• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Top Companies
    • Printing Inks
    • Raw Materials
    • Equipment
    • Directories
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Top Companies
  • Printing Inks
  • Raw Materials
  • Equipment
  • Directories
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Columns
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    eBook
    Top Features
    Digital Printing Makes Significant Inroads into Corrugated Market

    The 2022 Additives Report

    Fujifilm’s New US RxD Dispersion Facility is Key to Growth in Aqueous Inkjet Ink Market

    Jim Leitch Honored with NAPIM’s 2022 Ault Award

    NAPIM Honors Five Industry Leaders with 2022 Pioneer Awards
    Breaking News
    Distributor News
    Financial News
    Industry News
    Ink Manufacturers News
    Market Research
    Mergers and Acquisitions
    New Products
    Personnel
    Price Increases
    Printers News
    Suppliers News
    Live From Shows
    Video Bites
    Top News
    Flint Group to Highlight AQUACode Inks, Xiekon IDERA at Corrugated Week 2022

    DuPont Selects 2022 Lavoisier and Pedersen Award Medalists

    Chemours Begins Commissioning Newest Sand Mine in Clay County, FL

    Marabu to Present Safe Inks for Indirect Contact with Food at K 2022

    Evonik Increases Production Capacity for ACEMATT Matting Agents
    Whitepapers
    Top North American Companies
    Top International Companies
    Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics
    Graphic Arts Coatings
    Inkjet Inks and Toners
    Marking and Pad Printing Inks
    News Inks
    Packaging Flexo Inks
    Packaging Gravure Inks
    Publication Gravure Inks
    Publication Offset Inks
    Screen Inks
    Sheetfed Inks
    Specialty Inks
    UV and EB Inks

    Flint Group to Highlight AQUACode Inks, Xiekon IDERA at Corrugated Week 2022

    DuPont Selects 2022 Lavoisier and Pedersen Award Medalists

    Marabu to Present Safe Inks for Indirect Contact with Food at K 2022

    Nazdar Highlights Ink Innovation at Labelexpo Americas 2022

    Cyngient, Imageworx Partner at Labelexpo for Security Labeling
    Additives
    Energy-Curable Materials
    Flushed Colors and Pigments
    Metallics and Special Effects Pigments
    Resins
    Vehicles and Varnishes
    Waxes

    Chemours Begins Commissioning Newest Sand Mine in Clay County, FL

    Evonik Increases Production Capacity for ACEMATT Matting Agents

    Evonik Enjoys 31% Growth in 1H 2022

    Quinacridone Pigments Market Size Projected to Reach $539 Million by 2030: Straits

    Chemours Details Progress in Fifth Corporate Responsibility Commitment Report
    Energy-Curing Equipment
    Mills and Mixers
    Testing, Color and QC

    Integrate Safety and Ergonomics in ROSS Ribbon Blenders

    Paul N. Gardner Offers Bacharach Sling Psychrometer

    Little Joe Industries

    IM GROUP Wins Best Industrial Tinting System Award for Ninth Consecutive Year

    ROSS Planetary Dual Dispersers Offer Unique Processing Flexibility
    Buyers Guide
    Distributor Guide
    European Ink Directory
    U.S. Ink Directory
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    ALVAR Inc. /ALVAR Resins, Inc

    Keim-Additec Surface USA, LLC

    Shamrock Technologies, Inc.

