Catherine Diamond, Associate Editor08.01.17
The metallic pigments market is expected to grow steadily through at least 2021, due largely to increased global infrastructure projects, competition on the shelves, and consumer preference for innovative product presentation.
Several reports released this year concluded that this market will achieve steady CAGR and increased share in the pigment market overall. Zion Market Research, in a study published in May, determined that the market is expected to reach $1,121.6 million USD in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% between 2016 and 2021.
According to the report, “Global metallic pigments market has been witnessing robust growth over the past few years owing to growth in the paints and coatings industry. The architectural paints and coatings market has grown significantly due to growing infrastructural development and construction activities in emerging countries. Furthermore, growth in the automotive sectors has boosted the market for decorative paints and coatings…The beginning of nanotechnology is projected to create lucrative opportunities in the metallic pigments market in the upcoming years.”
The market is segmented into aluminum, copper, zinc, stainless steel and others. The aluminum metallic pigment held the largest share in 2015 and is expected to grow at highest CAGR in the forecast period, researchers found. Aluminum pigments are used as coloring additives. These pigments provide the silvery metallic finish to the substrate and are broadly used in automotive coatings. “Growing demand for better sheen and radiant effects is anticipated to drive the segment during the forecast period,” the report states.
Asia-Pacific, which dominated the overall metallic pigments market in terms of revenue in 2015 and 2016, is one of the largest consumers of metallic pigments. Researchers found that the development of paints and coatings, plastics and printing inks industries in Asia-Pacific is likely to boost the metallic pigments market. “China has emerged as the one of the leading manufacturers, trader, as well as consumer of metallic pigments in the region. Gradually growing production technology and the presence of strong downstream consumer support within the country have been propelling demand for metallic pigments in the country over the recent years. India is expected to be the second-largest market in terms of demand for metallic pigments,” researchers said.
Zion Market Research also determined that Europe was one of the leading players in the metallic pigments market, followed closely by North America. “Europe and North America are estimated to exhibit stabilized market growth owing to strict governmental regulations regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions in the region,” analysts stated.
The report goes on to state that Latin America and Middle East & Africa regions are likely to be emerging markets in coming years due to investments in these regions by global metallic pigments producers. “The growth in the region is attributed to growing urbanization and improving fashion trend. Rapid industrialization and rising consumer awareness of low toxicity and sustainability the coloring agents are expected to favor metallic pigments market growth in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa,” according to the report.
Another report from Research and Markets, published in January, predicted an even larger CAGR through 2021 – 7.44%, to be exact.
According to the report, one driver for this market is increasing demand from the printing inks and packaging industry. “The considerable growth of fast-moving consumer goods, including food and beverages and pharmaceuticals, is fostering the growth of the global packaging market,” it states. “Packaging provides barrier protection against heat, gases, and external environmental agents for a variety of consumer goods. Along with barrier protection, packaging also enhances the visual and aesthetic appeal of a product and makes the product unique among the available counterparts, which is attributable as a unique selling point. Metallic pigments are used for printing and for imparting color to the packaging material.”
A third report, also published in January of this year, predicts a CAGR of at least 7% through 2021. Technavio’s researchers anticipate steady growth “due to the rising demand for various applications such as paints and coatings, printing inks, and plastics that are specifically used in industrial and automotive sectors.”
New Products
Metallic pigments manufacturers are frequently introducing new products in order to meet customer needs. What follows are just a few examples of product availability in today’s market:
Arpro M-Tec offers several metallic pigment products, including products specifically designed for gold, silver, and leafing. Meta-Flexeco B is a mid-range particle size leafing silver. It is specifically formulated for blending with surfactant based dispersions. It is low cost, offers excellent press performance and compatibility.
BASF offers Mearlite luster pigments for plastics, coatings and inks. Formulations vary from a soft, satin luster to a sharp, metallic brilliance. The company also offers Metasheen vacuum-metallized aluminum pigments (VMPs). The non-leafing nature of Metasheen allows easy creation of colored metallic effects.
Eckart offers several products for the this market, including its Topstar product line. The Topstar 06 line is a mineral oil-based, wax-free ink series based on high brilliant nonleafing METALURE pigment for clean and bright metallic color shades.
Schlenk has developed metallic pigments and intermediate products and solutions for a wide variety of printing substrates and processes, including offset lithography, flexo, gravure and screen printing as well as bronzing. The company also offers press ready metallic printing inks.
Silberline offers several metallic pigments specifically for the automotive industry, including Sparkle Silver, Sparkle Silver Premier, Silver Star, Sparkle Silver Ultra, and Platinum Silver series. The company’s Tufflake products are known for their degradation resistance in automotive OEM systems.
Sun Chemical offers Benda-Lutz Metallic Effects, which are premium aluminum, gold and bronze pigments, dispersions and concentrates designed for industry leading metallic brilliance for graphic arts. Produced with state-of-the-art manufacturing capability and more than 100 years of metal pigment experience, Benda-Lutz Metallic Effects provide stylists with excellent aesthetics and optimum printability.
