Discontinued Operations
Status of transition
Clariant is currently in the process of divesting the Business Unit PigmentsPigmentsPigments are substances used for coloring; they are used in a technical manner, for example in the manufacture of dyes, varnishes, and plastics. In 2020, Clariant launched the divestment process of its Pigments business, which was completed on 3 January 2022. as a part of its portfolio optimization. It signed definitive divestment agreements with a consortium comprising Heubach Group and SK Capital Partners in June 2021, and closing was completed on 3 January 2022.
General information
The Business Unit PigmentsPigmentsPigments are substances used for coloring; they are used in a technical manner, for example in the manufacture of dyes, varnishes, and plastics. In 2020, Clariant launched the divestment process of its Pigments business, which was completed on 3 January 2022. offers a wide range of superior-quality organic pigments, pigment preparations, and dyes to provide color in a wide variety of product applications. They are used in automotive and plastic applications; in industrial and architectural coatings; in home, traditional, and digital inks; and in many other applications, such as fabric and personal care products. Sustainability is one of the strategic business unit targets. The business unit is supporting initiatives for the circular economy through enhanced recyclability so that customers can differentiate themselves with market-leading and innovative offerings.
DiSCONTINUED OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
The discontinued Business Unit PigmentsPigmentsPigments are substances used for coloring; they are used in a technical manner, for example in the manufacture of dyes, varnishes, and plastics. In 2020, Clariant launched the divestment process of its Pigments business, which was completed on 3 January 2022. serves the packaging, electrical and electronics, consumer goods, textile, transportation, building and construction, and agriculture markets, among others. It delivers to local and regional customers as well as multinationals.
APPLICATIONS
Business Unit PigmentsPigmentsPigments are substances used for coloring; they are used in a technical manner, for example in the manufacture of dyes, varnishes, and plastics. In 2020, Clariant launched the divestment process of its Pigments business, which was completed on 3 January 2022.
- Applications for conventional printing, inks, inkjet inks, and electrophotographic toners
- Coloration of plastic applications
- Decorative, industrial, and automotive coatings
- Special applications for home and personal care, aluminium, seed coatings, stationery, viscose, latex, and leather, among others
Customer industries include packaging, electrical and electronics, consumer goods, textile, transportation, building and construction and agriculture. The business unit is comprised of 13 production sites and nine Technical Application Centers all over the world. It supplies more than 2 000 products to over 3 800 customers in more than 100 countries.
Business Unit PigmentsPigmentsPigments are substances used for coloring; they are used in a technical manner, for example in the manufacture of dyes, varnishes, and plastics. In 2020, Clariant launched the divestment process of its Pigments business, which was completed on 3 January 2022. helps customers to make their products more sustainable. For example, the plastics industry profits from the black colorants Solvaperm® Black PCR and Graphtol™ Black CLN. They are free from carbon black, a substance that prevents plastic-sorting scanners from identifying individual plastic types. With Solvaperm® Black PCR and Graphtol™ Black CLN, common packaging plastics are reliably identifiable. These products thus improve the recyclability of plastic products, thereby contributing to a circular economy.
Market dynamics in 2021
Sustainability is one of the future global economic drivers. 2021 saw a marked increase in the demand for sustainable and recyclable products. Also, there was heightened awareness of the global microplastics issue.
The pigments industry was also influenced by price inflation for pivotal raw materials, energy, and transportation as well as a shortage in the supply chain. In particular, energy quotas in China led to an unprecedented price surge of yellow phosphorus, which is an important raw material for pigment production. In light of these developments, the business unit was forced to increase prices in 2021.
How Business Unit Pigments created value in 2021
Fostering innovation and sustainability is one important objective for the business unit. Besides that, the business unit has defined environmental key performance indicators (KPIs) to optimize processes, and is committed to
- reducing the specific energy consumption for production;
- minimizing the consumption and discharge of water;
- generating less hazardous waste and CO2;
- reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In 2021, all KPIs were at their target level. Also, several innovations were proof of the business unit’s commitment to sustainability.
New services
The »Automotive Styling Shades Trendbook« is an important guide for the automotive industry to optimize its product designs. The 2025 edition of this trendbook was published in a new digital format: It now features an online and interactive configurator tool with a collection of 28 new shade trends. This virtual showroom presents shades directly on virtual vehicles and provides highly accurate digitalization of the total appearance, even of metallic effect shades. Supported by webinars and data formats that are compatible with common rendering software, the trendbook enables seamless cooperation even without physical meetings.
New products
The new product line Licosperse™ consists of nontoxic and nonflammable pigment preparations that are free from heavy metals and resin. They can be used for shoe polishes, floor polishes, fertilizers, herbicides, wood stains, varnishes, and other applications. With the Licosperse™ product range, customers can replace dyes in oil- and solvent-based applications. At the same time, these ready-to-use blends can save time and cost in the coloration process.
The new Hostatint™ AU range of aqueous pigment dispersions is a major innovation in exterior and interior architectural coatings. Hostatint™ products are low in volatile organic compounds and free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO). They are high-performance products with high opacity, durability, and fade resistance, offering the most expansive color palette possible. Paint and coating manufacturers of all sizes can broaden their color space in an economical way, as the pigment dispersions can be easily calibrated to any tint base or color portfolio.
New locations
In February, the business unit expanded its state-of-the-art pigments laboratory in Krugersdorp, South Africa. This significant investment supports the growing regional demand for locally produced, sustainable colorants. The laboratory provides color support services to the emerging coatings industry across Africa, Turkey, and the Middle East.
Certifications and awards
A new certification helps producers of plastic articles to colorize biodegradable polymers: In July 2021, TÜV Austria certified nine organic colorants from the PV Fast™ and Graphtol™ ranges with the label »OK compost INDUSTRIAL.« This label proves suitability for industrial composting and enables customers to use bright colors in their biodegradable products.