    Evonik Corporation

    Munzing
    Industry Events
    Live from Show Event
    Webinars
    Top Events
    Labelexpo Americas 2022
    • Magazine
      • Current / Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Directory
      • Buyers Guide
      • Distributor Guide
      • European Ink Directory
      • U.S. Ink Directory
      • Trade Associations
    • Printing Inks
      • Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics
      • Graphic Arts Coatings
      • Inkjet Inks and Toners
      • Marking and Pad Printing Inks
      • News Inks
      • Packaging Flexo Inks
      • Packaging Gravure Inks
      • Publication Gravure Inks
      • Publication Offset Inks
      • Screen Inks
      • Sheetfed Inks
      • Specialty Inks
      • UV and EB Inks
    • Raw Materials
      • Additives
      • Energy-Curable Materials
      • Flushed Colors and Pigments
      • Metallics and Special Effects Pigments
      • Resins
      • Vehicles and Varnishes
      • Waxes
    • Equipment
      • Energy-Curing Equipment
      • Mills and Mixers
      • Testing, Color and QC
    • Top Companies
      • Top North American Companies
      • Top International Companies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Expert's Opinion
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Podcasts
    • Blog
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Jobs
    • Supplier Microsites
      • Companies
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Whitepapers
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Videos
      • Jobs
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Features

    The Changing World of European Pigments

    ...

    The Changing World of  European Pigments
    Related CONTENT
    • CHINACOAT2017 Set for Nov. 15-17, 2017 in Shanghai
    • HuntsmanClariant Deal Continues to Move Forward
    • DuPont and Dow Merger Will Close Aug. 31, 2017
    • The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report
    • The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report
    Sean Milmo, European Editor08.01.17
    The European supply chain for printing ink pigments is currently going through a transition period, which has raised hopes for greater stability in prices and more secure availability of products. But these expectations may turn out to be overly optimistic.

    There is currently less reliance on imports. At the upper end of the market, there are larger quantities of pigments being made by European-based producers, although these are becoming more concentrated as a result of mergers and acquisitions.

    However, for the moment, there is little evidence that these changes will be able to eliminate the usual problems of volatile prices and frequent shortages of certain organic pigments.

    The biggest recent fluctuations in prices has been with titanium dioxide (TiO2), which after weakening for a while, began to rise sharply last year and looks likely to continue to increase for much of the rest of 2017.

    Uncertainties about future trends in Europe’s TiO2 market have been exacerbated by acquisitions and disinvestments, which are triggering cuts in capacity.

    Doubts about future supplies and costs is forcing printing ink producers to consider once again ways of reformulating with alternative materials so that they can reduce the TiO2 content of their products.

    Throughout most printing sectors in Europe, there is a growing preference for more and stronger colors, together with more sophisticated and novel special effects.

    Titanium Dioxide

    In some cases companies have moved out of pigments altogether or some parts of its market. Huntsman, a major supplier of speciality TiO2 for printing inks, announced last year it was following the example of DuPont by spinning off its pigments operations into the newly created company Venator Corp., which, in addition to TiO2, is making iron and other metal oxides, ultramarines and carbon black. The divestment comes only two years after Huntsman acquired Rockwell Holdings’ TiO2 activities, including its 30,000 tons a year Sachtleben facility in Germany for making titanium dioxide for inks.

    Huntsman’s planned withdrawal from the TiO2 sector means that the pigments business of the merged HuntsmanClariant will comprise mainly Clariant’s premium and high performance products for printing inks and other coatings.

    The acquisition by Tronos of Saudi Arabian-owned Cristal will leave the European TiO2 market consisting primarily of an expanded Tronos, Kronos, DuPont’s spin-off Chemours and Venator.

    Analysts expect there will be soon be further consolidation, probably as a result of expansions by Chinese operators. There has been speculation that Lomon Billions of China, now the world’s fourth largest TiO2 producer, wants a stronger presence in Europe. In October 2016, Henan Billions Chemical Company Ltd merged with Sichuan Lomon Titanium Industry Company Ltd to form Lomon Billions. Henan Billions had previously purchased Huntsman’s TIOXIDE®TR52 titanium dioxide pigment business, which is designed for use in inks, in October 2014, later rebranding the pigment BILLIONS®TR52 pigment.

    Overcapacity in TiO2 in China following a slowdown in demand growth in the country has prompted Chinese producers to divert output to European and North American markets, where prices of the pigment have been rising strongly.

