Pigments Update 99

Although the color pigments market is small in comparison to its white counterpart-titanium dioxide-it is an indispensible part of the paint and coatings market. Without color pigments, the world would be a pretty dull place. According to market research statistics complied by SRI Consulting, the global color pigment market value exceeds $7.0 billion. Organic pigments, although smaller in volume, comprised the bulk of the market in terms of sales at $4.3 billion, according to SRI. Inorganic pigments account for $2.7 billion. Following the printing ink market, the paints and coatings market consumes the second largest amount of organic pigments, according to SRI. In a study conducted in 1995, market research and analysis firm Frost & Sullivan, Mountain View, CA, reported that the European market for inorganic pigment was estimated at just over $4 billion. The company contends the market will reach $6.3 billion by 2001, representing a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

New Developments Several pigment manufacturers have been active in recent months, launching new products and opening new facilities to improve their capacity and efficiency levels.