David Savastano, Ink World Editor03.11.09
“The first half of 2008 tracked better than expected despite the challenges related to escalating energy and raw material costs,” said Don McBride, COO of Heucotech Ltd. “The last few months of 2008 hindered any expectations of growth in the NAFTA region.”
“In general, 2008 was a difficult year for the pigment industry,” said Tom Ashe, vice president of MC Technology. “Unprecedented increases in raw materials along with a worldwide economic slowdown created challenges for the industry.MC Technology continued its success by focusing on our core mission of manufacturing high quality, consistent products that enable our customers to be the best they can be,”
“Overall, ECKART had a very good 2009, although the last quarter presented some tough trading conditions,” said Craig Reid, global head of marketing and business development, graphic arts for ECKART Graphic Arts. “This situation, we believe, affected many companies in our industry.”
“It was a challenging year,” said Andrew Grabacki, vice president of sales for General Press Colors. “It was a year that brought many peaks and valleys, more than we have probably seen in our company history. All of our raw material prices have increased along with containers and transportation costs. Therefore we no longer could absorb these increases and were forced to pass these costs along.”
“The second half of 2008 was difficult as the economic situation began to have a greater impact on consumers,” said Thierry Chevrier, director, performance chemicals – coatings, plastics and specialties, for BASF in North America. “For 2009, pigment suppliers will have to continue to offer value-added solutions that take into account the ‘total cost’ mindset of ink and coatings producers. The ability to innovate and deliver cost-effective solutions to the industry will be the key to success going forward.”
Even in this economic climate, some new pigment companies emerged: Brilliant Group, LLC entered the fluorescent pigment market, while Trust Chem USA was launched in the U.S.
“For the pigment industry in general, 2008 was a volatile year in terms of pricing and supply,” said Darren Bianchi, president of Brilliant Group, LLC. “The combination of crude oil prices, currency fluctuations and various supply restrictions on certain products made for massive unpredictability. The fluorescent world saw Brilliant as a new entrant into the marketplace, creating a much-needed alternate to the RPM conglomerate of DayGlo, Radiant and Dane Color UK (Swada, Sterling and NovaGlo). As a result, the fluorescent market was able to see some welcome price stability and is able to gain comfort in the availability of a credible alternate source.”
“Trust Chem USA was incorporated in January 2009,” said Rick Campbell, general manager – USA for Trust Chem USA. “Trust Chem worldwide had one of its best years of growth, with the most significant growth coming in the European Union. Many of the largest pigment buyers in Europe consider Trust Chem to be their most important source of Chinese organic pigment. In addition, in 2008, Trust Chem announced the opening of a new European office to improve their service and made a commitment to their customers that they will be one of the very few Chinese pigment suppliers to fully register a wide range of their pigment for the EU REACH program.”
Outside of Trust Chem, Mr. Campbell said that 2008 was a very difficult year for the overall pigment industry as rising petrochemical cost and raw material supply problems in China caused a significant run-up in pigment prices.
“The Chinese government closed some older raw material factories, causing shortages of some of the key raw materials,” Mr. Campbell said. “After the Olympics, the supply problems significantly improved, petrochemical prices dropped and prices start coming back down. The weakening world economy started affecting pigment demand in the fourth quarter, which further reduced supply problems.”
Other companies discussed the challenges they are facing.
“As a relative newcomer to the U.S. market, Novant supply chain option is of increasing interest as pigment users strive to lower the material cost element in their formulations while maintaining quality,” said Tim Polgar, Novant Chemicals’ national sales manager. “The consequence of this was considerable activity for pricing and sampling during the early and middle part of the year which is now filtering through as commercial translation, this trend will hopefully continue in 2009/2010 for Novant.”
Phillip Myles, operations director, Union Colours Limited , said that 2008 was a year that tested business's resourcefulness. “Supplies from China were disrupted by the Olympic Games and Blue Sky Policies, there were dramatic fluctuations in currency rates, oil prices and raw material price, and then a year of volatile demand was rounded off by the beginning of what may be a recession,” Mr. Myles said. “Despite this, Union Colours had a good year, we were supported by a successful new product development program which helped us to grow market share, also our size and capabilities showed us as a safe and reliable supply partner in a volatile market.”
“Through the third quarter of 2008 the Benda-Lutz group performed well, generally meeting its targets,” said William Pofahl, vice president sales and marketing for Benda-Lutz. “In the fourth quarter though, the economic downturn was felt. But for us the printing ink industry was the least affected because of new product introductions.”
