Photo courtesy of Heucotech. |
Peter Carey-Yard, marketing director, coatings, high performance pigments for Sun Chemical, said that the pigments market worldwide was generally good, especially in Europe, but the U.S. market is struggling.
“The U.S. is currently the most challenging region of the world for the pigments market, primarily due to a weakened dollar, a struggling automotive market and a housing slump that led to a decline in home building and paint use,” Mr. Carey-Yard said.
“It was a slow start the first half of 2007,” said Andrew Grabacki, vice president of sales for General Press Colors. “We picked up the second half of the year. From what we have heard, it was about the same for everyone else.”
“Lansco Colors had a strong year in 2007,” said Frank Lavieri, executive vice president and general manager for Lansco Colors. “The business conditions were challenging due to the dramatic cost increases experienced by the pigment industry.”
David Woolven, head, imaging & inks business line NAFTA, coating effects segment, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, said that overall, the 2007 pigment market performed quite well, particularly in the commercial, packaging, digital and specialty segments. “The market for unique types of pigments and unique application areas continue to grow steadily, as brand owners become more demanding in terms of effects, performance and differentiation,” Mr. Woolven added. “For Toyo, 2007 was above plan and saw a greater focus on high performance, violet, blue, red, magenta and green pigments,” said Chris Whiston, regional marketing manager, Toyo Color America, LLC.
Ibrahim Zidan, head of global technical marketing printing inks for Clariant International AG, said that the past year included several challenges for Clariant and the pigment industry.
“The main challenge was and remains the strong increase of costs for raw materials, energy and transportation,” Mr. Zidan said. “The elimination of export incentives in China, an increased focus on the resolution of environmental issues leading to tightened supply and a strong fluctuation between major currencies rank among the top influential factors. Demand remained strong for Clariant’s products and services, confirming the need for high performing, cost effective materials in combination with a strong service orientation around the globe.”
Thierry Chevrier, director, performance chemicals – coatings, plastics and specialties, for BASF in North America, said the pigment industry is relatively flat and growing slightly below gross domestic product (GDP) in North America. “Some segments, including markets for products in the building and construction industry, were soft,” Mr. Chevrier noted. “Other segments, including the automotive industry and pigments for additives, reflected the industry fluctuations that have taken place. On the positive side, we saw growth in the plastic packaging and specialty ink segments.”
Badal Shah, director, marketing at Aakash Chemicals & Dye-Stuffs, Inc., said that 2007 was a memorable year for his company. “It was a year which saw a complete economy of change,” Mr. Shah said. “The U.S. economy incurred serious setbacks due to its depreciating currency as well as severe credit woes sparked by the housing market. These issues coupled with record oil prices, strengthening foreign economies as well as currencies, and pollution problems, created a shortage in raw material supply, increased prices, and longer lead times.
“This past year was an interesting journey for Heubach and the pigment producers in general,” said Don McBride, COO for Heucotech Ltd. “On one side there was the continued rise in oil and key raw materials, combined with erratic metal pricing, U.S. dollar weakness and elimination of the VAT in China. On the other hand Heubach introduced several new pigments, added inorganic pigment capacity in Europe, built our third organic pigment facility in Asia and laid the groundwork for a new business unit in NAFTA.”
“China began the price increase after the government retracted the export rebate from all factories, thus immediately increasing all prices by an average of 13 percent,” Mr. Shah said. “This affected all raw materials in general from resins to pigments. Immediately markets began shifting in favor of India. However, within three months, the Indian currency had risen to record value against the dollar and all prices began increasing once again. The world market was in a tailspin and was forced to undesirably accept price increases. As many suppliers were lost in the increases, Aakash Chemicals saw this as opportunity and began to re-strategize. Our new strategies were deemed successful as Aakash Chemicals had a record year and a very positive lookout for 2008.”
The U.S. pigment industry continues to face its own challenges: “2007 has seen the continuation of the decline in the color pigment business in the USA,” said A. Nurhan Becidyan, president, United Mineral & Chemical Corporation.
“The pigments market continued to consolidate in 2007 – a clear indicator that margins are down overall in the pigments market,” said Russell Schwartz, vice president, colors technology, high performance pigments, Sun Chemical.
There were changes, as companies integrated acquisitions.
