Classic Organic Pigments Market

Classic Organic Pigments Market Size

The global classic organic pigments market generated significant revenues in 2024 and is expected to grow at a notable CAGR during 2025-2034, due to the transition toward sustainable and green materials in the production of goods. Classic organic pigments are the class of colored materials derived from organic compounds, such as the one below, that are used extensively in many industries - printing inks, plastics, textiles, and paints because of their brilliant color, tinting strength, and lightfastness against weathering.

For instance, in October 2024, Archroma launched the NTR Printing System for commercial bio-based pigment printing, aiming to advance printing with renewable raw materials and safer chemistry. It was the first system to use renewable feedstock in all key components—pigment dispersion, binder, and fixing agent. Consumers and industries are continuing to trend toward non-toxic, environmentally safe alternatives, which promotes the organic pigments trend over synthetic or inorganic alternatives.

Not to mention, as many industries continue to implement stricter environmental regulations, notably in Europe and North America, organic pigments are becoming a suitable alternative to heavy-metal-based pigments. These factors are presenting new opportunities for organic pigment manufacturers and suppliers to grow. As the pace of product innovation continues and industries continue to heighten their expectations for the aesthetics and durability of end products, the market is expected to grow.

Classic Organic Pigments Market Trends

The classic organic pigments industry is changing due to many dynamics that yield dramatic shifts in technology, use, and consumer expectations. There is an accelerating trend toward pigments that embrace the green movement and sustainability initiatives, which is evident in the development of bio-based pigments and the shift away from heavy metals and organic pigments. Also, there is a trend toward higher usage of high-performance pigments in automotive coatings and industrial coatings that have better weather resistance, color fastness, and dispersion.

Advances in surface treatment technology and recent developments in nanotechnology are also allowing manufacturers to improve the functionality of the pigments and the compatibility with different coating and polymer systems. Digital printing and evolving packaging methods are pushing organic pigments into new usage in high-speed inkjet and flexographic printing where color fastness and reproducibility have increased importance. Closely intertwined with these developments, is the customizing of pigment formulations to meet regulatory and performance specifications in specific industries like food packaging, toys, and cosmetics.

The shift away from traditional solvent-borne systems to waterborne and low VOC systems has also led to pigment producers adapting their product offerings in response to new binder chemistries. Finally, as globalization has opened pigment supply chains and shifted the market towards potentially fewer competitors it becomes commonplace for large players within the market to further aggregate into larger firms through mergers and acquisitions. It is not uncommon to see vertical integration, which allows players to marginalize smaller players and reposition themselves to hold more sway with suppliers.

Classic Organic Pigments Market Analysis

The classic organic pigments market from paints & coatings segment held a sizeable share in 2024 accounting for the largest share through 2034. The high chromatic performance and durability of organic pigments have made them an essential ingredient found in decorative, protective, and industrial coatings. Since organic pigments are miscible with other binders and solvents, they are often suitable for use in both aqueous and solvent-borne paints.

Organic pigments are derived from renewable sources and have been rapidly growing attributes of durability and high-performance aspects of pigments to their use in architectural paints, automotive coatings, and industrial finishes, which are developing rapidly due to urbanization and expansion of construction activity in emerging economies.

Organic pigments provide aesthetics at the appropriate shade, staying power to weather, UV, and chemicals, all making them essential components in performance coatings. The effort towards low-VOC and consumer/product-friendly waterborne coatings has also provided impetus and increased reliance on classic organic pigments, that follow green chemistry tenets, in this sector.

Changes in dispersion formulation and pigment surface changes using innovation in nanotechnology are also aiding the dispersion characteristics of pigments and improving compatibility in advanced structure coatings systems. The increasing global construction & renovation demands and focus on the sustainability of materials are expected to see the paints and coatings segment lead the demand for classic organic pigments.

The azo pigments segment in the classic organic pigments market is projected to continue to lead and capture market share through 2034. Azo pigments are classified as those that are derived from diazo compounds and therefore produced by a class of synthetic organic chemistry. Azo's have been used significantly in printing inks, paints, plastics, and textiles. Azo pigments can demonstrate excellent lightfastness and heat stability and due to high tinting strength, they are typically well-suited for demanding applications.

Azo reds, oranges, and yellows have consistently been an industry favorite in finishes for automobiles, inks for packaging, and coatings for consumer goods and other areas. They are easy and cost-effective for producers to create shades that best suit a) the devised application and b) market a shade spectrum that is much higher than competing pigments at the same cost point.

However, as with the unregulated toxicity of ALL pigments, the environmental and health regulatory implications of using some azo's as they may release aromatic amines when the end-product experiences degradative conditions is increasing particularly in Europe however pricing and performance are still driving significant usage of these pigments even in the face of scrutiny.

Asia Pacific classic organic pigments market is expected to hold the largest share through 2034. The rapid growth and increasingly populous countries of Asia (China, India, Japan, and South Korea) have an established and expanding domestic manufacturing base. In particular, the thriving paint, plastics, textiles, and printing sectors are the dominant sources of pigment production and consumption on a regional basis.

The increasing demand for decorative and industrial paints and coatings fueled by rapid industrialization and urban infrastructure will sustain regional growth as well as a strong manufacturing base in high-value decorative and product packaging (consumer goods) applications. The region's low-cost raw materials and labor, and ongoing investment in R&D by a strong cohort of regional players, will help maintain competitive advantage. Interestingly, in the West, major regulatory reforms such as regulatory framework and compliance with REACH have encouraged global players to offshore locally or relocate pigment manufacturing to Asia and increase capacity in the region.

Classic Organic Pigments Market Share

Key organizations operating in the global classic organic pigments industry include:

• Hangzhou Origo Chemical Co., Ltd.
• SYNTHESIA, a.s.
• Brenntag Specialties Inc.
• Trust Chem Europe BV
• Cathay Industries
  

To strengthen their market presence and maintain a competitive edge, companies in the classic organic pigments market are implementing a range of strategic initiatives. One primary approach is expanding product portfolios through innovation in pigment chemistry and formulation to address evolving environmental regulations and performance expectations. This includes the development of eco-friendly, heavy-metal-free, and high-durability pigments.

Another common strategy involves capacity expansion and localization of production, particularly in Asia Pacific, to meet growing regional demand and reduce supply chain costs. Strategic partnerships and mergers have also been prevalent, allowing firms to access new technologies, broaden market reach, and consolidate manufacturing capabilities. Additionally, leading players are investing in sustainable sourcing of raw materials and incorporating circular economy principles in their production processes.

Classic Organic Pigments Industry News

• In March 2023, The Heubach Group launched its new Ultrazur™ line at PlastIndia 2023, featuring four shades of Ultramarine Blue pigments. The pigments were produced at its newly built facility in Dahej, India, for both standard and high-performance applications.