“Pigments overall for Ciba fared well, much of that to do with our ability to demonstrate the technical attributes of several products that are key to packaging inks, specifically process blue and process yellow,” said William Wagner, business manager, inks and printing, Americas for Ciba Corporation. “Because demand for higher performing pigments continues, we have been successful in growing by offering a highly technical and broad range of products.”
“While there continues to be positive strong trends toward the usage of high performance and effect pigments, overall, 2008 was a challenging year for the pigments market worldwide,” said Mehran Yazdani, vice president, marketing, performance pigments, Sun Chemical. “The U.S. is currently one of the most challenging regions of the world for the pigments market thanks primarily to a struggling automotive market and housing slump that has led to a decline in auto sales, home building, and paint use. Similar challenges in the automotive and architectural markets can be found in Europe and Asia.
“Many of these challenges that the pigments market is currently facing began in 2007, however, the pigments market in 2007 was generally good,” Mr. Yazdani added. “Globally, the industry was impacted by the well publicized issues that occurred in 2007 regarding products made in China, leading to concern about product safety. The sudden and strict enforcement of environmental compliance by Chinese officials on local industry addressed most safety concerns, but led to instability in the supply chain.”
Frank Lavieri, general manager for Lansco Colors, noted that Lansco Colors had a strong 2008 with record sales, but it was a very difficult year due to supply and price instability. “The challenges of 2008 were unprecedented and I suspect that all of us in the pigment industry were happy to see the year end,” Mr. Lavieri said.
Economic Downturn and the Pigment Industry
The worldwide recession is impacting virtually all industries, and the industries served by the pigment industry are being severely affected. Inks, paints and coatings are facing great challenges, and pigment suppliers are in a similar position. As a result, some companies are in difficult financial positions, and consolidation and shutdowns likely will result.
“The downturn will have considerable impact on our industry,” Mr. Ashe said. “We will see closures due to cash flow issues cause by bankruptcies and slow account receivables.”
“Our customers are taking more time to pay their bills and our suppliers are asking for shorter terms to pay our bills,” Mr. Grabacki added. “Our customers’ business is slow and they are holding on to what they have. We have not seen any closures or other activities yet; however, we are concerned they will come.”
“In general, difficult times like these create opportunities for solid companies who have managed their cash and debt properly as well as those that are agile,” Mr. Bianchi said. “There are bound to be companies which fail and those that are acquired will lose some of their business due to attrition. It is these other well-managed companies that will be in a position to benefit from these scenarios.”
Mr. McBride said that the time allocated to combating the present economic conditions increases with each month,
“Inventory, production planning and reduction of cost are the keys to survival,” Mr. McBride noted. “Heubach has been aggressive with our commitment to providing quality pigments and pigment preparations to the ink industry and intends to so in the future. We need to be strategic with the use of technical resources, and at the same time continue to find ways to provide value to our customers.”
Mr. Chevrier said that many aspects are affecting the economy, including fuel prices and shipping costs.
“Certainly during 2008, fuel costs were one of the largest influencers,” Mr. Chevrier said. “In the ink industry, our customers’ costs associated with sourcing traditional pigments from Asia were adversely impacted, as material savings costs were offset increased transportation costs. As a result, sourcing classical pigments domestically may now have the benefit of lower shipping and transportation cost to add to the more consistent quality and lower lead times associated with domestic suppliers.”
Mr. Campbell said that Trust Chem USA purposely elected to begin operations in the middle of one of the most challenging times for business. “We believe that the ink industry is interested in a new high quality source that can offer local service with minmial overhead and no middleman acting as a distributor,” Mr. Campbell said. “After extensive research, we believe having China’s largest independent pigment supplier selling directly to U.S. customers supported by a small and experienced U.S. staff to provide sales and customer service, with local stocking, is the type of pigment supplier many customers are seeking. In addition, many of the large international ink companies have told Trust Chem they want to be able to buy the same high quality pigment for their factories all over the world without buying through a middleman.”
Mr. Reid said that ECKART Graphic Arts is preparing for the worst, but expecting the best. “By ensuring we have an efficient company with a clear objective, we are confident that we will be able to continue to supply our customers with excellent products and services despite the economic situation,” Mr. Reid added.
Mr. Lavieri said the current economic environment and business conditions are causing weak pigment companies to downsize, reduce product ranges and cut services. “The stress this business environment causes is highlighting Lansco Color’s strength of bringing low cost, excellent quality pigments to the ink industry with experienced, technical support,” Mr. Lavieri said.