“For BASF, we consider 2007 to have been a very solid year despite the challenges we faced during the integration of former Engelhard products into our portfolio,” Mr. Chevrier said. “Now that we have completed the integration process, BASF has a stronger and broader product portfolio as well as a stronger channel to market. We continued to invest in our pigment business even though we are seeing some apparent contraction in the industry with several announced plant closings.”
Fred Altieri, vice president of new product development at EC Pigments USA, an operating division of European Color plc., said the major activity for EC Pigments USA in 2007 was the acquisition of the product line and intellectual property of Magruder Color Company. “This acquisition and subsequent capital investment and expansion of our Fall River facility has positioned the company at the start of 2008 as either the only or one of the very few companies that are vertically integrated to produce pigments process in presscakes and/or dry toner and then further process to flush color, acrylic chips and liquid dispersions,” Mr. Altieri said.
All in all, it was a time of change for the pigment industry.
“For 2007, the pigments industry saw a continued reduction in overall global capacity,” said Edward daPonte, global marketing manager, Flint Group Pigments. “For most pigment producers, the market situation remains difficult with returns on investments at unacceptable levels. As to Flint Group Pigments, in 2007 we continued to grow our product portfolio, geographic footprint and worldwide sales. We still do not believe, however, that the current margins within the industry reflect the appropriate return on products of this nature given their capital investment requirements and the ever tightening environmental regulations.”
Raw Material
Costs and Supply
Pigment manufacturers are struggling with the dual spectres of higher costs and supply challenges. In terms of increasing costs, higher prices are a major concern across the board.
Mr. Zidan said that Clariant expects further raw material price increases among key ingredients in 2008, including isophthalic acid, phthalic anhydride and copper; hydrochloric and sulfuric acids; acetic acid and ethylene; DCB and arylides; and bon acid and 4B-acid.
Mr. Woolven said that virtually all chemicals based on petrochemical derivatives are affected, specifically Red Lake C (C-acid, beta-naphtol); 2B Toner (2B-acid, BONA); 4B Toner (4B-acid, BONA); azo red (BONA); copper phthalo cyanines (CPC crude), as well as some additives and photoinitiators. “Through long-term relationships with our raw materials partners, Ciba has been able to secure a solid supply of critical raw materials to maintain continuity with our customers,” Mr. Woolven added.
“Pigment, resin, oil and energy costs have all gone up,” Mr. Grabacki said. “Pigment is of the most concern for us. However, oil and resin, which were a small cost in our formulations, are becoming more of a concern because it has been such a dramatic increase. At this time there are no shortages for our raw materials.”
“Raw materials based on petroleum and inorganic pigments tied to rising metal prices have impacted our product costs dramatically,” Mr. Chevrier said. “BASF makes every effort to contain costs while maintaining high quality standards; however, price increases are necessary to maintain margins for reinvestment.”
Shigeki Kato, general manager, pigments division, color materials business headquarters, Toyo Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd., reported that prices for various kinds of raw materials continue to rise. “In particular, we’re concerned about the jump in raw material costs for red and yellow pigments,” Mr. Kato said. “We’re also keeping a close eye on the material costs of blue, green and violet.”
Photo courtesy of BASF. |
“There are shortages of raw materials and pigments right now due to preparations in China for the 2008 Olympics,” Mr. Lavieri said. “Product quality is also being impacted by this issue. Lansco Colors, however, is taking steps to assure the consistent supply of quality products for our customers and we do not expect to be negatively impacted by these shortages.”
“We rely on many materials from China,” Mr. Kato said. “What concerns us is the risk of an abrupt stop or supply shortage from Chinese raw materials suppliers due to the recent tightening of environmental restrictions by the Chinese government.”
“There may be a possibility of several Chinese intermediate and pigment plants closing due to the fact that the local government considers them to be either pollution risks or resource intensive,” Mr. Chevrier said. “We’ve seen spot shortages of certain raw materials, but long-term we do not anticipate any major supply dislocations.”
Pigment manufacturers have held prices down as long as they could, and have had no choice but to increase prices in light of the higher costs they are facing.