    Prices have been increasing in Europe since reaching a trough at the end of 2015. By early 2017, they had recovered to the same levels as two years previously. Then ink makers were hit by steep increases after a fire badly damaged a 130,000 ton a year Huntsman plant at Pori, Finland, which makes most of the company’s graphics art grades for the European market.

    In the UK, TiO2 prices soared by 22% in the early part of this year, according to the 2017 Raw Materials Survey of the British Coatings Federation (BCF), whose members include ink producers. In addition to TiO2 shortages, a weak UK pound was also a factor behind the increase.

    European TiO2 prices for the grade went up so sharply that the shutdown of the plant had much less of an impact on the company’s finances than expected. The first quarter sales for Huntsman’s pigments and additives operation were almost static compared to a year ago, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) dropped by nearly 18% because of the fire.

    The tightness between supply and demand in TiO2 in Europe seems destined to continue well into the second half of the year. This will help to reinforce a return to profitability of TiO2 producers, but it will put further pressure on the margins of inks and other coatings makers.

    Despite rising prices, TiO2 producers have been continuing to cut capacity in Europe even before they started to reorganize their activities in the wake of the latest acquisitions. Before spinning off its pigments operations, Huntsman has been conducting a phased closure of a TiO2 plant at Calais in northern France.

    However, much of the capacity reductions have been focused on commodity materials while producers endeavor to ensure that specialty and more profitable grades make up a higher proportion of their output.

    The strategy has been to improve quality through greater uniformity in the sizing, shaping and surface modification of the pigment particles, which helps make printed surfaces more eye catching and visually attractive. Ironically, similar processing methods are being applied by producers of calcium carbonate and other fillers to increase their refraction power so that less TiO2 needs to be used.

    Particle Science and REGULATIONS

    This emphasis on size and shape of particles and their surface preparation has been employed across the pigments industry, especially dispersions makers. This has been a growing trend throughout the pigments sector in Europe, particularly those for printing ink sectors like packaging, digital printing, textiles and niche segments such as ceramics.

    Lanxess has used particle science to develop a highly saturated red iron oxide for printing inks and other sectors with a greater range of shades than with traditional oxides.

    Modification of particles is considered to be an important way of improving UV curing of inks. This is particularly the case with the growing application of UV curing in inkjet printing, in which there is already a need for careful sizing, surface treatment and distribution of pigments to avoid clogging of printhead nozzles.

    Producers of premium inks have been targeting the digital sector because they can exploit their technological expertise in high performing pigments to take advantage of a market with an above average growth rate.

    Clariant has been introducing pigments for both inkjet inks and toners with a high level of color stability and fastness combined with a wide color spectrum. The company has also been extending its range of bio-based pigments for the digital sector as part of its strategy of being a leader in the development of eco pigments.

    The technological advances being achieved by ink producers in nanotechnology has been exemplified by the nano pigments applied by Landa Corporation in its new Nanographic presses being introduced in Europe.

    BASF has formed a partnership with Landa to use its nano-pigment technology to develop a range of ultra-high transparency pigments to provide a new generation of colors and effects pigments for automotive coatings.

    However, a conflict with health and environmental standards could be emerging as printing ink producers start to become more reliant on nanotechnology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its pigments.

    Already a number of European states have introduced mandatory schemes for the registration of nanomaterials or products containing nano substances.

    At the European Union level, producers of chemicals such as TiO2 that are supplied with particles deliberately reduced to a nano size have to provide safety information on these nano forms. This data has to be included in safety profiles of the chemical when it is registered with the EU’s European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) under the Union’s REACH legislation on control of chemicals.

    The use of nanoparticles in food packaging inks may also be restricted by legislation being drawn up by the European Commission, the Brussels-based EU executive, in response to a move by the German government to introduce its own regulation on printing inks in direct or indirect contact with food stuffs.

    The German government has agreed to suspend its Printing Ink Ordinance to allow the EU to introduce an alternative. But the Germans have threatened to reintroduce the ordinance if the EU legislation does not deal adequately with issues tackled by the German regulation.

