Top 10 Companies in the Ceramic Colors Industry (2026): Market Leaders Coloring Global Manufacturing

In Business Insights
January 29, 2026


The Global Ceramic Colors Market was valued at USD 2.08 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.77 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period. This sustained growth is fueled by rising demand from the global construction industry, advancements in digital inkjet printing technology for ceramics, and the expanding market for high-quality, durable decorative products.

As the ceramics industry evolves with a focus on sustainability, digitalization, and aesthetic innovation, the role of specialized colorant suppliers becomes increasingly critical. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Ceramic Colors Industry—pioneers in pigment chemistry, formulation technology, and application expertise that are defining the future of colored surfaces worldwide.


🔟 1. Ferro Corporation (Now part of Vibrantz Technologies)

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: In-glaze colors, overglaze colors, body stains, and digital inks

Following its acquisition by Vibrantz Technologies, the former Ferro business remains a global powerhouse in performance materials, including a comprehensive portfolio of ceramic colors. The company serves tile manufacturers, sanitaryware producers, and tableware companies with high-performance pigments known for their color consistency and thermal stability.

Innovation Focus:

  • Leading R&D in nano-pigments for digital printing

  • Development of heavy metal-free and environmentally compliant colorants

  • Global production and technical service network supporting major ceramic hubs

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Ceramic Colors Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Torrecid Group

Headquarters: Castellón, Spain
Key Offering: Frits, glazes, ceramic colors, and digital inks

Torrecid is a Spanish multinational and a world leader in the supply of products and technologies for the ceramic tile and sanitaryware industries. With a strong presence in over 130 countries, the company is renowned for its extensive color palette and innovative digital printing solutions that enable intricate designs and high-definition finishes.

Innovation Focus:

  • Pioneer in digital ceramic ink development and application technology

  • Strong commitment to R&D with over 7% of turnover reinvested annually

  • Comprehensive solutions from raw materials to finished product design


8️⃣ 3. Colorobbia Group

Headquarters: Sovigliana, Vinci, Italy
Key Offering: Ceramic frits, glazes, colors, and raw materials

Colorobbia is an Italian family-owned group with nearly a century of experience in the chemicals and materials sector. Its ceramic division is a key supplier to the global tile, tableware, and sanitaryware industries, offering a wide range of color solutions backed by deep technical expertise and a customer-centric approach.

Innovation Focus:

  • Investment in sustainable product lines and production processes

  • Development of special effects and premium aesthetic finishes

  • Global manufacturing footprint with local technical support centers


7️⃣ 4. The Shepherd Color Company

Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Complex Inorganic Color Pigments (CICPs)

The Shepherd Color Company is a globally recognized manufacturer of high-performance Complex Inorganic Color Pigments, which are prized for their exceptional durability, heat stability, and weather resistance. These pigments are essential for ceramics that must withstand harsh conditions, including architectural panels and industrial components.

Innovation Focus:

  • Expertise in producing ultra-stable pigments for extreme environments

  • Focus on non-toxic, environmentally friendly pigment chemistry

  • Specialization in custom color matching for demanding applications

Download FREE Sample Report:
Ceramic Colors Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Esmalglass-Itaca Group (part of Ferro/Vibrantz)

Headquarters: Castellón, Spain
Key Offering: Frits, glazes, ceramic colors, and digital preparations

As a key part of the Vibrantz Technologies portfolio following the integration with Ferro, the Esmalglass-Itaca Group brings a formidable legacy in ceramic frits and glazes. The company is a technological leader, particularly in the development of products for digital decoration, serving the global tile industry’s most innovative manufacturers.

Innovation Focus:

  • Extensive range of products tailored for digital inkjet printing

  • Leadership in glossy, matte, and special effect finishes

  • Strong patent portfolio in ceramic surface engineering


5️⃣ 6. Zhejiang Huayuan New Material Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Zirconium-based pigments, ceramic stains, and praseodymium yellow

Zhejiang Huayuan New Material is one of China’s leading manufacturers of inorganic pigments, with a significant focus on zirconium-based colors like vanadium zirconium blue and praseodymium yellow. The company plays a crucial role in the Asian ceramic market, supplying pigments for tiles, sanitaryware, and advanced technical ceramics.

Innovation Focus:

  • Specialization in high-purity zirconium silicate pigments

  • Continuous expansion of production capacity to meet global demand

  • Cost-competitive manufacturing for volume-driven markets


4️⃣ 7. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Inorganic pigments, including ceramic-grade iron oxides and complex metal oxides

BASF, a global chemical giant, supplies high-quality inorganic pigments to the ceramics industry. Its products are valued for their color consistency, chemical stability, and compliance with international safety standards. BASF’s pigment portfolio supports a wide range of ceramic applications, from construction materials to artistic wares.

Innovation Focus:

  • Strong R&D focus on sustainable pigment production processes

  • Global supply chain reliability and quality assurance

  • Development of pigments for new ceramic substrates and firing conditions


3️⃣ 8. Fritta (Kale Group)

Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
Key Offering: Ceramic frits, glazes, body stains, and digital inks

Fritta, part of the Kale Group, is a major player in the ceramics supply chain, particularly strong in the Eurasian and Middle Eastern markets. The company leverages Turkey’s strategic position to serve both European and Asian ceramic producers with a comprehensive range of color and glaze products.

Innovation Focus:

  • Rapid adaptation to regional market trends and customer needs

  • Growing investment in digital inkjet printing technologies

  • Integrated solutions from raw materials to finished product aesthetics


2️⃣ 9. Sun Chemical (DIC Corporation)

Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA
Key Offering: Specialty pigments and performance materials for various industries

Sun Chemical, a subsidiary of DIC Corporation, is a leading producer of pigments, including those used in specialty ceramic applications. While broader in its focus, the company’s expertise in color science and pigment dispersion technology makes it a valuable supplier for high-performance ceramic color needs.

Innovation Focus:

  • Extensive pigment chemistry knowledge across multiple industries

  • Development of environmentally sustainable color solutions

  • Global technical support and color matching capabilities


1️⃣ 10. Eckart Effect Pigments (Altana AG)

Headquarters: Hartenstein, Germany
Key Offering: Metallic and pearlescent pigments for special effect surfaces

Eckart, a member of the Altana Group, is a world leader in metallic and pearlescent pigments. While its applications are diverse, its products are increasingly used in ceramic tiles and sanitaryware to create luxurious metallic finishes, sparkle effects, and unique visual textures that command premium prices.

Innovation Focus:

  • Specialization in high-temperature stable effect pigments

  • Development of pigments for unique aesthetic differentiation

  • Collaboration with ceramic manufacturers on new application techniques

Get Full Report Here:
Ceramic Colors Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Ceramic Colors Is Digital and Sustainable

The ceramic colors market is experiencing a profound transformation. While traditional pigment technologies remain vital, the industry is rapidly embracing digital printing, sustainable chemistry, and smart manufacturing to meet the demands of a changing world.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated adoption of digital inkjet printing (IJP) requiring specialized ceramic inks

  • Stringent environmental regulations driving demand for heavy metal-free pigments

  • Growing consumer preference for large-format tiles and customized designs

  • R&D focus on reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in pigment production

Get Full Report Here:
Ceramic Colors Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying colors—they are enabling the aesthetic and functional evolution of the global ceramics industry, from buildings and homes to the objects we use every day.