“As long as oil and energy continue to increase, the pigment industry will feel the pressure to pass on what cannot be absorbed due to current business conditions,” Mr. McBride said. “Shortages and further increases in cost are occurring due to tightness of basic raw materials and metals due to surge in demand in developing countries. The relation of the U.S. dollar with respect to the currencies in Europe and Asia are also a factor depending on where materials are sourced or produced. The Heubach companies are constantly seeking to eliminate cost and provide value to our customers.”
“Despite accelerated restructuring efforts, Clariant has not been able to any longer compensate for the significant raw material and energy price increases by cost savings,” Mr. Zidan said. “The cost increases have been partly passed on in order to remain a reliable, predictable and accountable supplier. Clariant will continue to monitor cost developments carefully and respond with appropriate measures, accordingly.”
“To some extent, Ciba reduces the impact of raw material cost increases through process improvements and other cost control exercises,” Mr. Woolven said. “Increases in costs that cannot be mitigated through process improvements are shared with our customers. Ciba was successful in passing some of these incremental costs along in 2007.”
Mr. Carey-Yard said there is probably no short-term relief in sight for these rising costs mainly because the increasing price of raw materials is driven by oil. “At Sun Chemical, we’re working to control our own costs closely with our supply chain partners and to improve our internal operations,” he said. “These efforts have helped offset some rising raw material costs, such as linseed oil, soy bean oil and rosin. However, the increases seen in many areas have outpaced our ability to offset them. As a result, we have had to pass some of these costs on in the way of price increases to our customers. Since we expect no relief in the higher costs of raw materials, it is likely that more price increases may be needed in the future.”
Mr. daPonte said that shortages are more of a concern now than in any time within the last decade.
“The fact is that many suppliers have exited,” Mr. daPonte said. “Those capacities are gone and will not come back. More will exit, this is certain. At some point the reality of shortages needs to be understood throughout the market and given a better base of understanding. For a few pennies a kilo you can get cheaper prices; however, the question is will that supplier be around when you need them a year from now?”
Mr. daPonte also noted that the increased regulatory concerns will also have an impact on pigment capacity, as some pigment manufacturers may opt out of the market.
“Additional regulatory requirements will also strain the supply base and we expect some will not make the needed investments and instead choose to exit,” Mr. daPonte said. “When we speak of these companies, we should note that we are not just speaking of far-off third world suppliers. We have seen the exit of some very reputable and highly respected companies that frankly just cannot live with the poor financial performance of these products.
“The pigment industry will continue to be impacted by higher raw material costs,” Mr. daPonte concluded. “Demand for these sources of raw materials continues to increase while at the same time capacity is leaving the market. The pigments industry does not operate in a vacuum. Many of the raw materials needed to produce pigments are also in demand by industries not related to pigments and in many cases the demand by these other industries far exceed that of the pigments market. As to passing on the costs, it is essential that costs move upstream for this industry to continue to be a viable contributor.”
Recent Trends
There are good growth areas for ink manufacturers, and pigment companies are responding to these markets. For example, Mr. Kato said that Toyo sees electronic and labeling applications as growth areas, while Mr. Zidan pointed to inks for outdoor bags and decorative lamination as well as environmentally friendly inks
UV is another area of expansion. “For us there still is a large growth in UV offset,” Mr. Grabacki said.
“We are seeing tremendous growth in the UV ink market for both offset and flexo printers,” Mr. Carruthers said. “Printers want fast-drying ink that will save them money, time and waste. We also see growth in digital for both conventional and UV digital inks.”
“Packaging inks continue to grow where marketers depend on unique packages that distinguish their products,” Mr. daPonte reported. “As for publication, these markets are quite mature in the developed countries but there is still healthy growth in Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia.”
“The ink industry is currently reacting to various trends in the end use markets such as sustainable packaging and digital printing, which is continuing to see strong growth,” Mr. Woolven said. “This pull-through atmosphere fuels solution development between pigment manufacturers like Ciba and our partners in these rapidly growing markets.”
“As a market-focused company, we see opportunities for growth in specialty areas such as security inks for legal documents, currency, government papers and in the gaming industry,” Mr. Chevrier said. “It is in these applications where BASF is able to achieve differentiation due to our technological strengths and our ability to develop innovative products for these more demanding applications.”
