Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Pigments
Sourcing Guide & Market Intelligence
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Pigments Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Pigments are dry powders used to add color to products such as paints, inks, textiles and cosmetics. These powders come in a variety of different colors and are made from many different kinds of metal bases. Pigments cover a variety of pigment types but focuses on pigments made from titanium dioxide, the most commonly used pigment type in the United States. Key buyers are cosmetic and beauty product manufacturers, paint manufacturers and textile mills.
This Report Includes:
- Paints
- Inks
- Textiles
- Cosmetics
- Pigments made from titanium dioxide
Not in this Report:
- Dyes
- Printer toner
Global Pigments Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Pigments market.
Warning Trends
Tariffs to negatively impact chemicals industry
- The Trump Administration’s reciprocal tariffs, which apply general tariff rate increases to most leading US trade partners in August, and raised tariffs on specific chemicals like branded and patented pharmaceutical products to 100.0% in October. These changes will significantly increase the tariff rate on leading chemical exporting countries, including the European Union (15.0%), Canada (35.0%), China (54.0%), Singapore (10.0%), and India (25.0%).
- Certain chemicals, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, phenols, ethylene, and titanium dioxide, are exempt from tariffs. However, according to Chemical Processing Magazine, tariffs, in general, are expected to add 2.0% to 5.0% to overall expenses for US chemical producers due to higher steel and equipment costs, as well as rising supply chain risk.
- China is a major supplier of chemicals to the United States, estimated to account for around 11.0% of total imports, according to the US Chamber of Commerce. Most of these imports are intermediate products used as inputs in domestic chemical production, meaning the tariffs will still impact chemical suppliers with US manufacturing operations.
- According to the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), the higher US tariff rate on imports of chemicals will disrupt supply chains and raise operating costs for domestic chemical manufacturers. Increased input costs are typically passed on to buyers in the form of higher prices.
- The United States is the most important export market for Germany’s chemical industry, and major suppliers like BASF are expected to be negatively impacted by the 15.0% tariff on the European Union member countries. However, chemicals covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) agreement, meaning those produced wholly in Mexico or Canada, will be exempt from tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, providing some relief for the highly integrated North American chemicals trade.
Global Pigments Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1 China | 330 |
| #2 Europe | 200 |
| #3 India | 165 |
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2
Geography Drilldown - US
Average Cost of Pigments
United States
2026 Market Pricing$700.00 to $X,XXX.XX
per metric tonAverage Price
Prices in the Pigments market range from $700.00 to $X,XXX.XX, depending on Volume, Base Chemical and Crystal Structure. For example, lower prices are associated with 3-10 metric tons ($700 to $7000 per metric ton), whereas higher prices are associated with 1-3 metric ton ($1000 to $6000 per metric ton).
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Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.
Pigments Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Pigments market, prices in the US have grown 0.7% from 2022 to 2025. Subscribers can access price trend forecasts, price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data. Learn more
United States (2022-2025)
United States (2025-2028)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
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Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.
Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Pigments
Total cost of ownership is Low in the Pigments market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs.
Negotiated Before
Customization
Transportation
Billed During
Disposal
Storage
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2026, buyer power amounts to -0.4 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Recent Developments. It is most negatively impacted by Forecast Price Trend. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as High, which has a negative impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Nonferrous Metal Refiners
- Inorganic Chemical Manufacturers
- Iron Ore Miners
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Mining, Oil & Gas Machinery Manufacturers
- Electric Power Transmission Providers
Biggest Pigments Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Pigments vendors by revenue in the US are Dic Corporation, Ferro Corporation and Venator Materials Plc. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tronox Holdings Plc | Global | STAMFORD, CT | 1,001-10,000 | 10-15 | ||||
| The Chemours Company | Global | WILMINGTON, DE | 1,001-10,000 | 15-20 | ||||
| Basf Se | Global | Ludwigshafen, DE | >10,001 | 20-25 | ||||
| Cabot Corporation | Global | BOSTON, MA | 1,001-10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Venator Materials Plc | Global | WYNYARD PARK, STOCKT | 1,001-10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Dic Corporation | Global | Tokyo, JP | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Lanxess AG | Global | Cologne, DE | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Clariant AG | Global | Muttenz, CH | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Ferro Corporation | Global | MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, OH | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
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Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Pigments market is 12.3% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Purchases. The cost trend for this component is stagnating, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
Vendor risk is moderate in the pigment market as vendors face moderate competition from substitutes and demand driver volatility.
