PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1926958
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1926958
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.
Tariffs are impacting the inorganic pigments market by increasing costs of imported mineral ores, metal oxides, chemical intermediates, and high-purity processing equipment. Paints and coatings manufacturers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported titanium dioxide and specialty pigments, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on export-oriented pigment production. These tariffs are elevating raw material costs and squeezing supplier margins. However, they are also encouraging domestic mineral sourcing, regional pigment production, and development of alternative inorganic pigment formulations.
The inorganic pigments market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides inorganic pigments market statistics, including inorganic pigments industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a 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. This inorganic pigments market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The inorganic pigments market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $30.84 billion in 2025 to $32.69 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of construction and infrastructure activities, growth of plastics and polymer manufacturing, rising demand for durable coatings, availability of mineral-based raw materials, increasing use of pigments in ceramics.
The inorganic pigments market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $42.02 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable and non-toxic pigments, expansion of high-performance coatings applications, rising adoption in automotive and industrial plastics, growing focus on pigment recycling and reuse, increasing investments in advanced pigment processing. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high-performance mineral pigments, increasing use of heat-resistant and uv-stable pigments, growing adoption in architectural and industrial coatings, expansion of application in plastics and ceramics, enhanced focus on color consistency and durability.
The growth in construction activities is driving the inorganic pigments market. Construction has been increasing due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. Inorganic pigments are key components in paints and coatings used in buildings and other construction equipment, providing color while maintaining exterior durability. For instance, in August 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, production in construction in June 2024 increased by 1.0% in the euro area compared with June 2023. Therefore, rising investment in construction is supporting the growth of the inorganic pigments market.
Major companies in the inorganic pigments market are focusing on developing sustainable and high-performance pigments to improve color quality, durability, and environmental compliance in industrial applications. High-performance pigments are designed to deliver superior color strength, durability, chemical and thermal stability, and eco-friendly properties for demanding industrial uses. For instance, in February 2025, LANXESS, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, launched its sustainable Bayferrox yellow pigments. These pigments are engineered to provide vibrant color with lower environmental impact, improved lightfastness, and enhanced dispersibility, supporting eco-friendly applications in coatings, plastics, and construction materials.
In April 2023, Cathay Industries, a Hong Kong-based chemical industry company acquired Venator's iron oxide business from Venator Materials LLC for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition Cathay aims to enhance global manufacturing capabilities by adding eight manufacturing sites and one administrative site across six countries on four continents, allowing for better customization and responsiveness to customer needs. Venator Materials LLC is a UK-based compan that provides inorganic pigments.
Major companies operating in the inorganic pigments market are BASF SE, Atul Ltd., Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd., Lanxess AG, Huntsman Corporation, DIC Corporation, The Chemours Company, Cabot Corporation, Clariant International Ltd., Kronos Worldwide 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., TAYCA Corporation
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the inorganic pigments market in 2025. 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, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
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.
Inorganic Pigments Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses inorganic pigments market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for inorganic pigments ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The inorganic pigments market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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