Bridget Klebaur, Associate Editor 08.13.13
The market for special effect and high performance pigments (HPP) has been slowly showing signs of improvement in 2013, despite the troubled economy. However, the market is still not back to pre-recession levels and competition is tough.
“Due to continued although slow, growth in the economy, we continue to see a positive upswing in the high performance and special effect pigments market in 2013,” said Scott Heitzman, global product manager- high performance pigments, Sun Chemical Performance Pigments. “Global demand for dyes and pigments is estimated to grow annually at a four percent rate. The demand in the United States is stronger due to the rebound in the housing market and strong automotive sales.”
Li Wu, co-owner and technical director at Trust Chem, explained that although their sales of high performance pigment have increased in volume, pricing and margins have also decreased.
“Competition is intense and expected to continue to increase,” Wu said. “But China has made great progress in a wide range of high performance pigments, including pearl pigment.”
According to Bob Poemer,
“Due to continued although slow, growth in the economy, we continue to see a positive upswing in the high performance and special effect pigments market in 2013,” said Scott Heitzman, global product manager- high performance pigments, Sun Chemical Performance Pigments. “Global demand for dyes and pigments is estimated to grow annually at a four percent rate. The demand in the United States is stronger due to the rebound in the housing market and strong automotive sales.”
Li Wu, co-owner and technical director at Trust Chem, explained that although their sales of high performance pigment have increased in volume, pricing and margins have also decreased.
“Competition is intense and expected to continue to increase,” Wu said. “But China has made great progress in a wide range of high performance pigments, including pearl pigment.”
According to Bob Poemer,
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