There is a high level of market share concentration in the pigments manufacturing market. High barriers to entry resulting from high manufacturing and regulatory compliance costs have lead to high market share concentration.
Supply chain risk is high in this market. Vendors face highly volatile input costs due to instability in nonferrous metal markets.
The United States is a net importer of pigments, meaning it imports more pigments than it exports. This provides buyers in the United States with greater access to competitively priced products in the market.
Supplier Information
Tronox Holdings Plc
Tronox Holdings Plc is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include pigments. Founded in 2005, the company is currently headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America with an estimated 6611 employees. Subscribe to learn more
The Chemours Company
The Chemours Company is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors. The company's offerings include pigments and refrigerants. Founded in 2015, the company is currently headquartered in WILMINGTON, Delaware, United States of America with an estimated 6600 employees.... Subscribe to learn more
Basf Se
Basf Se is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing, manufacturing and professional, scientific & technical services sectors. The company's offerings include pesticides, refining catalysts, plasticizers, preservatives, waterproofing coatings. Founded in 1865, the company is currently headquartered... Subscribe to learn more
Cabot Corporation
Cabot Corporation is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include activated carbon and pigments. Founded in 1882, the company is currently headquartered in BOSTON, Massachusetts, United States of America with an estimated 4200 employees. Subscribe to learn more
Venator Materials Plc
Venator Materials PLC is engaged in the manufacture and marketing of Titanium dioxide and performance additives, which include functional additives, color pigments, timber treatment, and water treatment businesses. It sells and markets to industrial and architectural coatings, construction materials, plastics,... Subscribe to learn more
Cathay Industries Group
OXERRA Group is a private company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include pigments. Founded in 1979, the company is currently headquartered in Kowloon, Singapore, Singapore with an estimated 750 employees. Subscribe to learn more
Clariant AG
Clariant AG is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include refining catalysts and pigments. Founded in 1995, the company is currently headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more
Dic Corporation
Dic Corporation is a public company operating globally in the manufacturing sector. The company's offerings include pigments. Founded in 1908, the company is currently headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with an estimated employee count of over 10,000. Subscribe to learn more
Ferro Corporation
Ferro Corporation is a specialty materials producer for appliances, automotive, building and renovation, consumer products, electronics, industrial products, packaging, and sanitary markets. Its products include frits, porcelain and other glass enamels, glazes, stains, decorating colors, pigments, inks, polishing... Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Pigments Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Average Order Value and Defect Density. Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Quality and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Order Value |
|
Total revenue Number of orders |
The average order value represents the revenue generated from the average order. Average order value can be used to determine whether a vendor can provide large volumes of pigments for large or medium-sized buyers. |
| Defect Density |
|
Number of units Number of defective units |
The defect density represents the share of defective products a company produces. Pigments that fail to physically bond to surfaces can create large downstream costs, especially if surfaces are transported elsewhere after manufacturing or are difficult to reach, as is often the case with metal structures. Failed pigments often require additional applications or remediation to correct. |
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Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Features
What pigment compositions does your company offer?
To what extent are your pigments resistant to heat and chemicals?
Specifications
Do your pigments have a high degree of insolubility?
How does insolubility differ among your pigment offerings?
Supplier Size
How many different product lines do you produce?
Do you produce products related to pigments, such as binders and dispersing agents?
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Pigments RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should provide a description of their operations, including how they intend to use the pigments and locations of all facilities.
Buyers should include the names of any subsidiaries that they operate that will be using the pigment products.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should provide a list of all the types of pigments, as well as desired colors, that they require.
Buyers should describe any ancillary support they require from the supplier.
Project Budget
Buyers should clearly state whether submitted prices should be FOB destination, freight prepaid and allowed.
Buyers should inform suppliers of the contract’s maximum value, but stress that competitive prices will be prioritized.
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Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
- Market dynamics
- Recent developments
- Positive and warning trends
- Buyer power levers
- Price environment and market pricing
- Geographic wage rates
- Global market updates
- Total cost of ownership
- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
- Sourcing strategy guidance
