DYES AND PIGMENTS MARKET ANALYSIS

Dyes and pigments are colorants extensively used in the printing, textile, and automotive industries. Dyes are ionizing and aromatic compounds that show affinity towards the surface they are applied to. Color modifiers such as methyl and ethyl groups are used to alter the color of dyes. Dyes are used as colorants for various polymers and textile dyeing applications, as well as in the biotechnology industry. Dyes are available in various forms such as granules, liquids, pastes, pellets, dry powders, and chips and serve various decorative, aesthetic, and artistic purposes.

Pigment is organic or inorganic powdered solid which is insoluble. Pigments offer excellent characteristics such as good baking stability, excellent solvent resistance, easily dispersible nature, high tinting strength, and consistent unique shades. Pigments are also used in paints that are used for decorative and protective coatings. These are also used in coloration of various plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (ABS), urea-formaldehyde (U-F), nylons, and rubber.

Owing to the increasing application of dyes and pigments in various industries such as chemicals, textile, and automotive, the market for dyes and pigments is expected to witness growth over the forecast period (2017-2025)  

Dyes and Pigments Market Taxonomy

On the basis of type of dyes, the dyes and pigments market is segmented into:

• Acid dyes
• VAT dyes
• Disperse dyes
• Reactive dyes
• Direct dyes

On the basis of pigments, the dyes and pigments market is segmented into:

• Organic pigments
• Inorganic pigments
• Titanium dioxide pigments

On the basis of type of end use industry, dyes and pigments market is segmented into:

• Automotive
• Construction
• Chemicals
• Textile
• Leather
• Paper
• Paints & Coatings

Reactive dyes are specialty dyes of highly colored organic substances, which have primary application in tinting of textiles. Due to the reactive nature, these dyes tend to attach themselves to the fabric surface by a chemical reaction, thus forming a covalent bond between the molecule of dye and fiber. Acid dyes exhibit characteristics such as anionic nature, which makes them suitable for wool, modified acrylics polyamide, and silk. Titanium dyes are used in industrial paints, printing inks, powder coatings, construction industry rubber, gloss tinting bases, enamels, paints and coatings, and in various plastic applications. The extensive range of application of titanium dyes is attributed to its properties such as low oil absorption and excellent tint strength. This in turn, contributes to demand for dyes and pigments, thus fueling growth of the dyes and pigments market.

Dyes and Pigments Market Outlook – Growth of Textile Industry Expected to Amplify Demand

Dyes and pigments are extensively used in the textile and automotive industries. Growing automobile and textile industries are expected to increase the demand for dyes and pigments. Asia Pacific is expected to be a major contributor for growth of the dyes and pigments market. Rapidly growing textile industry in the emerging economies such as India and China is one of the major factors contributing to the growth of the market in the region. According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), during FY 2015-16, the textile industry in India employed around 40 million workers and exported textile products worth US$ 40 billion. This, in turn, has augmented growth of the dyes and pigments market in the region.

Increasing regulatory restrictions on production of dyes and pigments is expected to be one of the major factors restraining growth of the dyes and pigments market. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, has implemented regulations that enlist potential effects of waste generated from the production of azo, triarylmethane, and anthraquinone dye and pigment product classes.

Expanding production, distribution, and research on improving properties of ecofriendly colorants are some of the key strategies adopted by top players in the global dyes and pigments industry. These dyes and pigments are usually used for coloring textiles, paper, plastics, leather, inks, paints/coatings, food, drugs, and cosmetics.

Some of the major companies operating in the dyes and pigments market are Clariant AG, BASF SE, DIC Corporation Kiri Industries Ltd., Atul Limited, Sudharshan Chemical Industries Limited, Huntsman Corporation, Kronos Worldwide, Inc., Lanxess AG, and Tronox Limited.

Key Developments

1. Major companies in the market are adopting various business strategies such as merger and acquisition, in order to enhance their market presence. For instance, in August 2019, DIC Corporation, a Japanese chemicals company, acquired BASF’s global pigment business, which is known as BASF Colors and Effects (BCE). The acquisition will broaden DIC’s portfolio as global manufacturer of pigments.
2. Key companies in the market are involved in various business strategies such as business expansion, in order to gain competitive edge in the market. For instance, in May 2019, LANXESS, a specialty chemicals company, expanded its Macrodex dyes production plant at the CHEMPARK, Leverkusen. With this expansion, the capacity was increased by around 25%.
3. Key companies in the market focused on various growth strategies such as merger and acquisition, in order to enhance their market presence. For instance, in INEOS Enterprises, the specialty chemicals company, acquired National Titanium Dioxide Company Limited (Cristal) from Tronox Limited. This would provide INEOS a great opportunity in pigments market.