Pigments are the colouring elements present in the paints. They have a very special place in the paints industry. The paints industry uses from a broad array some of which includes speciality pigments to manufacture paints for a variety of applications. Ranging from automobiles to buildings, hardware the list is virtually endless.

The paints that employs the wide variety of pigments can be broadly classified according to application into two types. They are colorants for the industrial applications and architectural/decorative applications respectively. Let's see through the diagram the process of use of Pigments in manufacture of Powder Coatings.

Earth colour Pigment- Earth colours are derived from the natural sources and are inorganic in nature (i.e. metal oxides). Examples that can be given of earth colors are: ocher, umber, terra di siena, bolus, swedish red etc. Earth pigments are:-

• Lightfast
• Chemical
• Fastweather Resistant

Mineral Pigments- Mineral pigments comprises synthetic inorganic pigments. They include among others chrome oxide green, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow, red, brown and black, ultramarine blue, nickel-titanium yellow etc. One of the disadvantages of mineral pigments is the toxicity and ecological imbalance.

Plant Color Pigments- Plant colors are sourced from natural organic pigment found in plants. Examples of plant colors can be given of indigo, alizarin red, woad, reseda, alkanna violet and saffron.

Synthetic Pigments- Synthetic Pigments are the most widely used but artificial organic pigments and dyes. They give the advantage of synthesization in almost any shade, especially in pure color tones and gives dazzling visual effects. Examples are: azo, dioxazine and phthalocyanin.