Coatings World Q&A with OXERRA Americas

CW: What is the history and background of OXERRA?

Miles: OXERRA, the brand,  launched two years ago when the former Cathay Industries acquired Venator’s iron oxide pigment division. However, Cathay began in 1979.  The acquisition brought together two highly complementary businesses by aligning products, technologies, manufacturing sites, and experienced teams. Now, OXERRA leads the industry with the most extensive and advanced inorganic pigment portfolio in the world.

CW: What types of pigments do you offer for the paint and coatings industry? 

Miles: OXERRA’s Coatings, Plastics, and Specialties (CPS) division, focuses on providing a wide range of pigments for multiple applications requiring high performance pigments. That includes micronized iron oxides, chrome oxides, zinc ferrites, transparent iron oxides, high purity iron oxides, along with a full palette of complex inorganic colored pigments (CICPs). We’re also proud of our natural oxide pigments, like umbers, siennas, and ochres that are especially popular in wood finishes thanks to their rich color and semi-transparent properties.  All of our products showcase our commitment to quality, innovation, and helping customers find the right pigment solutions for their needs.

CW: What are the main applications for these pigments (architectural, industrial, etc.)? 

Miles: Our coatings pigments are widely used in both architectural and industrial applications. One standout example is our legacy Cathay LV yellow iron oxide pigments, which were developed to address the common issue of viscosity rise in yellow oxide formulations. These pigments continue to set the industry standard and are trusted by formulators globally. Our offerings are also complemented by a full line of heat-stable pigments that perform reliably in high-temperature coating applications, making them a go-to solution for demanding environments.

CW: In what ways can you help your customers select the best products to optimize their paint and coatings formulations? 

Miles: One of our biggest strengths is the technical expertise of our sales team. Many of them come from technical or formulation backgrounds, so they truly understand the challenges customers face. They’re not just selling products—they work closely with purchasing, operations, and R&D teams to find the right pigment solutions for each specific application. Ultimately, we aim to be more than just a supplier—we want to be a trusted partner in helping customers optimize their formulations.

CW: How does OXERRA strive to meet the demands of its customers? 

Miles: We meet our customers’ needs by providing high-quality, consistently manufactured products, making sure they’re available when and where they’re needed. Our global manufacturing footprint allows us to offer production flexibility and shorter lead times, helping customers stay on schedule and ahead of demand.

CW: What sets OXERRA apart from its competition?

Miles: OXERRA sets itself apart by focusing on what we do best, providing the best pigments in the world. Pigments are not just part of our business; it is our business. That level of specialization allows us to go deeper in terms of innovation, product quality, and customer support. Customers count on us not only for reliable products, but for guidance and partnership throughout the formulation process. That singular focus on pigments is what defines us globally.