Inorganic Pigments Global Market Report 2025

The inorganic pigments market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $29.19 billion in 2024 to $30.84 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to construction industry growth, paints and coatings demand, automotive sector requirements, plastics and packaging industry, textile and printing applications.

The inorganic pigments market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $39.38 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing infrastructure development projects, growing advancements in specialty pigments, automotive industry trends, sustainable and eco-friendly practices, packaging innovation. Major trends in the forecast period include growing use of inorganic pigments in construction materials, innovation in metallic and pearlescent pigments, increased emphasis on product traceability and quality control, adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices, customization and tailored solutions for end-user industries.

The forecast of 6.3% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by raising prices for paints and coatings due to reliance on Chinese and Indian imports, impacting construction and automotive industries. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The inorganic pigments market experiences growth driven by increased construction activities, which have surged due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. Inorganic pigments play a crucial role in paints and coatings used in construction, providing color to maintain exterior durability. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's report on monthly construction spending in 2022, construction spending was anticipated to reach $1.74 trillion in April 2022, indicating a 0.8% increase from the revised March estimate of $1.74 trillion. Thus, the escalating expenditure on construction activities is a key factor propelling the expansion of the inorganic pigments market.

The anticipated growth of the inorganic pigment market is further fueled by the thriving textile industry. The textile industry encompasses the production and processing of fibers, yarns, textiles, and finished textile goods. Inorganic pigments find widespread use in textile dyeing and printing, providing a diverse range of colors, tints, and patterns to align with customer preferences and design trends. For example, the National Council of Textile Organization revealed that textile and garment shipments in the United States reached $65.8 billion in December 2022. Hence, the growing textile industry emerges as a significant driver for the inorganic pigment market.

A key trend in the inorganic pigments market is product innovation. Companies within the market are focusing on innovative products, including dispersing agents, ultra-low moisture pigments, lead-free coatings, and more, to enhance their market position. Clariant, a Switzerland-based specialty chemicals manufacturer, exemplifies this trend with the launch of its first universal polymeric dispersing agent for high-quality pigment preparations in June 2022. This innovative solution can incorporate both organic and inorganic pigments and is suitable for all water-based paint systems, offering simplicity and multifunctionality to pigment paste producers and paint manufacturers.

Inorganic pigments are coloring agents derived from natural minerals or ores, including oxides, sulfurides, or various metallic salts. These pigments find application in coloring rubber, plastics, glass, ceramics, and architectural coatings.

The primary types of inorganic pigments are categorized into natural inorganic pigments and synthetic inorganic pigments. Natural inorganic pigments are extracted directly from the Earth's surface in their natural states, such as ochers and umbers. These pigments derive their color from substances such as iron oxide and hydroxide. Synthetic inorganic pigments are composed of elements such as carbon black, chromium oxide, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and others. They are employed in various industries, including plastics, paints and coatings, printing inks, glass and ceramics, cosmetics, the paper industry, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry, among other applications.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The escalating U.S. tariffs and rising trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to significantly affect the chemicals sector, which is facing a disproportionate impact - particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic alternatives are limited. Specialty chemical producers, who rely heavily on Chinese raw materials, are encountering production disruptions. Meanwhile, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing their profit margins squeezed due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are increasing investments in R&D for bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to strengthen purchasing power, and relocating production to tariff-neutral countries like Saudi Arabia.

The inorganic pigments market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides inorganic pigments market statistics, including Inorganic pigments industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an inorganic pigments market share, detailed inorganic pigments market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the inorganic pigments industry. These inorganic pigments market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Major companies in the inorganic pigments market are adopting a strategic partnership approach for the distribution of inorganic color and anti-corrosive pigments. This involves leveraging each other's strengths and resources to achieve mutual benefits. For instance, in January 2022, Habich GmbH, an Austria-based manufacturing company specializing in inorganic and anti-corrosive pigments, announced a distribution partnership with Profiltra BV, a Netherlands-based machinery manufacturing company. This partnership expands Profiltra's product line to include a broad spectrum of inorganic colored and anti-corrosion pigments, allowing Habich to increase its sales activity in potential markets supplied by Profiltra, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

In April 2023, Cathay Industries, a Hong Kong-based company in the chemical industry, acquired the iron oxide business of Venator Materials LLC for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enables Cathay to expand its global manufacturing capabilities by incorporating eight production facilities and one administrative site across six countries on four continents, enhancing its ability to customize products and respond to customer needs. Venator Materials LLC, based in the UK, is a provider of inorganic pigments.

Major companies operating in the inorganic pigments market include BASF SE, Atul Ltd., EI du Pont de Nemours and Company, Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd., Lanxess AG, Huntsman Corporation, DIC Corporation, The Chemours Company, Cabot Corporation, Clariant International Ltd., Kemira Oyj, Wacker Chemie AG, Kronos Worldwide Inc., Rockwood Holdings Inc., Ferro Corporation GmbH, Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd., Heubach GmbH, Tronox Limited, Sudarshan Chemical Industries Ltd., Cinkarna Celje, Cathay Industries, Venator Materials Plc, Toyal America Inc., Lomon Billions Group, Meghmani Organics Ltd., Neelikon Food Dyes & Chemicals Ltd., Kolorjet Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Triveni Interchem Pvt. Ltd., TAYCA Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the inorganic pigments market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the inorganic pigments market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the inorganic pigments market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The inorganic pigments market consists of sales of lead oxide and cobalt blue. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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