U.S. pigment demand to increase 5.2% yearly through 2009.

In the U.S., demand for color pigments is forecasted to increase 5.2% per year to $3.4 billion through 2009, according to the study Pigments: Inorganic Organic, & Specialty, published by the Freedonia Group, an industrial market research firm.

Specialty pigments, such as pearlescent types, are projected to achieve the most rapid gains. According to the report, increase in demand is resulting from manufacturers of products such as paints and coatings, printing inks, plastics, leather, and cosmetics wanting more "unique and novel eye-catching optical effects." Certain luminescent pigments (e.g., phosphorescents) are also expected to achieve favorable gains over the next four years.

Growth in organic pigments will continue to benefit from the trend towards more expensive, high performance pigments and away from heavy metal-based inorganic pigments. Thus, inorganic pigments are expected to post below average gains through 2009 due to this phasing out of heavy metal types. Favorable opportunities do exist for certain types of inorganic pigments including complex inorganic pigments, which offer superior lightfastness and chemical resistance.

Nearly three-quarters of the color pigment demand in the U.S. is consumed by three major areas: paints and coatings, printing inks, and plastics. Of these, printing inks are expected to record the fastest growth, boosted by the use of metallic pigments in inks designed for packaging and promotional graphics, and increased use of phosphorescent pigments in anti-forgery, anti-counterfeiting, and other security applications.

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Growth opportunities for the paints and coatings and plastics markets will come from the desire for manufacturers to constantly create new colors and visual effects for product differentiation.

Pigments: Inorganic, Organic & Specialty can be obtained from The Freedonia Group by visiting www.freedoniagroup.com.