“Consolidation, retrenching, repositioning by getting back to a companies core strengths, cost cutting all contribute to the strategies being adopted,” Mr. Polgar said. “The industry has, in most areas, slowed down; workers seem to have more time to ensure what they do is ‘right first time,’ less firefighting, survival is the main objective now for many companies. Closures are inevitable but the stronger, not necessarily the bigger, but certainly the more inventive and well managed will survive; at the end these companies will emerge from the ‘dark period’ equipped to rejuvenanate the industry once more.”
“In Europe and Asia, the difficult economy has been felt primarily on existing business,” Mr. Pofahl said. “This is being compensated by new projects and applications. In the North American market Benda-Lutz is not as well known. But with the consolidation among metallic pigment producers, we are finding new customers among companies looking for alternative suppliers that bring good value.”
“The industry has seen a period of de-stocking followed by a continuation of low demand in an over-supplied market,” Mr. Myles noted. “Inevitably there will be more casualties amongst our major international competitors.”
“In 2008, prices of basic crude materials to more sophisticated intermediate materials fluctuated wildly and thus played a big role in the pricing of finished pigments,” Mr. Wagner noted. “While some consolidation throughout the value chain will continue to occur, the biggest impact will be cost control. In the absence of organic growth, those seeking to participate in the existing business must be able to offer high quality products at fair market prices on time – especially as customers reduce stock. Customers are not expected to relax any conditions of product to which they have become accustomed.”
“The current economic downturn has led to slowing demand in emerging markets, and we believe production of pigments will continue to shift to developing countries such as China and India,” said Chris Whiston, marketing manager, pigments at Toyo Ink Mfg. America, LLC.
Higher Raw Material Costs
In the last few years, the pigment industry has been faced with increased cost and supply issues, most notably due to higher costs for petroleum-based products as well as tightening shipments from China. While 2008 saw some relief from higher crude oil prices, it did not translate to lower pigment costs.
A key concern is the higher cost of energy needed to manufacture pigments and intermediates.
“Supply issues occur periodically and result in temporary shortages and outages when not properly anticipated,” Mr. Chevrier said. “But production costs in many cases are associated with energy costs, which have spiked and come back down, but the end result is almost always a higher cost trend in energy. Some of the raw materials are petroleum-based and the manufacturing process use petroleum-based products, but in the end the energy to produce the products from the intermediates all the way through to the final product is affected by energy. Some of our inorganic materials, for example, are calcined at extremely high temperatures, and the cost to reach those temperatures has gone up dramatically.”
“Raw material and energy costs continue to affect our business,” Mr. Reid said. “ECKART Graphic Arts is working hard to continue offering exceptional value added products but also working on developing new products and new markets.”
“Pricing on raw materials has seemed to stabilize and level off,” Mr. Grabacki said. “With most of the industry’s pigments coming from overseas, there is the challenge of supply coordination.”
While supply issues have improved, Mr. McBride and Mr. Campbell noted that higher-priced inventory has actually become a concern.
“Due to the slowdown in business after the Olympics, supply issues of key intermediates and chemicals have calmed down in many cases,” Mr. McBride reported. “The interruption of supply during the summer months last year in China most likely added more pressure as demand peaked. The problem now is that many of the pigment producers are still sitting on higher costing raw materials without the level of business to turn the inventory in those areas where raw materials have decreased. Some specific pigments and additives still maintain higher costing due to pipeline matters.”
“High raw material cost are no longer a critical issue and are not expected to be a critical issue in 2009,” Mr. Campbell said. “Some suppliers, however, are sitting on inventory that has been slow to sell that was purchased when pigment prices were much higher. This has limited their ability to reduce current pigment selling prices.”
Mr. Bianchi anticipates that significantly lower demand may lead to aggressive pricing.
“I would expect that the dollar will not maintain its recent strength against other international currencies which would, in theory, make raw materials more expensive,” Mr. Bianchi said. “However I would also expect that this will be offset by the overall lack of demand causing suppliers to be aggressive on pricing.”
Mr. Polgar said that material prices have peaked, but supplies are dependant on ensuring one has contingent supply chain options.
“Broadening the supply chain option will strengthen the position of a pigment user as the reliance on the incumbent supplier is lessened. Companies today are very quality focused and driven due to an extremely competitive market. They depend heavily upon the pigment supplier to insure complete quality and consistency from batch to batch,” Mr. Polgar said.
“In 2008, raw material prices rose and fell dramatically and more recently they appear to have stabilized,” Mr. Myles said. “However the 2008 volatility has left many companies reluctant to offer longer term price agreements like those enjoyed in the past.”
