Difference Between Organic Pigments and Inorganic Pigments
Colors have become an essential part of our day-to-day lives. Colors serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, from the clothing we wear to the cosmetics we use to the food we eat and how we communicate as a part of our daily lives. This blog will help you understand the key differences between organic and inorganic pigments, including their uses, benefits, and characteristics.
The production of colors is an important part of the industry, but what are the processes behind it? The use of pigments is widespread in the production of colorants for pharmaceuticals, food & beverages cosmetics, and textiles. Pigments are solid materials that can not dissolve in water and are used to provide colors and appearance.
Since they are water-insoluble, fine powders are ground up, mixed into the solution, and added to the medium. Pigments absorb certain wavelengths of light and alter how light is transmitted or reflected off a surface. Organic and inorganic are the two main types of pigments used today.
Both organic and inorganic pigments are used to provide certain colors to products, but there are many considerable differences you should know about them.
Understanding the Pigments?
Pigments are nothing more than organic or inorganic coloring materials that are insoluble in water and provide various colors and appearances to desired products. Dispersions are the most common form of pigment application since they remain unchanged by the surface or media they are applied to or dispersed into.
Pigments have different roles to play in various industrial areas and applications. Giving a surface or an item’s color is undoubtedly one of the most important things for them. Moreover, the pigment has a variety of functions, including:
- Improves durability and weathering properties
- Provides excellent resistance against corrosion
- Ability to absorb the wavelength
- Enhance surface strength
- Modify flow properties
Organic Vs Inorganic Pigments: Market Share
There are many considerable differences between organic and inorganic pigments, but both show excellent market growth. Based on projected growth rates between 2018 and 2024, the organic pigment market is expected to grow to $4.89 billion by 2024 at a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%.
Meanwhile, global inorganic pigment sales are forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.7% by 2026. Furthermore, Inorganic pigments are more valuable for the paint and cosmetics industries because of their particle dispersion and stability.
However, some environmental concerns regarding the metallic byproducts of the pigment production process have caused a temporary slowdown in the inorganic pigments industry, but it has only given rise to a minor setback.
Organic pigments
Carbon chains and rings are the building blocks of organic pigments. The primary factor that distinguishes organic pigments from inorganic pigments is their inorganic content as a stabilizer, and they are found to be highly stable due to these strong carbon chains. While the pigments based on carbon are derived from vegetables, animals, or synthetic organic chemistry.
On the other hand, traditional pigments are typically used to produce through flora and fauna. Nowadays, almost all modern pigments are being produced using synthetic organic chemistry. Synthetic organic pigments are widely manufactured from aromatic hydrocarbons such as coal tars and other petrochemicals.
Hridhan Chem is one of the biggest producers of dyes and pigments in India, manufacturing a comprehensive range of synthetic dyes and pigments following the FDA regulations to meet international standards and ensure necessary safety concerns, serving customers worldwide.
Qualities of Organic Pigments
The following qualities are the key characteristics of organic pigments:
1. Varying lightfastness
Some organic pigments perform well when exposed to light or heat, but most of them fade over time. Organic pigments come in different varieties but most struggle when exposed to light.
2. Color quality
The tonality of organic pigments is unparalleled even though most are considered transparent. The tint strength of these coatings is often more strong despite their transparency.
3. High prices
The production of organic pigments, especially synthetic organic pigments, is generally more expensive. Chemical processing increases the cost of synthetic pigments, thus increasing their price per pound.
Paints for artists tend to use organic pigments more often than inorganic pigments, but most industries use inorganic pigments. Therefore, the use of organic pigments is less prevalent in comparison with inorganic pigments due to their ability to improve product color quality and stability.
Inorganic Pigments
Inorganic pigments refer to those pigments that are not based on carbon chains and rings. The use of minerals, usually metal salts and metals, is more common. Pigments derived from organic sources are usually more transparent and less soluble than pigments derived from inorganic sources.
Most industry pigments are based on inorganic materials due to their low cost and lightfastness. In the world of industry, inorganic pigments have numerous advantages, but they also have some disadvantages.
Properties of Inorganic Pigments
Inorganic pigments have a variety of positive and negative properties, including:
1. Excellent fade resistance
Organic pigments have excellent light resistance, making them ideal for use in solar panels. Moreover, when exposed to direct sunlight or heat, they tend not to fade as quickly.
2. Poor Tonality
Color retention is generally good with inorganic pigments, but the color they produce is usually dull when they are used on their own. A mix of inorganic pigments and organic pigments can usually improve the tonality and brightness of a painting.
3. Lower Cost
A large amount of inorganic pigment is usually cheaper to produce than an equivalent amount of organic pigment, especially in industrial applications. Pigments made from inorganic materials are relatively simple to create due to chemical reactions.
Organic or Inorganic Pigments: Which One To Choose
It is necessary to take this decision with several factors in mind, so it would be wise to consider the differences before coming to a conclusion. For example, inorganic pigments can be used if the product to be colored needs to remain outside for a long period during sunlight. On the other hand, you can go for organic pigments when you want to achieve more bright and vibrant colors.
Moreover, the cost of the pigment is another yet most important factor you should consider when choosing between organic or inorganic pigments. Therefore, you should consider several factors, including cost, opaqueness, and durability in the outside weather before making the final decision.
Conclusion
In the bottom line, it can be concluded that both organic and inorganic pigments have different strengths, sources, and chemical properties. Are you looking for high-quality pigments and are not sure how to choose the right one, consult with renowned manufacturers and exporters of dyes and pigments in India, like Hridhan Chem can help you choose the most suitable pigments according to your unique business requirements.
We are a reputed producer of superior-quality synthetic dyes and pigments and offer top-quality colors for businesses of all sizes. For a wide range of dyes and pigments, we produce at our manufacturing facility, get in touch with us today
