Pigments I – Roundtable Organic Pigments Provide Value and Performance

By Cynthia Challener

Pigments not only play an important role in determining the look and style of paints and coatings but
also are one of the most value added components of these materials. Despite this fact, the slow growth of the paints and coatings market, downward price pressures from low-cost offshore producers, and potential consolidation together make for a challenging environment for pigment manufacturers. Analysts predict, however, that prices for high-end organic and specialty effect pigments should begin to increase soon.

Style and durability determine the application of different types of pigments in paints and coatings.
Organic and specialty effect pigments, which offer brilliant colors and interesting effects, and also
tend to be more expensive, find application in coatings for the automotive and broader OEM markets
as well as in consumer goods, particularly electronic products such as cell phones and computers.