Mr. Chevrier said that BASF is well-positioned to take advantage of these changes. “We can offer our customers the benefit of our global reach – which we can utilize to streamline supply chain activities for intermediates, and to offer superb technical support, relatively short shipping times, quality assurance, and just-in-time delivery advantages,” Mr. Chevrier said.
Challenges and Opportunities
Pigment industry leaders noted their industry is facing many challenges in the years ahead.
“We feel the most difficult challenges are the increase in raw materials, foreign competition, overcapacity and the reemergence of dry pigment,” Mr. Grabacki said.
“Various regulatory affairs initiatives will challenge the pigment and ink industries in the coming years, particularly the re-classification of chemical substances in Canada and under the REACH initiative in Europe,” Mr. Woolven said. “Ciba has the benefit of our Ciba Expert Services group, which is well-versed in regulatory affairs. This allows us to in turn support our customer base from a global perspective on these challenging new mandates.”
“The pigments industry faces a number of challenges related to costs, including offshore manufacturing, Chinese imports, and costs related to compliance with REACH regulations in Europe,” Mr. Carruthers said. “Sun Chemical is responding to these challenges by working to control our own costs and improve our internal operations to develop products that can help customers grow their business. We will continue to invest in those areas that provide our customers with innovative products and services allowing them to be more competitive and present the best value propositions in the market.”
“As the global arena develops, the sensitivity to cost will continue to challenge the service and quality traits of our pigments,” Mr. McBride said. “Pigments and pigment preparations, such as TICO, will have to be suited for specific applications to obtain desired properties while providing efficiency with economics. High end markets, such as automotive pigments will have different performance criteria than disposable packaging. At the same time the more developed economies will focus on environmental/regulatory matters such as REACH, recycling or air quality with volatile organic emissions. These considerations will affect cost but will be seen as necessary to sustain our business.”
“The US economic slump will impact our pigments business since the industries our customers operate in – ink, plastics and paint – are linked to general consumer demand. We're exploring niche application areas for which we can make use of our accumulated pigments technology and know-how,” Mr. Kato said.
“Raw material prices and availability continue to be challenges,” Mr. daPonte said. “As demand grows, we will need to be resourceful as to how we develop sources of material. We are also experiencing considerable fluctuation in currency rates, which demands greater flexibility as to how and where we produce and market our products. As with all industries, the pigment industry must continue to face increased regulatory requirements. These requirements most always come with a price tag but, for companies that are prepared, it is a another way to highlight their commitment to the market and long term sustainability as a supplier.”
“While the VAT refund elimination, REACH and other regulatory issues will continue to have an effect on the pigment industry, BASF is well-positioned to address the market with a broad range of manufacturing assets combined with a strong track record of innovation and a strong market presence,” Mr. Chevrier said. “We are looking forward to the challenges as we feel we are the best prepared to address and benefit from them.”
Expectations for 2008
Pigment manufacturers are cautiously optimistic about the coming year, although they agree there are major obstacles to overcome.
“2008 has gotten off to a good start,” Mr. Grabacki said. “We do not have high hopes since the industry has been unpredictable over the past several years. We are cautiously optimistic.”
“Ciba’s expectations for 2008 remain optimistic,” Mr. Woolven said. “Lucrative industry segments like commercial, packaging and specialty will continue to grow.”
“I fully expect that we will see growth at Flint Group Pigments, particularly in the specialty market,” Mr. daPonte noted. “Along with growth, I see continued increase in raw material and regulatory costs. Tight supply of some major products will also be seen. REACH will demand more attention in 2008 as the pre-registration drive moves forward.”
Mr. Shah said 2008 may prove to be another volatile year as the U.S. currency is expected to devalue by 6 to 7 percent and India and China will again strengthen in their currency value. “With the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the government is expected to announce more factory closings so as to show their effort in pollution control,” Mr. Shah added. “From what we are expecting, prices will once again be increasing and relatively unstable. Aakash Chemicals believes 2008 will be the best year to date as we expand to open new factories, develop new product lines and invest in new technologies.”
There will be an emphasis on new technologies as well.
“Our research and development capabilities will continue to bring new product solutions for our customers in 2008,” Mr. Carey-Yard said.
“At Sun Chemical, we will capitalize on our global research and development capabilities and collaborate closely with DIC, our parent company, to work with customers in developing products that can help them increase revenue and grow their businesses. We will continue using a custom-tailored approach to meet the needs of our customers by designing pigments that will specifically benefit the new products manufactured by our customers,” Mr. Schwartz said.
