PIGMENTS | MATERIALS
Developers of black and white pigments for plastic compounds are acting in response to sustainability drivers and regulatory and market pressures. Jennifer Markarian reports
Battling the challenges in black and white pigments
Both black and white pigments provide colour and function in many plastics applications, such as protection from ultraviolet (UV) light, either alone or as part of a colour formulation. Tinting strength and undertone, which are related to material properties such as particle size and particle size distribution, are important characteristics. Environmental characteristics, including product carbon footprint (ie the energy used in producing the pigment) as well as recyclability and health and safety, are also increasingly important for colours and additives. Companies in the titanium dioxide (TiO2
) market,
widely used in white pigments for plastics, are facing some particular challenges. Some of those with operations in Europe have announced closures
this year due to financial pressures. In March, TiO2 pigment manufacturer Tronox announced that it would idle its 90,000 tonnes/yr TiO2
plant in Botlek,
Netherlands. CEO John D Romano said in the announcement that the move was “the result of an extensive review of our asset footprint driven by the ongoing global supply imbalance caused by
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Chinese competition as well as an increasingly challenged operating environment over the last two and a half years. Idling our Botlek facility enables the optimisation of our remaining facilities and improves our overall manufacturing costs.” Tronox said that demand had softened, mirror-
ing broader trends, but that the company has leveraged its global network to ensure continuity for plastics producers. “Flagship high-performance products such as TiONA 288 TF and TiONA RCL-69 are now being imported into Europe, offering masterbatch producers reliable alternatives with proven performance. Additionally, the transfer of TiONA 8300 production to the UK has progressed rapidly, safeguarding supply of this durable product, particularly vital for the PVC segment.” In October, administrators at Venator Group announced the sale of its Greatham, UK site and associated TiO2
LB Group due to difficult market conditions (see
News page 10). Venator Group manufactures TiO2 pigments and performance additives, operating
November 2025 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 19
Main image: Tronox develops pigments for plastics at its R&D center in Oklahoma City, US
pigment assets to Chinese company
IMAGE: TRONOX
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