Patent ID: 8501866

Claim:
A method of making a colorant concentrate for a thermoplastic biofiber composite, comprising the steps of: (a) melt mixing a carrier resin selected from a group consisting of low-density polyethylene, linear-low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and combinations thereof, colorant, and any optional additives in a chamber to form a melt concentrate; (b) extruding the melt concentrate through a mini-bead die; and (c) pelletizing the melt concentrate under water to form pellets of a shape of microbeads such that at least 50 pellets have a total mass of less than one gram, wherein (1) melt flow index of the concentrate exceeds at least 4 g/10 min. using ASTM D-1238 and (2) weight percent of colorant exceeds at least 30 weight percent of the weight of the concentrate.