“Heubach expects to launch several technologies in the upcoming year to sustain our growth,” Mr. McBride said. “The focus on pigments and preparations will be ensure compliance with environmental regulations of tomorrow as well as the day after.”
“With the expected economic downturn in North America, we anticipate softness in construction and automobile related markets,” Mr. Chevrier said. “The industrial coatings and plastic packaging segments, on the other hand, continue to look promising in 2008, and we see even greater growth for inks, security printing and industrial inks.”
Changes in China’s Pigment Industry Impact Ink ManufacturersThe decisions by China in 2007 to eliminate or significantly reduce VAT refunds on pigments and pigment intermediates as well as shut down smaller pigment operations for environmental reasons was critical for ink manufacturers. The end results, higher prices and a decrease in supply, have forced ink manufacturers to scramble. Further, the decline of the U.S. dollar is also creating pressures on U.S.-based ink companies. “The elimination and/or reduction of VAT by China has had a significant effect on the cost of raw materials and finished goods, driving them up by as much as 8 percent and 13 percent, respectively,” David Woolven, head, imaging & inks business line NAFTA, coating effects segment, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, said. “What’s more, the prices for additives and pigments from India and China increased by approximately 5 to 10 percent due to appreciation of local currencies on top of VAT and EHS effects. VAT changes and an accelerated de-coupling of the currency, as well as more stringent regulatory compliance issues, will result in fewer suppliers to marginal industry segments. Having said this, Chinese market growth remains unprecedented and domestic demand for these products will continue at a high level.” “By eliminating the refund of VAT for exported pigments, the costs of pigments from China have risen by 13 percent. The vast majority of pigments come from China and India. Between the China export issues and the value of the Indian rupee continuing to rise, we expect cost pressures to continue,” said Peter Carey-Yard, marketing director, coatings, high performance pigments, Sun Chemical. The added emphasis on the environment is also playing an increased role in the Chinese pigment market. “Not only changes in VAT but also the rigorous enforcement of environmental policies have caused supply/demand balances to shift from long to short, resulting in considerable price increases of raw materials,” said Martin P. J. John, head of global marketing special printing for Clariant International AG. With fewer pigment suppliers, both domestic and offshore, available, pigment prices are further in flux. “Prices went up dramatically,” said Andrew Grabacki, vice president of sales for General Press Colors. “The domestic suppliers are more price competitive. However, over the last several years there are less domestic suppliers in business.” “This started the wheels in motion for increased costs for many of the pigments used in the ink industry as well as other markets,” said Don McBride, COO for Heucotech Ltd. “In some cases, companies were forced to look for new sourcing due to closures of plants due to government/environmental concerns.” Pigment manufacturers have had to reflect the situation within China in their own prices. “Certainly, raw materials have become more expensive, and these costs need to be offset with price increases,” said Thierry Chevrier, director, performance chemicals – coatings, plastics and specialties, for BASF in North America. “The VAT refund elimination represents a double-edge sword for BASF. On the one hand, because many of our intermediates are sourced in Asia, the VAT reduction adds increased raw materials costs to higher transportation costs, and we continue to investigate other options to maintain price competitiveness. On the other hand, pigments from China now are more competitively priced. We believe, though, that BASF can still demonstrate the best total cost of ownership.” Further consolidation is likely in China, according to Chris Weighill, vice president, general manager, ink industry, high performance pigments for Sun Chemical. “We expect consolidation to occur in the Chinese pigment market with smaller factories closing and larger volume plants emerging,” said Mr. Weighill. Edward daPonte, global marketing manager, Flint Group Pigments, said that even in light of the changes in China, he does not foresee an increase in the European or North American pigment businesses. “We do not expect much in the way of structural changes,” Mr. daPonte added. “Within the last decade, pigment and intermediate production has shifted away from Europe and North America to Asia. Asia has grown its end use markets over the last decade, shifting the consumption base. If you couple this with insufficient investment returns, we believe it is unlikely that there will be any investments into infrastructure in Europe or North America for pigments and intermediates. In fact, we believe there will be more rationalization in these areas out of the western markets.” Maurice Carruthers, vice president, merchant ink business unit, high performance pigments at Sun Chemical, noted that a key difference between China and the U.S. pigment industries is that China typically manufactures dry color pigments while the U.S. manufactures flush color pigments. With prices changing, there may be a shift back to the U.S. and flush colors. “Flush color pigments are pre-dispersed when sold to customers while dry color pigments are not dispersed at all,” Mr. Carruthers said. “Naturally, this means that flush color pigments cost more – a big reason why many North and South American customers turned to the less expensive alternative from China over the past decade. “Now with dry pigment prices increasing, purchasing pigments from China is not as advantageous as it used to be,” Mr. Carruthers added. “This means that there will likely be a slow trend of North and South American customers switching back to purchasing flush color pigments manufactured primarily in the U.S. Thanks to the strength of the euro, European customers will likely continue to purchase pigments from China and the U.S.” – David Savastano |
New Pigments
The following listing includes new pigment products introduced to the ink industry last year.
