Pigments: drivers for development

According to Christine Bangert, BASF SE are the desire for individuality, functionality and sustainability at optimal cost drivers for the development of pigments. Recent introductions include new types of pearlescent; a high-opacity organic red; an inorganic orange with improved fastness and bright colour; sophisticated pigment blends, and dark pigments reflective to infra-red which reduce solar heat gain. Three of the main trends driving the technical development of pigments today, which apply to all market sectors, are:
- A high demand for individuality and ‘personalisation’;
- The need to extract maximum value from customer-supplier interactions;
- A strong focus on sustainable growth.
Recent developments focused on personalisation include a novel ‘colour-travel’ pigment technology and new pearlescent effect pigments that allow individual stylings and effects, widening choice for designers and consumers. The ever-increasing drive for added value has led to the creation of sophisticated pigment blends and new organic pigments with higher colour strength and saturation. Read a full paper in the September issue of the European Coatings Journal.