Synthetic Pigments Market Report 2026

The synthetic pigments market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $46.99 billion in 2025 to $49.98 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of paints and coatings industry, expansion of plastics manufacturing, long term use in inks, rising construction activity, industrial pigment demand.

The synthetic pigments market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $65.19 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth of automotive coatings, increasing infrastructure projects, expansion of plastic packaging, rising demand for durable pigments, innovation in specialty pigments. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for heat resistant pigments, rising use in automotive coatings, expansion of organic pigment applications, increasing adoption in printing inks, rising focus on weather resistance.

The growing automotive industry is expected to drive the expansion of the synthetic pigments market going forward. The automotive industry includes the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles, along with their components and related services. Its growth is being fueled by rising global demand for vehicles, advancements in electric and autonomous technologies, and an increasing focus on sustainable and efficient transportation solutions. Synthetic pigments are essential in the automotive sector because they deliver durable, vibrant, and customizable colors with enhanced resistance to environmental factors such as UV radiation, heat, and chemicals. For example, in January 2024, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), a Belgium-based lobbying and standards organization, reported that the EU car market grew by 13.9% in 2023, with sales reaching 867,052 units compared to the previous year, resulting in a total annual volume of 10.5 million units. Many major markets achieved double-digit growth, including Italy (+18.9%), Spain (+16.7%), and France (+16.1%), while Germany experienced more moderate growth of 7.3%. Therefore, the expansion of the automotive industry is contributing to the growth of the synthetic pigments market.

Major companies in the synthetic pigments market are developing advanced pigment technologies such as Lumina HD to strengthen their competitive position. Lumina HD pigments are high-definition effect pigments made from fine-fraction synthetic mica and are used in automotive coatings as well as applications in aerospace, general industrial coatings, and powder coatings. For example, in May 2023, Sun Chemical, a U.S.-based chemical company, introduced Lumina HD, a new series of high-definition effect pigments based on fine synthetic mica. These pigments offer superior performance characteristics including exceptional chroma, improved distinctness of image, and subtle sparkle, providing designers with new creative possibilities for developing unique shades in the red, maroon, and blue color ranges.

In April 2023, Cathay Industries, a U.S.-based manufacturer and supplier of iron oxide pigments, acquired the iron oxide business of Venator Materials PLC for $140 million. Through this acquisition, Cathay gained eight manufacturing sites and one administrative site across six countries and four continents. This major investment underscores Cathay’s commitment to expanding its global presence and improving customization capabilities to better support its customers and partners. Venator Materials PLC is a UK-based producer of synthetic pigments.

Major companies operating in the synthetic pigments market are The Chemours Company, Tronox Holdings plc, BASF SE, Kronos Worldwide Inc., Venator Materials PLC, Lanxess AG, Clariant, Merck Group, Altana AG, DIC Corporation, Hangzhou Tiankun Chem Co. Ltd, Qingdao Haiwan Specialty Chemicals Co. Ltd, Hangzhou Chungyo Chemicals, Hangzhou Han-color Chemical Co. Ltd., Kiri Industries Ltd., Heubach India, Atul Ltd., Clariant Chemicals (India) Ltd., K. Sakai & Co. Ltd., Asahi Songwon Colors Ltd., Sudarshan Chemical Industries Ltd., Taoka Chemical Co. Ltd., Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co. Ltd., Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the synthetic pigments market in 2025. Western Europe was the second-largest region in the synthetic pigments market report. The regions covered in the synthetic 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 synthetic pigments market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The synthetic pigments market consists of the sales of alizarin, azo-pigments, phthalocyanine, quinacridone, and metal compounds. 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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