Ceresana Research has just completed an analysis of the global pigments market, reporting that the worldwide market for inorganic, organic and special pigments had a total volume of around 7.4 million tons in 2006.




Konstanz, Germany - Ceresana Research has just completed an analysis of the global pigments market, reporting that the worldwide market for inorganic, organic and special pigments had a total volume of around 7.4 million tons in 2006. At growth rates of 2.9 percent per annum, this volume will rise to 9.8 million tons by 2016. Asia has the highest rate on a quantity basis followed by Europe and North America. In 2006, a turnover of U.S. $17.6 billion (13 billion) was reached mostly in Europe, followed by North America and Asia. This is expected to reach U.S. $27.8 billion (20.4 billion) by 2016, corresponding to an annual growth rate of five percent. Although organic pigments account for only five percent of all pigments based on quantity, they cover 28 percent when based on their value.

Demand and production of pigments are continually shifting from the United States, Western Europe and Japan to the emerging markets of Asia, especially China and India. This is mainly due to lower wages and lenient environmental regulations in the region. Within emerging countries themselves, domestic demand for consumer products containing pigments is growing. While a few large suppliers of pigments dominate the relatively saturated markets of industrialized countries, Asian markets remain fragmented. New Asian suppliers constitute an additional margin pressure on established manufacturers.

Almost all industrial sectors need pigments, with printing ink, paints, lacquers and plastics all being growth markets. More and more manufacturers use new colors and visual effects for their packaging and advertising material. In addition, sectors such as cosmetics, paper, textiles, building materials, ceramics and glass make great demands on pigments to add more brilliance to their products. The textile industry increasingly substitutes pigments for dyes.

Growth in organic pigments will continue, as they offer a wide color spectrum and increasingly supplant heavy-metal pigments, as many environmental regulations restrict the use of lead, chromium and cadmium.

The study offers a view of the current market, leading up to the year 2016, and contains more than 250 manufacturer profiles within the pigments branch. The study also includes an overview of legislative, environmental and health aspects that affect this important market. The report is now available exclusively from Ceresana Research. For additional information, visit
www.ceresana.com/en/.