and blow moulding processes up to 300°C
particularly suited to transparent polyolefins, developable for all common polymers including PS, PET and PETG
high opacity from a let-down ratio of just 2 %: cost-efficient and material-saving
excellent price-performance ratio, moderate colouring costs
approved in accordance with EU Regulation No. 10/2011 for food contact - some of which have FDA approval (alternatively, comparable products can be developed)

Request samples & discuss your project

Would you like to achieve metallic effects without electroplating? We are happy to advise you on suitable masterbatch solutions for your application.

Further links and information