“Toyo Ink Mfg. America did not increase pigment prices to coatings manufacturers in North America in 2008 nor add fuel surcharges,” Mr. Whiston said. “We are watching 2009 carefully and it is difficult to make forecasts but we believe price volatility will be high and currency exchange rates may be important.”
“For metallics, Benda-Lutz has not had any supply issues,” Mr. Pofahl said. “However, we are experiencing increased costs in energy, labor, transportation and packaging. These are being offset somewhat by decreasing raw material costs for metals.”
“From early 2008 through late summer, the ‘China effect’ was a key driver for the effects felt in most regions: tight supply, rising raw material and finished goods prices and lengthened lead times,” Mr. Wagner noted. “This combined with the mounting economic issues had a significant impact on the pigment industry. What we see now are energy and raw material price decreases, which will work its way through to customers. However due to the lagging economy, many suppliers are sitting on intermediates and finished goods based on the earlier higher prices.”
“A number of trends and challenges are affecting the pricing and supply issues in the pigments market,” Mr. Yazdani said. “First, the price of raw materials increased at an unprecedented rapid pace in 2008. Although some of the pressures have eased, it will take some time to recoup the magnitude of the increases that pigment suppliers absorbed in 2008. At Sun Chemical, we’re working to control our own costs closely with our supply chain partners and to improve our internal operations. These efforts have helped offset some of these rising raw material costs. 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. 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."
Difficult Challenges Ahead
As is the case with their customers, the pigment industry faces numerous challenges in the coming years.
Mr. Grabacki said that there are several challenges facing not just the pigment industry, but the whole printing industry.
“The economy is the most obvious, consumer spending is down which directly affects printing,” Mr. Grabacki said. “Newspapers are struggling for readership, for example the Chicago Tribune. Magazine page counts and ad counts are down. There is overcapacity and foreign competition, as the majority of pigments are made overseas and now there has been a significant rise in foreign inks mainly from the Far East along with printing being done there and shipped back here. There is also the Electronic Age, with less need for printing. I think this generation gets their news online, shops on line instead of catalogs, and seems to have less use for magazines.
“We are constantly looking for ways to stay competitive, be innovative, run leaner and more efficient and spread our base and look into alternative markets,” Mr. Grabacki concluded.
Mr. Chevrier said that with the current economic situation, BASF believes it is even more important to remain focused on our customers’ needs.
“We are investing in research and development to help us develop solutions to our customers’ needs, and to produce products that are sustainable,” Mr. Chevrier said. “BASF is investing in a state-of-the-art technical service facility to respond to customer needs and be closer to the market. On a product basis, we are working to develop pigments that are more universally accepted and perform better. These new pigments are being engineered to anticipate future market needs. In 2009, for example, we are launching a new effect pigment called Glacier Frost white synthetic mica. This pigment offers more luster and brightness than traditional effect pigments and allows more neutral and ‘whiter’ white designs.”
“Heubach will continue to provide both quality products and technical service at a high level that creates value for our customers,” Mr. McBride said. “Our product is well balanced with innovative technology in organic and inorganic pigments, and preparations that have been carefully consolidated to keep only the best offerings for the markets we service.”
“Brilliant is fortunate as a new entrant in a market dominated by one player,” Mr. Bianchi said. “We have been fully welcomed by the market as a credible alternate source of fluorescent pigments. With that said, in order to grow in our industry it is key to maintain high levels of customer service, product performance and continued innovation.”
“The challenges in the short term differ from the longer term, in the short term persuading the market to look outside the ‘history’ box; to look at new suppliers/new markets, to look at cost control and really look for new supplier benefits and not just paying lip service to it,” Mr. Polgar said. “In the longer term forging new relationships with a broader supply and customer base and appreciating the market is Global and not just domestic will form, I believe, a stronger strategy for sustainable growth.”
“The key to sustainability is innovation and differentiation and by positioning products to give maximum value to the customer,” Mr. Myles said. “Consolidation and downsizing offers little to customers in the short term.
“We took the opportunity in 2008 to broaden our technical capabilities,” Mr. Myles added. “We now have three pigment development laboratories in operation, our China team focus on what are traditionally considered commodity products where we look to increasing their ‘value in use.’Our South Africa team focus on higher performing products such as our new range of Naphthol AS II pigments offering clients brilliant shades with high fastness and solvent resistance properties. These programs are coordinated from our UK laboratories where we offer clients direct technical support for our new and existing range. Union Colours has launched many new products and more will be launched.’”
“The focus on environmentally friendly innovation will continue,”
Mr. Whiston noted. “Toyo Ink will further development of more environmentally friendly alternatives, such as zero-VOC dispersions. Shrinking demand, however, caused by current recessionary pressures will lead to stronger price competition for organic pigments.”
