Clariant expands pigments laboratory for the African market
Clariant Pigments has welcomed the new year with the expansion of its new pigments’ laboratory in Krugersdorp near Johannesburg. According to Clariant, this is planned to be an African showcase for sustainable colour technology.
To be officially opened and inaugurated in early 2021, the new facility is supposed to service the emerging Middle East and Africa paints and coatings market, forecasted a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of more than 3% (2020-2025).
In a significant commitment to its business in South Africa, Clariant’s investment in the laboratory, which has taken more than 12-months to complete, is about to increase local value-added color support services to the coatings industry across Africa, Turkey and the Middle East. The new facility also offers increased local employment opportunities and in-house skills development training in colour technologies.
“Unlimited number of shades”
“Previously, we were only able to supply pigments as raw materials, but we are proud to now be offering a full spectrum of value-added services including customised colour solutions, colour matching services or the development of own colour recipes to create an unlimited number of shades, for example tinting systems. To complete our services we also offer technical marketing and after sales support,” said Rossitza Dimitrova, Clariant Business Unit Pigments Head of Technical Marketing, Middle East and Africa.
According to Clariant, all product offerings, for both decorative and industrial markets, as well as solutions for wood coatings, will include pigments and pigment preparations that are lead free, contain low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) and are free of APEO (Alkylphenol ethoxylates).
