Top 10 Companies in the Color-Shifting Materials Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Dynamic Design

In Business Insights
December 08, 2025


The Global Color-Shifting Materials Market was valued at USD 1.52 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.31 Billion by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the forecast period (2023–2028). This growth is being driven by increasing demand for advanced aesthetics in consumer electronics and automotive sectors, rising adoption for brand protection and anti-counterfeiting measures, and the accelerating integration of smart materials into construction and wearable technology.

As industries worldwide seek to enhance user interaction and product security, the spotlight is on the key material suppliers who are pioneering photochromic, thermochromic, and electrochromic technologies. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Color-Shifting Materials Industry—a mix of chemical giants, specialty manufacturers, and technology innovators shaping the future of dynamic surfaces and smart coatings.

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2023-2028 Global and Regional Color-Shifting Materials Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. Merck KGaA

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Liquid Crystal-based Color-Shifting Pigments, Photochromic Dyes

Merck is a global leader in high-performance pigments, particularly renowned for its liquid crystal polymer technologies that create iridescent, color-shifting effects. Their offerings are critical for automotive paints, premium packaging, and anti-counterfeiting applications, providing dynamic color changes based on viewing angle.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering multi-color shift pigments for automotive OEM coatings

  • Development of sustainable pigment production processes

  • Strategic partnerships with global security printing organizations


9️⃣ 2. 3M Company

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Scotchcal™ Electrochromic Films, Light Control Films

3M’s expertise in film technologies positions it as a key player in the electrochromic segment. Their products are used in smart windows, architectural glass, and display technologies, enabling precise control over light transmission and color appearance through electrical stimulation.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expanding electrochromic film applications in smart building infrastructure

  • R&D into energy-saving dynamic glass solutions


8️⃣ 3. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Thermochromic Pigments, Photochromic Masterbatches

BASF provides a comprehensive portfolio of color-shifting additives, including thermochromic systems that change color with temperature variations. Their materials are widely used in plastic products, textiles, and temperature-sensitive indicators across various industries.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of narrow-temperature-range thermochromic pigments

  • Integration of color-shifting properties into sustainable material solutions

Download FREE Sample Report:
2023-2028 Global and Regional Color-Shifting Materials Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. PPG Industries, Inc.

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Color-Changing Automotive Coatings, Solar Reflective Coatings

PPG is a dominant force in coatings that incorporate color-shifting effects, particularly in the automotive sector. Their custom effect pigments create dynamic visual experiences that change with lighting conditions and viewing angles, enhancing brand distinctiveness.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Advanced color-shifting technologies for electric vehicle platforms

  • Development of eco-friendly waterborne color-shifting coatings


6️⃣ 5. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: ChromaFlair® Pigments, Electrochromic Polymers

DuPont’s ChromaFlair® pigments are industry-standard color-shifting materials used in coatings, plastics, and printing inks. These sophisticated pigments produce a striking color travel effect, making them valuable for both decorative and security applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expansion of pigment offerings for digital printing applications

  • Research into next-generation electrochromic display materials


5️⃣ 6. E Ink Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Hsinchu, Taiwan
Key Offering: Electrochromic Display Modules, Advanced Color ePaper

E Ink is the global leader in electrophoretic display technology, which represents a significant segment of the electrochromic materials market. Their low-power, reflective displays are revolutionizing retail signage, e-readers, and wearable technology with dynamic color capabilities.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of full-color advanced color ePaper technology

  • Expansion into architectural and automotive display applications


4️⃣ 7. SICPA Holding SA

Headquarters: Prilly, Switzerland
Key Offering: Security Inks with Color-Shifting Properties

SICPA specializes in security solutions, with color-shifting inks being a cornerstone of their anti-counterfeiting technology. Their materials are used on banknotes, official documents, and high-value products worldwide, providing immediate visual authentication.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Proprietary color-shifting ink formulations for currency protection

  • Integration of digital verification with physical color-shifting features


3️⃣ 8. Chromatic Technologies, Inc. (CTI)

Headquarters: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Key Offering: Thermochromic Inks, Photochromic Inks

CTI is a specialized manufacturer focusing exclusively on color-change technologies. Their thermochromatic inks, which respond to temperature changes, are widely used in packaging, promotional products, and safety indicators, offering interactive user experiences.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Custom thermochromic solutions for brand activation campaigns

  • Development of temperature-sensitive safety indicators for food and pharmaceuticals

Download FREE Sample Report:
2023-2028 Global and Regional Color-Shifting Materials Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 9. Olikrom

Headquarters: Pessac, France
Key Offering: Smart Photochromic and Thermochromic Pigments

Olikrom is a French innovator specializing in intelligent pigments that change color in response to various stimuli including light, temperature, and mechanical stress. Their technologies are applied in smart coatings, plastics, and textiles for industrial and consumer markets.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Pioneering photochromic materials for outdoor applications

  • Development of multi-stimuli responsive color-changing systems


1️⃣ 10. Gentex Corporation

Headquarters: Zeeland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Electrochromic Auto-Dimming Mirrors, Smart Glass

While primarily known for automotive mirrors, Gentex is a significant player in electrochromic technology. Their proprietary materials enable automatic dimming in response to light levels, enhancing safety and comfort in automotive and aerospace applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Expansion of electrochromic technology into architectural smart glass

  • Integration of electronic displays with electrochromic dimming functions

Read Full Report:
2023-2028 Global and Regional Color-Shifting Materials Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Color-Shifting Materials Is Intelligent and Interactive

The color-shifting materials market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional pigments still dominate decorative applications, the industry is increasingly focused on multi-functional smart materials that respond intelligently to environmental changes.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • R&D into multi-stimuli responsive materials combining thermochromic and photochromic properties

  • Growing integration with IoT devices for smart home and automotive applications

  • Increasing demand for sustainable and non-toxic color-shifting formulations

  • Expansion into healthcare applications for diagnostic tools and medical devices

Read Full Report:
2023-2028 Global and Regional Color-Shifting Materials Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying innovative materials—they’re enabling the interactive future of product design and functionality across multiple industries.