“Going forward, we see the most difficult challenge being bringing the market the new products they desire at a good value,” Mr. Pofahl said. “Benda-Lutz has introduced new leafing grades that are finer and brighter along with more cost effective VMPs for brilliant chrome effects. We are also looking at various means to increase both customer service and technical support for the printing inks market.”
“Growth is the major challenge,” Mr. Wagner said. “Many reports have the demand for ink remaining flat or decreasing as other media for information become available, preferences in printed materials change, etc. This, if true, will result in more global suppliers of pigments taking positions with global ink companies for the preferred ‘high value’ business and others taking positions simply to fill their manufacturing plants. As the profitability component continues to come into play, those suppliers which have world class operations and the ability to be the low cost manufacturer of standardized products supported with technical expertise, will win out in the end.”
Expectations for 2009
All in all, most pigment manufacturers anticipate a challenging year ahead.
“We have low expectations for 2009. We are planning on it being the most challenging year in our company's history, and maybe the most challenging year in our generation’s history,” Mr. Grabacki concluded.
“We expect a tough year but remain confident that, even in an economic downturn, we have the depth of products and experience to ensure our long term growth,” Mr. Reid said.
“We expect the market to continue to contract in 2009 and stabilize in early 2010,” Mr. Bianchi said. “Despite this market contraction, we continue to expect fluorescent users to seek alternate sources affording Brilliant reasonable growth in 2009 and beyond.”
Mr. Chevrier said that customers in the ink industry as well as other industries will have to look at the real price of pigments, not only product cost but the full price required to acquire the pigments
“In the past, a pigment could be purchased from Asia despite the fact that the quality was not as consistent as those offered by domestic manufacturers because it was still economical to rework and blend product to make the final ink or coating,” Mr. Chevrier said. “Now the cost of transportation has added to that equation, and the energy cost of re-working products will add to the equation again. Manufacturers will find that the price of products sourced domestically or from the traditional European suppliers are not so expensive, comparatively, and the added quality and consistency of the materials will enhance the value of the end product.”
“We are optimistic because of our effective core mission and we see our people rising to the challenges we all face,” Mr. Ashe said. “We know we have to do more with less. The ‘Quality Journey for operational excellence will need to continue to improve our processes and pounds per man hour.We will need to reduce the time on the sales cycle.These will ultimately make us and our customers stronger.”
“This is a difficult time for all business,” said Mr. Campbell. “Trust Chem intends to help their customers reduce cost to make sure they are fully cost competitive. They will do this while meeting or exceeding the level of quality and service their customers expect. Trust Chem USA is offering a new business model that will reduce the cost of selling pigment. A small U.S. staff supported by a well-trained and experienced group in China will sell from local stock mainly by phone and the internet. The U.S. staff will be supported by the largest and best equipped pigment technical staff in China.”
“Trust Chem USA is optimistic,” Mr. Campbell said. “We expect many customers will be interested in our new approach to selling organic pigment. We hope to have the opportunity to prove our value to new potential customers while business is slow and be well positioned to grow as the U.S. economy begins to recover later this year.”
“We are expecting a better balance of pigment supply and demand for 2009 and with it the end of the frenetic pace of 2008,” Mr. Lavieri said. “Hopefully 2009 will give ink companies more time to focus on growing their business.”
“Novant expectations are that it will be a very fluid year, opportunities will come and go as the market tries out differing suppliers,” Mr. Polgar said. “Business has never been taken for granted; this year, I feel, this will most certainly be the case. Customer service, attention to detail and price strategy must form the backbone of any suppliers package, Novant is no exception and we will strive to continue to deliver on time in full at the right price to its customers.”
“We are optimistic that our business will grow as we are now able to offer robust products that match many of our customer’s criteria,” Mr. Myles said. “We are a strong organization and have long-term plans to supply the color using industry.”
“The emerging industrial giants, China, India and Eastern Europe, are seen as the markets where per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow most rapidly,” said Peter Carey-Yard, marketing director, coatings, performance pigments, Sun Chemical. “Related to the GDP growth of these emerging markets will be the growth in the demand for high performance pigments for the coatings of durable goods, buildings and the automotive sector. In the graphic arts market, the increasing use of non-impact printing methods such as inkjet means increased demand for high performance pigments at the expense of those conventional pigments used in traditional printing inks.
“From the market segment viewpoint, we expect continued growth in cosmetics, specialties, and niche markets,” Mr. Carey-Yard continued. “We also expect flat to declining market in automotive, architectural and ink markets. The trend for more efficient cars in the automotive market will see a reduction in paint consumption, however, it will also increase the demand for color. This trend will help to fuel the continued growth in high performance and effect pigments.”