Aakash Chemicals & Dye-Stuffs, Inc.
561 Mitchell Road
Glendale Heights, IL. 60139
Phone: (630)469-3838
Fax: (630)469-2255
Web: www.aakashchemicals.com
E-mail: info@aakashchemicals.com
New Products:
• Pearlescent Pigments (Silver/White Series, Gold Series, and Crystal Colored Series)
Apollo Colors Inc.
1401 Mound Road
Rockdale, IL 60436
Phone: (815) 741-2588
Fax: (815) 741-2599
Web: www.apollocolors.com
E-mail: lbykerk@apollocolors.com
New Products:
• Y-174 Diarylide Yellow – High Solids Quickset
Comments: Y-174 was a new pigment for Apollo in 2007. This high performance yellow delivers improved flow and excellent press stability while providing the inkmaker with a vehicle system that is compatible across a wide variety of let down varnishes.
• MERCURY Imitation Reflex Blue – Heatset
Comments: Apollo Colors added another product to our MERCURY heatset line. This flush should be used in place of alkali blue where aqueous overprinting is required.
BASF
100 Campus Drive
Florham Park, NJ 07922
Phone: (800) 962-7829
Fax: (800) 971-1123
Web: www.basf.com/?utm_source=INK&utm_medium=ContentMarketing&utm_campaign=INK/usa
E-mail: john.schmidt@basf.com
New Products:
Comments: BASF has a broad portfolio of products dedicated for different industries. For the ink industry and the specialty ink sectors of the ink industry, BASF offers high quality azo pigments manufactured in its Louisville, KY facility. BASF manufactures a variety of specialty products for the more demanding sectors of the ink industry including:
• Water and solvent soluble dyes for the writing ink and check paper segments.
• Infrared transparent organic black pigments based on very sophisticated Perylene chemistry that is used in high-tech security applications requiring different mechanisms of labeling.
• A line of magnetic pigments for security applications.
• BASF's new line of effect pigments based on mica and glass flakes, which provides unique looks for various packaging and beverage ink applications.
• Inorganic pigments used for special printing application features in the construction area.
Ciba Specialty Chemicals
540 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Phone: (914) 785-2000
Fax: (914) 785-2211
Web: www.ciba.com/imagingandinks
E-mail: david.woolven@ciba.com
New Products:
• XYMARA Electra
Comments: XYMARA Electra are first generation highly conductive inks for rotary screen applications.
• TINUVIN 477-DW
Comments: TINUVIN 477-DW are a Novel Encapsulated Additive Technology (NEAT) application to Hydroxyphenyl Triazine light stabilizers for waterborne systems.
• XYMARA Quicksilver SF-02
Comments: XYMARA Quicksilver SF-02 is the first of a new range of inks for the graphic arts industry that will extend Ciba’s delivery forms for vacuum metallized pigments.
Flint Group Pigments
305 Ring Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Phone: (270) 737-1700
Fax: (270) 737-0318
Web: www.pigments.flintgrp.com
E-mail: info@pigments.flintgrp.com
New Products:
• Colt Series: Quickset Flushes 12FQ493, 57FQ494, 15FQ495
Comments: The Colt series is the latest addition to Flint Group Pigments flush product line. These newly developed sheetfed flushes demonstrate superior gloss while maintaining improved setspeed. Along with its outstanding print qualities, the Colt series produces relatively long, flowing ink bodies. In addition, it has excellent emulsification behavior which produces trouble free, forgiving press performance.