Several reports released this year concluded that this market will achieve steady CAGR and increased share in the pigment market overall. Zion Market Research, in a study published in May, determined that the market is expected to reach $1,121.6 million USD in 2021 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% between 2016 and 2021.
According to the report, “Global metallic pigments market has been witnessing robust growth over the past few years owing to growth in the paints and coatings industry. The architectural paints and coatings market has grown significantly due to growing infrastructural development and construction activities in emerging countries. Furthermore, growth in the automotive sectors has boosted the market for decorative paints and coatings…The beginning of nanotechnology is projected to create lucrative opportunities in the metallic pigments market in the upcoming years.”
The market is segmented into aluminum, copper, zinc, stainless steel and others. The aluminum metallic pigment held the largest share in 2015 and is expected to grow at highest CAGR in the forecast period, researchers found. Aluminum pigments are used as coloring additives. These pigments provide the silvery metallic finish to the substrate and are broadly used in automotive coatings. “Growing demand for better sheen and radiant effects is anticipated to drive the segment during the forecast period,” the report states.
Asia-Pacific, which dominated the overall metallic pigments market in terms of revenue in 2015 and 2016, is one of the largest consumers of metallic pigments. Researchers found that the development of paints and coatings, plastics and printing inks industries in Asia-Pacific is likely to boost the metallic pigments market. “China has emerged as the one of the leading manufacturers, trader, as well as consumer of metallic pigments in the region. Gradually growing production technology and the presence of strong downstream consumer support within the country have been propelling demand for metallic pigments in the country over the recent years. India is expected to be the second-largest market in terms of demand for metallic pigments,” researchers said.
Zion Market Research also determined that Europe was one of the leading players in the metallic pigments market, followed closely by North America. “Europe and North America are estimated to exhibit stabilized market growth owing to strict governmental regulations regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions in the region,” analysts stated.
The report goes on to state that Latin America and Middle East & Africa regions are likely to be emerging markets in coming years due to investments in these regions by global metallic pigments producers. “The growth in the region is attributed to growing urbanization and improving fashion trend. Rapid industrialization and rising consumer awareness of low toxicity and sustainability the coloring agents are expected to favor metallic pigments market growth in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, UAE, Saudi Arabia and South Africa,” according to the report.
Another report from Research and Markets, published in January, predicted an even larger CAGR through 2021 – 7.44%, to be exact.
According to the report, one driver for this market is increasing demand from the printing inks and packaging industry. “The considerable growth of fast-moving consumer goods, including food and beverages and pharmaceuticals, is fostering the growth of the global packaging market,” it states. “Packaging provides barrier protection against heat, gases, and external environmental agents for a variety of consumer goods. Along with barrier protection, packaging also enhances the visual and aesthetic appeal of a product and makes the product unique among the available counterparts, which is attributable as a unique selling point. Metallic pigments are used for printing and for imparting color to the packaging material.”
A third report, also published in January of this year, predicts a CAGR of at least 7% through 2021. Technavio’s researchers anticipate steady growth “due to the rising demand for various applications such as paints and coatings, printing inks, and plastics that are specifically used in industrial and automotive sectors.”
New Products
Metallic pigments manufacturers are frequently introducing new products in order to meet customer needs. What follows are just a few examples of product availability in today’s market:
Arpro M-Tec offers several metallic pigment products, including products specifically designed for gold, silver, and leafing. Meta-Flexeco B is a mid-range particle size leafing silver. It is specifically formulated for blending with surfactant based dispersions. It is low cost, offers excellent press performance and compatibility.
BASF offers Mearlite luster pigments for plastics, coatings and inks. Formulations vary from a soft, satin luster to a sharp, metallic brilliance. The company also offers Metasheen vacuum-metallized aluminum pigments (VMPs). The non-leafing nature of Metasheen allows easy creation of colored metallic effects.
Eckart offers several products for the this market, including its Topstar product line. The Topstar 06 line is a mineral oil-based, wax-free ink series based on high brilliant nonleafing METALURE pigment for clean and bright metallic color shades.
Schlenk has developed metallic pigments and intermediate products and solutions for a wide variety of printing substrates and processes, including offset lithography, flexo, gravure and screen printing as well as bronzing. The company also offers press ready metallic printing inks.
Silberline offers several metallic pigments specifically for the automotive industry, including Sparkle Silver, Sparkle Silver Premier, Silver Star, Sparkle Silver Ultra, and Platinum Silver series. The company’s Tufflake products are known for their degradation resistance in automotive OEM systems.
Sun Chemical offers Benda-Lutz Metallic Effects, which are premium aluminum, gold and bronze pigments, dispersions and concentrates designed for industry leading metallic brilliance for graphic arts. Produced with state-of-the-art manufacturing capability and more than 100 years of metal pigment experience, Benda-Lutz Metallic Effects provide stylists with excellent aesthetics and optimum printability.