“We expect to see increased sales in our specialty aluminums for UV-curing inks and silica encapsulated grades,” Mr. Pofahl said. “Due to capital investments in Europe larger growth in Eastern Europe is forecasted. Also Benda-Lutz expects continued success in North America from our optimized product line and greater visibility in the graphic arts sector. Finally we are in development projects with various ink manufacturers on specialty items that we expect to bring results in the latter half of 2009.”
“2009 is going to be very tough. Toyo Ink Manufacturing America will be monitoring inventory and operating expenses very carefully in line with demand,” Mr. Whiston said.
“There is a saying that the ink industry is ‘recession proof,’” Mr. Wagner said. “This saying comes from several studies suggesting that in tough economic periods, people still need to eat and drink and that means a demand for more packaged goods. In actual fact it means fewer trips to restaurants and more home cooked meals. The ink industry, because of its strong role in packaging, is better able to weather the tough economic times we are facing. However, there is a flip side, which is that because people will be more careful with their dollars, they will tend to go for more generic brands or ‘giant’ sizes which use less packaging and/or less ink. That said, I think overall the ink industry, and the pigment suppliers to it, will be better off than other industries and the decline we’ll experience will not be as deep or prolonged.”
New Pigments
The following listing includes new pigment products introduced to the ink industry last year.
BASF
100 Campus Drive
Florham Park, NJ 07922
Phone: (800) 962-7829
Fax: (800) 971-1123
Web: www2.basf.us/performancechemical/index.html
E-mail: john.schmidt@basf.com
New Products:
• Glacier Frost white synthetic mica pigment
Comments: Glacier Frost white synthetic mica pigment offers more luster and brightness than traditional effect pigments and allows more neutral and “whiter” white designs.
Benda-Lutz Corporation
10500 Toebben Dr.
Independence, KY 41051
Phone: (859) 746-0392
Fax: (859) 525-3012
Web: www.benda-lutz.com
E-mail: pofahlw@benda-lutz.net
New Products:
• Blitz UVAL
Comments: Leafing and non-leafing aluminum pigments developed specifically for 1K UV curable inks. Very good optical effects due to no encapsulation. Stabilization allows for excellent leafing effects.
• Blitz Maxal & Maxal SI
Comments: Silver dollar aluminum pigments for bright effects. All grades available for solvent-based and water-based inks. Very coarse aluminum for unique sparkling effects available as well. Product series will soon be extended to below 20 microns.
• Blitz High Performance Leafing
Comments: In response to the market's desire for brighter and whiter aluminum flakes, Benda-Lutz introduced their next generation of leafing aluminum grades, High Performance Leafing. With finer flakes, a more planar flake surface, and a tighter distribution of particle sizes one can achieve new optical effects. Excellent products for offset printing. A very high quality chrome effect is now possible at an attractive price.
Brilliant Group, LLC
P.O. Box 590128
San Francisco, CA 94159-0128
Phone: (415) 771-4757
Fax: (415) 789-4150
Web: www.fluorescentcolor.com
E-mail: info@fluorescentcolor.com
New Products:• Brilliant General Purpose (BGP) Series
Comments: Fluorescent pigments for aqueous systems and low polarity solvents.
• Brilliant Solvent Resistant (BSR) Series
Comments: Fluorescent pigments for more polar systems (C/T type gravure, etc.)
• Brilliant Water Dispersions (BWD) Series
Comments: Fluorescent dispersions for use where dusting is not desired.
• Brilliant Microsphere (BMS) Series
Comments: Fluorescent thermoset microspheres, non-swelling, non-migrating.
• Brilliant Non-Formaldehyde (BNF) Series
Comments: Fluorescents for plastics and other applications where residual formaldehyde is not desired.
Ciba Corporation
205 S. James St.
Newport, DE. 19804
Phone: (937-299-0283
Web: www.ciba.com/imagingandinks
E-mail: William.wagner@ciba.com
New Products:
• XYMARA Nordic
Comments:XYMARA Nordic effects are designed to inspire the creation of individual new designs for screen and gravure printing; applications include luxury packaging, labels for high-end products and point-of-sales graphics. The stylings have been developed for screen inks and are also suitable for gravure printing, provided the correct technology is applied. XYMARA Nordic stylings are based on the effects Crystal, Amber, Ruby, Amethyst, Topaz, Emerald and Opal. The effects reflect natural shades, enlivened with additional shimmer, shine and sparkle – discreet or dynamic, as required. The versatile stylings can be used to enhance transparency or emphasize opacity.