General Press Colors, Ltd.
120 Fairbank St.
Addison, IL 60101
Phone:(800) 252-4725
Fax: (630) 543-4657
Web: www.generalpresscolors.com
E-mail: andyg@gpclflush.com
New Products:
• “Green” line of flushes
Comments: General Press Colors had developed a “Green" line of environmentally friendly flushes.
• AAA yellow Q/S and H/S flush
Comments: AAA yellow Q/S and H/S flush offer excellent flow and gloss, and are transparent.
• 100% solids process line
Comments: 100% solids process line offers excellent set speed.
Heucotech Ltd.
99 Newbold Road
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
Phone: (215) 736-0712 ext. 117
Fax: (215) 736-2249
Web: www.heubachcolor.com
E-mail: donmcbride@heubachcolor.com
New Products:
• Monolite Red 325401
Comments: Monolite Red 325401 is a clean, medium shade red with very good coloristic and fastness properties based on Diketopyrrolo-Pyrrole chemistry. The pigment shows good hiding power and very good fastness to organic solvents. While PR 254 is used in various applications, this product is designed for use in industrial coatings.
• Monolite Red 312201
Comments: Monolite Red 312201 is a very clean blue shade red. Its main areas of application are in high quality paints, printing inks and plastics. In addition to good weather fastness properties, this PR 122 displays excellentfastness to migration and outstanding heat stability.
• Heuco Red 317601
Comments: Heuco Red 317601 is based on benzimidazolone chemistry and provides a blue shade red. PR 254 can be used in plastics as well as offset, lamination and gravure water borne inks.
• Vynamon Yellow 118303
Comments: Vynamon Yellow 118303 is a monoazo calcium pigment which is a clean red shade yellow. The primary use is plastics due to excellent fastness properties.
• Monolite Yellow 107405
Comments: Monolite Yellow 107405 is a monoazo greenish yellow. It is used primarily in the paint industries.
• Vynamon Yellow 106203
Comments: Vynamon Yellow 106203 which is a monoazo calcium pigment producing colors in the medium to reddish yellow range and shows good fastness to plasticizers.
• Monolite Yellow 108303 and 108304
Comments: Monolite Yellow 108303 and Monolite Yellow 108304 are disazo yellows, which provide a reddish yellow hue and excellent fastness properties, which makes it almost universally applicable.
• Heuco Green 600734 and 600735
Comments: Heuco Green 600734 and 600735 are brilliant phthalocyanine greens used primarily in all types of ink applications for their durability and clarity. The Vynamon grades exhibit 10% more strength in plastics.
• Heuco Yellow 115002
Comments: Heuco Yellow 115002 is an azo/nickel complex, medium shades of yellow. It is very lightfast in printing inks and heat stable up to 140°C and is particularly suitable in decoration printing inks for laminates.
• Monastral Blue FGXN
Comments: Monastral Blue FGXN is a PB 15:4, which is a β-Copper Phthtalocyanine stabilized toward flocculation. This product shows largely the same coloristic and fastness properties as PB 15:3 types, but exhibit much better rheology, transparency and gloss.
• Vynamon Blue 3RFWN
Comments: Vynamon Blue 3RFWN is a red shade Indanthrone Blue which exhibits excellent light and weathering fastness. The pigment has the advantage of being highly heat stable even in 1/25 SD.
• Heucodur IR Black 910 and Heucodur IR Black 950
Comments: Heucodur IR Black 910 is a Chromium Green-Black and Heucodur IR Black 950 is a Chrome Iron Nickel Black. These two new black CICPs do have IR reflecting properties. With the help of IR pigments the absorption of NIR-light can be minimized if IR-reflecting black pigments are utilized and the heat-build up can be reduced accordingly.
• TICO Yellow 591, TICO Yellow 623 and TICO Red 644
Comments: Three new products specially designed for powder coatings were introduced: TICO Yellow 591, TICO Yellow 623 & TICO Red 644. TICO products are titanium based high performance yellow, orange and red hybrid pigments which exploits the natural synergies between the inorganic and the organic pigment components. These lead-free alternatives provide a variety of advantages such as outstanding weather fastness properties high saturation, opacity and gloss, easy dispersibility, low dusting properties, reduced oil absorption.