    The ordinance bans the use of nanoparticles in printing ink substances unless a risk assessment concludes that they are safe as a food contact material.

    TiO2 in printed inks and other products is also being threatened by possible EU regulatory controls after the risk assessment committee (RAC) of Helsinki-based ECHA recommended in June that the pigment be categorized as a suspected carcinogen.

    Commentators believe that even if ECHA accepts the committee’s recommendation, it is unlikely to be supported by the European Commission, which will make the final decision.

    The regulatory dangers hanging over TiO2 and nano pigments will be another long term uncertainty for ink producers in addition to continual worries about prices and availability.

    European Editor Sean Milmo is an Essex, UK-based writer specializing in coverage of the chemical industry.
    Related Searches
    • pigment
    • coatings
    • nanographic
    • textiles
    Related Knowledge Center
    • Flushed Colors and Pigments
    Suggested For You
    CHINACOAT2017 Set for Nov. 15-17, 2017 in Shanghai CHINACOAT2017 Set for Nov. 15-17, 2017 in Shanghai
    HuntsmanClariant Deal Continues to Move Forward HuntsmanClariant Deal Continues to Move Forward
    DuPont and Dow Merger Will Close Aug. 31, 2017 DuPont and Dow Merger Will Close Aug. 31, 2017
    The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report
    The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report
    HuntsmanClariant Merger on Track HuntsmanClariant Merger on Track
    Investors Buy Stake in Clariant in Bid to Halt Huntsman Merger Investors Buy Stake in Clariant in Bid to Halt Huntsman Merger
    Lanxess Names Dowd and Guild Distributor for Material Protection Products Lanxess Names Dowd and Guild Distributor for Material Protection Products
    Dow, DuPont Provide Update on Merger Dow, DuPont Provide Update on Merger
    DuPont Honors Bemis in 2017 Packaging Innovation Competition DuPont Honors Bemis in 2017 Packaging Innovation Competition
    Clariant and Huntsman to Combine in Merger of Equals Clariant and Huntsman to Combine in Merger of Equals
    LANXESS Successfully Completes Acquisition of Chemtura LANXESS Successfully Completes Acquisition of Chemtura
    Dow and DuPont Receive Conditional Approval from EC Dow and DuPont Receive Conditional Approval from EC
    Huntsman to Close Remaining Operations at Titanium Dioxide Facility in Calais, France Huntsman to Close Remaining Operations at Titanium Dioxide Facility in Calais, France
    DuPont DuPont

    Related Breaking News

    • Additives | Breaking News | Energy-Curable Materials | Energy-Curing Equipment | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Industry News | Ink Manufacturers News | Metallics and Special Effects Pigments | Mills and Mixers | Resins | Suppliers News | Testing, Color and QC | Vehicles and Varnishes | Waxes
      CHINACOAT2017 Set for Nov. 15-17, 2017 in Shanghai

      CHINACOAT2017 Set for Nov. 15-17, 2017 in Shanghai

      More than 1,150 companies will be exhibiting this year.
      08.18.17

    • Breaking News | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Mergers and Acquisitions | Suppliers News

      HuntsmanClariant Deal Continues to Move Forward

      US FTC delivers second request for information to the parties relating to two products.
      08.16.17

    • Breaking News | Conductive Inks and Printed Electronics | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Ink Manufacturers News | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Mergers and Acquisitions

      DuPont and Dow Merger Will Close Aug. 31, 2017

      With all conditions satisfied, closing date is set for merger of equals.
      08.07.17


    • The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report

      The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report

      Challenges Ahead for the International Ink Industry
      07.28.17

    • Additives | Flushed Colors and Pigments | Ink Manufacturers News | Inkjet Inks and Toners | Mergers and Acquisitions | Printers News | Publication Gravure Inks | Publication Offset Inks | Sheetfed Inks | Suppliers News
      The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report

