Paper Pigments Market Report 2026

The paper pigments market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $18.21 billion in 2025 to $19.36 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of printing and writing paper demand, expansion of packaging paper production, rising use of mineral fillers in papermaking, availability of calcium carbonate pigments, improvements in paper coating technologies.

The paper pigments market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $24.18 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials, rising focus on recyclable and biodegradable paper products, expansion of high-quality packaging applications, growing adoption of advanced coating formulations, increasing investments in specialty paper manufacturing. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of high-opacity and brightness enhancing pigments, rising adoption of coated paper grades, growing demand for sustainable and bio-based pigments, expansion of specialty pigments for print quality improvement, enhanced focus on paper surface smoothness.

Rising e-commerce is expected to propel the growth of the paper pigments market going forward. E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. Online retail relies on packaging materials, such as paper pigments, for the production of corrugated boxes, cartons, and other packaging applications. For instance, in August 2023, according to the United States Census Bureau, compared to the second quarter of 2022, e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 7.5% (or 1.4%), while overall retail sales rose by 0.6% (or 0.4%). Online sales accounted for 15.4% of total retail sales in the same quarter. Therefore, the rising growth of e-commerce is driving demand for paper pigments.

Major companies operating in the paper pigments market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as high-performance, sustainable pigment inks, to meet the rising demand for improved color stability, durability, and process efficiency in printing and coating applications. These advanced pigments outperform traditional formulations by providing better dispersion, consistent performance, and enhanced sustainability. For instance, in March 2024, Sun Chemical, a U.S.-based leader in pigments and inks, launched Xennia Jade, a pigment ink specifically tailored for the Direct-to-Film (DTF) market. Xennia Jade offers high-quality color performance and stability designed for continuous production environments, ensuring reliable results for industrial printing applications. The ink’s innovative formulation enhances pigment stabilization while supporting sustainability goals. Sun Chemical showcased Xennia Jade at the FESPA event in Amsterdam, allowing professionals to experience its performance features firsthand and explore its suitability for evolving DTF industry requirements.

In March 2025, Sudarshan Chemical Industries Limited (SCIL), an India-based pigment manufacturer, acquired Heubach Group for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, SCIL aimed to expand its global footprint, broaden its pigment portfolio, and integrate Heubach’s advanced pigment manufacturing capabilities and 19-site international infrastructure to strengthen supply, particularly in paper pigments and specialty applications. Heubach Group is a Germany-based producer of organic, inorganic, and specialty pigment powders, dispersions, and dyes, supplying the paper, coatings, plastics, inks, and printing sectors.

Major companies operating in the paper pigments market are IMERYS S.A., Omya AG, Minerals Technologies Inc., JM Huber Corporation, Thiele Kaolin Company, KaMin LLC, Ashapura Minechem Ltd., Kemira Oyj, Tronox Limited, KRONOS Worldwide Inc., The Chemours Company, Hansol Chemicals, Cabot Corporation, GAB Neumann GmbH, BASF SE, Clariant International AG, Lanxess AG, Merck KGaA, Altana AG, Sudarshan Chemical Industries Ltd., DIC Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the paper pigments market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the paper 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 paper pigments market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The paper pigments market consists of sales of inorganic pigments and organic pigments. 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.

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