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.

AlliedSignal, Morris Township, NJ, offers Lumilux luminescent organic and inorganic pigments. Available in colors from deep blue to red, the line offers a wide range of afterglow and fluorescent effects, according to the company. Lumilux pigments can be formulated into master batches and can be used in paints and coatings as well as ceramic tiles, and plastics. AlliedSignal Inc.'s specialty chemical business had also published a new technical brochure on Lumilux N-Pigments.

Elementis Pigments has launched a new range of high performance red and yellow coatings grade pigments for both solvent and water-based systems. The products are sourced for its newly coatings grade plant in Shenzen, China. According to Don Bristow, the new facility, opened at the end of 1998, manufactures products identical to products produced by Elementis' other facilities, "so international customers can buy from anywhere."

Among the new products from the Chinese site are a lighter, greener share YLO1988D and darker, redder shade YLO2288D as well as Kroma reds R02097, R03097, R03097, Ro4597, R05097, R05597 and R06097. Also new from the company are low viscosity ultra yellows YV1988 and YV2288, which offer the ability to achieve higher loading levels than standard grade yellow iron oxides in waterborne and solvent-based grinding systems, according to the company. Elementis has also added the light yellow shade copperas red R1099D extender for organic pigments.

This spring, Ciba Specialty Chemicals launched Irgazin Red 2030, a new addition to the Irgazin 2000 series of high value, lead-free pigments. Suitable for decorative paints, industrial paints and powder coatings, Irgazin red 2030 offers high brilliance and excellent coverage as well as excellent weather and heat stability and outstanding flow properties, according to the company. Irgazin 2030 has a medium red share and can be used in water- and solvent-based systems.

Dominion Colour Corporation, Toronto, has expanded its business with the purchase of the assets of Pigments Newton. Pigments Newton was a short-lived manufacturer of azo organic pigments. The company was formed in 1995 and produced products at a plant in Quebec, which ceased production in July, 1998. DCC will re-commission the plant and will operate it through q wholly owned subsidiary, Dominion Colour Corp (Quebec). In addition to the facility gain in the transaction, DCC benefits from a new addition to its product line�Pigment Orange 5.

Engelhard Corp. has added new Mattex pigment to its line of products for the paint and coatings market. Mattex is a chemically structured, kaolin-based pigment the provides coatings manufacturers with a range of performance options for their formulations including low sheen, excellent touch-up properties, high opacity and whiteness and good film integrity, according to the company. Part of the Satintone pigment family, Mattex kaolin-based pigment can replace high-brightness, thermo-optic calcined kaolins and is well-pulverized to easily disperse in waterborne and solventborne systems. Although designed for flat finishes, Mattex pigment can also enhance eggshell and other trade sales and light maintenance coatings, according to Engelhard.

Wayne Pigments has added a number of corrosion inhibitive pigments and a stain inhibitive pigment, according to Jim Boldt, vice president. New additions include WAYNCOR 226 and 228 for solvent and waterborne, general industrial and trade sales paint applications and solvent and waterborne epoxy paint applications, respectively. Wayncor 226 features a chrome-free chemical composition, high corrosion inhibitive activity and efficient rheological performance; Wayncor 228 is characterized by a distinct, chrome-free chemical composition, high corrosion inhibitive activity and efficient rheological performance. Also new is Wayncor 204, a hybrid corrosion inhibitive pigment for thin film, high performance organic coatings and Stainban 209, a tannin stain inhibitive pigment for solvent and waterborne, general industrial, architectural and trade sales paint applications. According to Mr. Boldt, there is tremendous interest in stain blocking in Europe.

U.S. Aluminum, Inc., Flemington, NJ, offers Fireflake colored aluminum pigments, a line of flake pigments in six standard colors in a variety of particle sizes ranging from 11 to 74 microns. Fireflake pigments can extend the realm of color effects a stylist can create because they consist of inorganic or organic pigments that are physically and chemically bonded to the aluminum flake, according to the company. Fireflake pigments can be combined with other pigments to create color flop.

For more new pigment products, see pages 52-59 of the print version of Coatings World.