The global aluminium pigments market is projected to increase at a stupendous pace in the years to come. Popularity of alumina-based products in the construction and manufacturing industries is believed to be behind the stellar growth rate of the global aluminium pigments market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 6.6 per cent between 2019 and 2027, according to a report.

Transparency Market Research estimates that the total value of the global aluminium pigments market is projected to reach $706 million by the end of 2027, rising up from an estimated value of $397.7 million in 2018.

Aluminium is an abundantly available metal that can be drawn into multiple forms and sheets. The chemical research sector has invested hefty amounts toward exploring advanced properties of pure and blended forms of aluminium. This has also brought aluminum pigments under the spotlight of industry players in recent years. Ease of manufacturing aluminium oxide that is later used for manufacturing alumina-based pigments has also contributed to the growth of the global aluminium pigments market. It is worthwhile to note that flakes of aluminium oxide attract high prices in the market, creating new growth opportunities for the respective vendors.

Alumina platelets are manufactured via an extensive process that involves the use of smooth aluminium oxide flakes. Use of the crystal growth process adds to the final cost of the end products. Therefore, aluminum pigments correspond to a premium segment of products within the global chemical industry. Despite the high cost of these products, the demand within the global aluminium pigments has skyrocketed in recent years. This trend can be attributed to the growing usage of aluminium pigments in construction applications and interior designing.

Aluminium pigments are available in different shapes and sizes

Consumer preference for high performance aluminium pigments with attractive aesthetic features has been rising significantly of late. Aluminium pigments are widely employed in the formulation of automotive paints and coatings to enhance their aesthetic properties.

Aluminum pigments are a special type of pigments that provide silver colour with excellent metallic effects. Pigments are broadly used to offer lustrous, glossy, and shiny effects. Aluminium pigments impart the metallic effect by scattering light on rough surfaces or reflecting light on a smooth surface. Usage of aluminium pigments helps provide metallic appearance to products, thus enhancing their esthetic features.

Aluminium pigments are available in different shapes and sizes such as lamellar flakes (cornflakes), lenticular flakes (silver-dollars), and vacuum metallised pigments (VMPs). Furthermore, aluminium pigments are classified into two groups – leafing and non-leafing – depending on wetting properties.

The global aluminium pigments market has been expanding significantly  in the last few years. Automotive industry has experienced considerable growth in developing countries over the last couple of years. This, in turn, has significantly boosted the demand for aluminium pigments in paints and coatings.

The emergence of advanced technologies in the development process of aluminium pigments is projected to create lucrative opportunities for the market during the forecast period.

Segmental Trends

Aluminium pigments are employed widely in paints and coatings, plastics, personal care, printing inks, and construction materials. Paints and coatings accounted for more than 45 per cent share in global aluminium pigments market in 2018. Aluminium pigments are used in paints and coatings to create metallic effect with good hiding power.

They also act as anti-corrosion and anti-reflection agents. These pigments are employed in various types of coatings such as automotive, refinish, coil, conductive, roof, heat resistance, and primers.

Plastic end-use stood second largest segment in global aluminium pigment market. Aluminium pigments impart metallic effect such as glittering in plastic industry. These pigments are widely used in thermoplastics due to their functional properties.

Personal care was another lucrative end-user segment of the aluminium pigments market in 2018. Aluminium pigments are largely employed in the production of several personal care products such as eye shadows, nail varnishes, mascara, blushers, shampoos, body washes, lotions, and creams to impart shimmering effects. The growth of the personal care industry is estimated to propel the market for aluminium pigments in the next few years.

The printing inks segment held substantial share in global aluminium pigments market in 2018. Aluminium pigments are widely used in printing inks to provide metallic effects to various items such as brochures, labels, packaging, carton boards, self-adhesive films, leather goods, and metals.

Regional Highlights

Asia Pacific was the largest consumer of the global aluminium pigments market in 2018. The region is estimated to dominate the market during the forecast period due to the increasing demand for these pigments in major end-user segments. Rising trend in the automotive industry in developing countries such as China, India, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia has fueled the demand for aluminium pigments in the paints and coatings segment. China is projected to be the largest consumer of aluminium pigments by 2027.

The paints and coatings industry has been driving the demand for aluminium pigments in developed regions such as North America and Europe. Decent growth in automotive industry is anticipated to encourage the growth of the aluminium pigments market in Europe and North America during the forecast period.

Middle East & Africa is expected to be a lucrative market for aluminium pigments during the forecast period. The paints and coatings segment is estimated to be the largest end-user of the aluminium pigments market in Middle East & Africa during the forecast period.

Key Developments

In January 2020, SCHLENK Metallic Pigments expanded pigment product line Zenexo which is based on UTP technology and finds applications in automotive segment.

In November 2019, DIC Corporation collaborated with Pigment Tokyo, an art materials lab operated by storage company Warehouse Terrada to provide DIC pigments for cosmetics, with a view to expanding the focus of marketing to include art application.

In September 2019, Silberline has undergone expansion of waterborne aluminium pigment in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania production facility.

In March 2019, Sun Chemical Performance Pigments launched Benda Lutz Compal PC, a highly concentrated aluminium preparation for powder coatings that comes in a groundbreaking pelletised form and eliminates dusting and helps in equipment clean-up and improves worker exposure.

Competition Landscape

Various large and medium scale manufacturers operate in the global aluminium pigments market. Intense rivalry is expected among established players due to the presence of integrated value chain.

Some of the leading players in the global aluminium pigments market include Alba Aluminiu, Altana, Asahi Kasei Corporation, BASF, Carlfors Bruk, Carl Schlenk, Geotech International, Metaflake, Metal Powder Company, Silberline Mono Pigment Developments, Sun Chemical Corporation and Toyal America.