• XYMARA Electra LWB and LSB
Comments: XYMARA Electra LWB waterborne and XYMARA Electra LSB solventborne inks for gravure and flexo printing give high resolution and combine low drying temperatures – down to 80°C – with excellent adhesion, high speed printability and high conductivity.
ECKART America Corporation
830 East Erie St.
PO Box 747
Painesville, OH 44077-0747
Phone: (440) 954-7600
Web: www.eckart.net
E-mail: joseph.perdue@altana.com
New Products:
• PRISMASTAR Rainbow Effects
Comments: PRISMASTAR inks are based on the latest generation of PVD metallic effect pigments offering a spectral colour shift normally associated with holographic foils and substrates. PRISMASTAR offers an economic alternative to holographic foils combined with a unique rainbow effect and efficient in-line printing.
• PEARLSTAR Litho 06 3001 silver
Comments: EARLSTAR Litho 06 3001 silver offers high lustre pearlescent effects for conventional offset printing, and special surface treatment for the best water balance and exceptional print 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: GPCL’s new line of environmentally friendly “GREEN” flushes are flushed in a very compatible 100% linseed-based vehicle with no other additives. This high quality line of flushes offers fast setting, high gloss, low to no VOCs, easily recyclable and degradable, and is universally designed for most substrates.
Heucotech Ltd.
99 Newbold Road
Fairless Hills, PA 19030
Phone: (215) 736-0712
Fax: (215) 736-2249
Web: www.heubachcolor.com
E-mail: donmcbride@heubachcolor.com
New Products:
• RMP1220
Comments: RMP1220 is a 40 % pigment Microsperse Plus dispersion of a high performance Pigment Red 122.
• RMP2540
Comments: RMP2540 is a 50% pigment Microsperse Plus dispersion of a high performance Pigment Red 254.
• Vynamon Red 312201
Comments: Vynamon Red 312201 is clean blue shade quinacridone red with excellent weathering, thermal and migratory properties.
• Heuco Red 317601
Comments: Heuco Red 317601 is a blue shade benzimidazolone red pigment dry toner. This PR 176 is used widely in decorative lamination inks as well as for higher end gravure or flexographic inks.
• Vynamon Red 325401
Comments: Vynamon Red 325401 is a medium shade red DPP. This PR 254 has excellent properties and is designed for applications in plastics.
• Monolite Red 325402
Comments: Monolite Red 325402 is a medium shade clean DPP red with excellent weathering properties, and is ideal for high performance applications.
• Heuco Red 325401
Comments: Heuco Red 325401 is a medium shade clean DPP red designed for the ink industry.
• Monolite Yellow 108304
Comments: Monolite Yellow 108304 is red shade disazo yellow dry toner. This opaque PY 83 has excellent fastness properties.
• Heucorin FR
Comments: Heucorin FR is zinc salt of phthalic acid that combines the properties of a high performance organic corrosion and a highly effective flash/early rust inhibitor.
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:
• 3736 Phthalo Green 36
Comments: This is a very blue shade Green 36 that is unique and valued in that color space. 3736 is a close match to Green DMY and will be useful to color matchers needing this shade.
MC Technology
1850 Airport Exchange, Suite 500 Erlanger, KY 41018
Phone: (859) 491-8716
Fax: (859) 282-8098
Web: www.mctechnology.net
E-mail: tashe@mctechnology.net
New Products:
• Water dispersions with the Soya certification seal
Comments: MC Technology has introduced a line of water dispersions with the Soya certification seal.
• UV/EB dye dispersions for ink and coatings
Comments: MC Technology has signed an agreement to be the exclusive distributor for Ecocolor Industries, a producer of UV and EB dispersions and vehicles for ink jet, digital, flexo and offset inks and coatings. Ecocolor Industries has recently introduced a line of UV/EB dye dispersions for ink and coatings that has excellent gloss and transparency with unique viscosities.
Novant Chemicals
1580 Balmoral Way
Westlake, OH44145
Phone: (440) 871-1646
Web: www.novantchemicals.com
E-mail: tpolgar@novantchemicals.com
Comments: Novant Chemicals is customer driven and we as a major pigment manufacturer are constantly evaluating new pigment chemistry to help support and grow with our customers needs and requirements.Novant is also involved in high performance pigment development to support market requirements for more lightfast and chemical resistant pigments.The Novant pigment core line consists of organics, inorganics (iron oxides and micronized iron oxides) and pearlescent pigments.
