Patent ID: 7902274

Claim:
A method of using a colorant concentrate for a thermoplastic biofiber composite, comprising the steps of: (a) melt mixing the concentrate, biofiber, and a thermoplastic to form a melt composite; and (b) shaping the melt composite into a thermoplastic biofiber composite having coloration, wherein the concentrate comprises pellets of a shape of microbeads formed from extrusion through a mini-bead die and comprising carrier resin and colorant, wherein the carrier resin comprises low-density polyethylene, linear-low-density polyethylene, or polypropylene and wherein (1) melt flow index of the concentrate exceeds at least 4 g/10 min. using ASTM D-1238; (2) size of the pellets results in at least 50 pellets having a total mass of less than one gram; and (3) weight percent of the colorant exceeds at least 30 weight percent of the weight of the concentrate.