      The 2017 Top International Ink Companies Report

      Challenges Ahead for the International Ink Industry
      David Savastano, Editor 07.28.17

    Loading, Please Wait..
    Trending
    • CPIPC Takes To The Links!
    • MNYPIA Enjoys A Record-Setting Day At The Links!
    • Scenes From RadTech 2022
    • MNYPIA Returns To The Links!
    • Avient Signs Agreement To Divest Distribution Business
    Breaking News
    • Flint Group to Highlight AQUACode Inks, Xiekon IDERA at Corrugated Week 2022
    • DuPont Selects 2022 Lavoisier and Pedersen Award Medalists
    • Chemours Begins Commissioning Newest Sand Mine in Clay County, FL
    • Avient Signs Agreement to Divest Distribution Business
    • Marabu to Present Safe Inks for Indirect Contact with Food at K 2022
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    July 2022

    • Digital Printing Makes Significant Inroads into Corrugated Market
    • The 2022 ink Additives Report
    • Fujifilm’s opens new US RxD dispersion facility in Delaware
    • Jim Leitch Honored with NAPIM’s 2022 Ault Award
    • NAPIM Honors Five Industry Leaders with 2022 Pioneer Awards
    • Anthony Ameo receives NAPIM Pioneer Award
    • Larry Bykerk receives NAPIM Pioneer Award
    • Bill McPartland receives NAPIM Pioneer Award
    • Dave Savastano receives NAPIM Pioneer Award
    • Dennis Sweet receives NAPIM Pioneer Award
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    PLT to Supply Traceable, Standardized Organic Elderberry Extract
    Herbalist and Alchemist Celebrates 40th Anniversary, Announces Expansion
    BASF Venture Capital and Aqua-Spark invest in Sea6 Energy
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    PPG Appoints Brad Budde Vice President and Chief Digital Officer
    AkzoNobel Creates Bespoke Colors for Volotea’s 10th Anniversary Livery
    Axalta: Red Continues as Most Preferred Car Color of Consumers in Mexico
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Study: RhinAer Treatment Improves Chronic Rhinitis Symptoms
    CE Mark Granted for IVF Decision Support Tool
    FDA Approves Full-Body MRI Compatibility With Inspire Therapy
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Octapharma Adopts Automated Application System from Schreiner MediPharm
    Rentschler Biopharma Appoints Mark Caswell as VP, Site Head
    Cellipont Unveils Plans for Cell Therapy Facility in Houston
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    The Estée Lauder Companies Delivers Strong Results in Fiscal 2022
    Fastest-Growing Consumer Product Companies in the U.S.
    Winky Lux is Among the Top 20 Fastest-Growing Beauty Companies
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Fenty Beauty Introduces Eaze Drop’lit All-Over Glow Enhancer Makeup
    EPA Calls for Nominations for 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards
    Strands Hair Care Introduces The Hair Lab
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Flint Group to Highlight AQUACode Inks, Xiekon IDERA at Corrugated Week 2022
    DuPont Selects 2022 Lavoisier and Pedersen Award Medalists
    Chemours Begins Commissioning Newest Sand Mine in Clay County, FL
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Techkon USA announces latest handheld spectrodensitometer
    Maxcess China now manufacturing solid dies in Huzhou
    Avery Dennison debuts new adhesive for wine and spirits
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    INDA Appoints Director of Membership and Industry Relations
    Nexwear Acquires Incontinence Products Brand Lily Bird
    Because Market Expands into Retail Stores
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    FDA Clears Accelus' Toro-L Interbody Fusion System
    FDA OKs VySpine's VyPlate Anterior Cervical Plates
    Moximed Raises $40M for Knee OA Shock Absorber Implant
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    ORNL Celebrates Launch of Frontier, the World’s Fastest Supercomputer
    DuPont Names 2022 Lavoisier and Pedersen Award Medalists
    Photonic Glasses Give Solar Panels Pleasing Colors

    Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login