Eastman Chemical Company

Clarence A Coates

Max Allen Weaver

James J Krutak

William W Parham

Michael R Cushman

Gabor Patonay

Provided are new compounds useful as near infrared fluorophoric markers. In the practice of this invention a method is also provided for tagging thermoplastic containers using near infrared fluorescing compounds or copolymerized residues readily capable of detection. The new compounds are phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine derivatives which are covalently bonded to substituted silicon and aluminum compounds. The methods, compositions, and compounds described herein thus provide a total system useful for marking, for identification purposes, the various classes of thermoplastic wastes, so that they can be identified, sorted, and subsequently recycled.

Method for tagging thermoplastic materials with near infrared

Provided is a method for tagging thermoplastic containers using near infrared fluorescing compounds or copolymerized residues readily capable of detection. Also provided is a method for identifying a thermoplastic container. Also provided are thermoplastic polymer compositions comprised of the near infrared fluorescing compounds or residues and articles comprised of such compositions. Also provided are new compounds useful as near infrared fluorophoric markers in the practice of this invention. The methods, compositions, and compounds of the present invention thus provide a total system useful for marking, for identification purposes, the various classes of thermoplastic wastes, so that they can be identified, sorted, and subsequently recycled.

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Blountville, TN, United States of America

Clarence A Coates