Color plays an important role in our lives. Organic and inorganic pigments are extremely important colorants for cosmetic manufacturers. India is a leading producer of cosmetic pigments. These colors are supplied to the domestic market by Indian pigment manufacturers and also imported to the international market.
Let’s look at the main differences between organic and inorganic pigments.
Pigment composition
Pigment colors can be applied to or mixed with product ingredients to give color to other objects. Organic and inorganic pigments are types of pigments based on their formulation methods. Organic pigments are generally derived from plants. Inorganic pigments use chemical formulations to achieve the desired product properties for a variety of applications.
Compounds obtained from inorganic metal compounds and salts such as chromates, metal oxides, sulfates, etc. are used in inorganic pigments. Organic pigments are composed of carbon rings and carbon chains. Compounds can be used to stabilize organic pigments during the color production process. Inorganic compounds are primarily used to create colors using compounds based on specific chemical components.
Based on performance, organic pigments and inorganic pigments have the following characteristics:
particle size
Organic pigments have smaller particle sizes compared to inorganic pigments.
brightness
Organic pigments are brighter than inorganic pigments. But for long-lasting products, inorganic pigments are preferred because fading and exposure to sunlight or chemicals can lose the bright colors of organic pigments.
color
Inorganic pigments are available in a wider variety of colors than organic pigments. Titanium dioxide; iron oxide, etc. are examples of inorganic pigments. Lake colors are examples of organic pigments.
The colors of inorganic pigments include ultramarine blue, iron oxide yellow, chromium oxide green, manganese violet, titanium dioxide, etc. India also exports mixed inorganic colorants such as iron oxide burgundy, iron oxide ocher, iron oxide amber, etc. Inorganic pigments are also available in low-micron iron oxide variants such as red, yellow and black.
Organic pigment colors include lakes, such as Allure Red Lake, Patented Lake, Indigo Carmine Lake, etc. Since organic pigments are extracted from minerals, colors can also be classified based on mineral lakes such as aluminum (Al) lake, calcium (Ca) lake, barium (Ba) lake, etc.
cost
Inorganic pigment colors are more economical and cost-effective than organic colorants.
dispersion
Inorganic pigments are easier to disperse than organic pigments and therefore can be used in a variety of applications. The compounds used to make pigments vary in particle size and surface chemistry. Particle stabilization poses a challenge to the pigment dispersion process. Incorrect processes can lead to inappropriate dispersion.
The dispersion process affects the economics and quality of the finished pigment color. Therefore, pigments requiring minimal dispersion are often selected to increase the throughput of the manufacturing unit.
According to a recent market research report by Technavio, the inorganic pigments industry will grow at a CAGR of 4% through 2021. The high color stability and high particle dispersion of inorganic pigments make them a popular choice for the manufacturing of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Industry researchers believe that the dispersion advantages of inorganic pigments will drive industry growth and development in the global inorganic pigments market in the coming years.