Pidilite Industries Limited
Ramkrishna Mandir Road
Andheri East
Mumbai, India 400 059
Phone: +91 22 2835 7000
Fax: +91 22 2835 7008
Web: www.pidilite.com
E-mail: sykamat@pidilite.com
New Products:
• Acrolite Fast Violet EXAQ 1000 (Violet 23)
Comments: A reddish grade violet specially developed for water flexo ink.
• Acrolite Fast Violet NM (Violet 23)Comments: For paint and plastic application having good dispersibility and strength.
• Acrolite HP Pink PE (Red 122)Comments: A bluish grade for colorants and plastic.
• Acrolite Fast Red PF3S-07 (Red 188) Comments: Ideal for the colorant industry.
Sun Chemical Performance Pigment Group
5020 Spring Grove Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45232
Phone: (513) 681-5950
Fax: (513) 632-1316
Web: www.sunchemical.com/performancepigments/
E-mail: lynn.campbell@sunchemical.com
New Products:
• Delta Blue 60
Comments: Delta Blue 60 creates a reddish-blue shade that is a richer color than what is currently out in the market. It will be very popular for use in automotive paints as a color styling tool and can potentially to reduce paint costs. By virtue of Delta Blue 60 pigments’ reddish-blue shade, compared with conventional Blue 60, up to 50 percent of the pigmentation in paints can be phthalocyanine blue, which saves costs.
• Surpass Elite W
Comments: Surpass Elite W is targeted for use in high performance water borne coatings such as automotive and exterior industrial coatings. Surpass Elite W is dispersed by a simple stir-in process. There is no need for bead milling, eliminating spoilage and rework problems, reducing processing time, and effort needed for quality control. In addition to simplifying the paint making process, the Surpass Elite W pigment line also provides improved color capability.
• SunMetallics
Comments: SunMetallics is a line of non-leafing aluminum flake pigments for use in solventborne industrial coating applications. The product portfolio includes cornflake and silver dollar pigments over a broad particle size range to allow for formulation of coatings with excellent hiding power to brilliant metallic effects and excellent color travel. In addition to the initial product line, Sun Chemical will launch seven new products in 2009 to provide increased formulation design and effect. In addition, 2009 will bring further line extensions to be able to meet the market needs for waterborne applications and specialty performance and design needs.
• Pearlescent Pigments
Comments: Sun Chemical has launched an extended natural pearlescent pigment line under the brand name SunMica as well as a broad product line of synthetic based pearls under the trade names Reflex and Chaos. New for 2009 will be the introduction of the industrial line of novel pearlescent pigments that provide excellent chroma and opacity from vivid reds and deep, rich blues to intense greens and brilliant orange hues. The pigments allow for unique styling and effect opportunities and will be available in standard and weather resistant forms.
Trust Chem USA
1050 Main St., Suite 22
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: (401) 398-7301
Fax: (401) 398-7321
Web: www.trustchemusa.com
E-mail: rick@trustchemusa.com
New Products:
• Many new products will be introduced by Trust Chem USA during 2009
Comments: Trust Chem USA will offer existing products and qualities at new lower prices and introduce a wide range of new pigments to the U.S. market that have previously been sold exclusively by Trust Chem in Europe.
Union Colours Limited
Union House, 47 Warrington St.
Stalybridge, SK15 2LJ UK
Phone: +44 161 304 2555
Fax: +44 161 303 0888
Web: www.unioncolours.com
E-mail: enquiries@unioncolours.com
New Products:
• PY 12 Sincol Yellow 1138-D72 for publication gravure inks
• PY 12 Sincol Yellow 1138-D73 for publication gravure inks
• PY 174 Sincol Yellow 1128-D62 for offset inks
• PR 57:1 Sincol Rubine 3164-D37 for web offset inks
• PR 57:1 Sincol Rubine 3164-D10 for sheetfed offset inks
• PR 146 Sinfast Carmine 3123-D47 for water- and solvent based inks
• PR 170 Sinfast Red 3128-D22 for water- and solvent-based inks
• PR 184 Sinfast Red 3129-D35 for water- and solvent based inks
• PY 74Sincol Yellow 1136-D45 for water- and solvent based inks
• PR 57:1 Sincol Rubine 3160-D30 good stability in water-based inks, yellow shade
• PR 57:1 Sincol Rubine 3160-D31 good stability in water-based inks, blue shade
Comments: Union Colours’ new range of publication gravure inks are characterized by their good color density and stability. Its new range of offset grade inks are characterized by their excellent flow. The new range of Naphthol AS II pigments for ink are characterized by their excellent gloss, gloss development, transparency and strength.