Lansco Colors
305 West Grand Ave.
Montvale, NJ 07645
Phone: (201) 307-5995
Fax: (201) 307-5855
Web: www.pigments.com
E-mail: frank@pigments.com
New Products:
• 1176 Benzimidazolone Red 176
Comments: This is a new Red 176 type with good lightfastness and transparency. The product is recommended for all ink systems as well as paint and plastics applications.
• 2414 Diarylide Yellow 14 HSPC
Comments: This is a very opaque Yellow 14 with excellent coverage on kraft paper and corrugated cardboard. The product has superior viscosity and does not have the odor present in some competitive opaque yellow 14’s.
Pidilite Industries Limited
Ramkrishna Mandir Road
Kondivita Village
Andheri East
Mumbai, India 400 059
Phone: +91 22 2835 7000
Fax: +91 22 2835 7008
E-mail: sykamat@pidilite.com
New Products:
• PY 74 Acrolite Fast Yellow 7GPC
Comments: Transparent pigment for PVB, NC and polyamide-based inks.
• PY 83 Acrolite Fast Yellow PR 08
Comments: Transparent pigment for NC, polyamide and other media.
• PO 34 Acrolite Fast Orange HPL
Comments: Opaque, good rehological pigment can replace molybadate orange for liquid ink.
• PR 2 Acrolite Fast Red PRNB
Comments: Controlled PCB level having good rehological properties for aqueous inks.
• PR 112 Acrolite Fast Red BBY
Comments: Controlled PCB level having good rehological properties for aqueous inks
• PR 122 Acrolite Fast HP Pink PE Comments: Multiporpous grade for liquid ink and water-based ink.
• PV 19 Acrolite HP Red P5B Comments: Multiporpous grade for liquid ink and water-based ink.
• PV 23 Acrolite Fast Violet PAVU 3040
Commens: Transparent pigment, better gloss and viscosity for polyamide-based inks.
• PV 23 Acrolite Fast Violet SPUR
Comments: Transparent pigment, better gloss & viscosity for PU-based inks.
Sun Chemical Performance Pigments
5020 Spring Grove Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45232
Phone: (513) 681-5950 ext. 469
Fax: (513) 632-1537
Web: www.sunpigments.com
New Products:
• SpectraFlex
Comments: SPECTRAFLEX brings a wide portfolio of color effects ranging from opalescent white to intense iridescences with a transparent and low luster appearance.
• SunPEARL Shadows
Comments: The illusion of authentic pearl in shades of silver, gold, blue or green is now possible in cosmetics and personal care products with the new SunPEARL Shadows, part of the SunPEARL Pearlescent product line from Sun Chemical. The innovative pigment portfolio allows cosmetic companies to create makeup products that radiate a range of colors when viewed at different angles without requiring a white base.
• Fastogen Super Red 254
Comments: An opaque yellow shade red pigment that offers excellent stability and is extremely cost-effective for use in high performance plastics applications.
• Fanchon Yellow 150
Comments: A clean green shade monoazo yellow pigment for use in high performance plastics applications.
• Blue 60
Comments: A blue pigment designed for plastics.
• Quindo Red 19
Commments: Quindo Red 19 is a semi-opaque quinacridone pigment that exudes a strong bright yellow-red shade with exceptional transparency.
United Mineral & Chemical Corporation
1100 Valley Brook Ave.
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
Phone: (201) 507-3300
Fax: (201) 507-1506
Web: www.umccorp.com
E-mail: inquiry@umccorp.com
New Products:
• “Glow in the Dark” pigment for litho/offset inks
Comments: UMC is proud to announce our its grade of LumiNova (glow in the dark) pigment for litho/offset and pad printing inks. The fine particle size of our LumiNova GLL-300FFS-3 averages less than 1.5 microns. This fine particle size enables better ink transfer, which makes it suitable to be used in litho/offset and pad printing inks. LumiNova is the brand name of a newly developed and patented phosphorescent pigment family that has an initial brightness 10 times brighter and an afterglow 10 times longer than conventional phosphorescent pigments at equivalent loadings.