Top 10 Companies in the Industrial Grade Pearlescent Material Industry (2025): Market Leaders Creating High-Gloss Effects

In Business Insights
December 04, 2025


The Global Industrial Grade Pearlescent Material Market was valued at USD 281.5 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 392.8 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This growth is driven by rising demand for premium aesthetic finishes across multiple industries, including automotive coatings, plastics, printing inks, and cosmetics. The push for sustainable and non-toxic alternatives to traditional pigments is further accelerating the adoption of pearlescent materials globally.

As industries increasingly prioritize visual appeal and environmental responsibility, pearlescent materials are becoming a critical component in product differentiation. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Industrial Grade Pearlescent Material Industry—a mix of global chemical giants and specialized pigment innovators who are defining the future of high-gloss effects.


🔟 1. Merck Group

Headquarters: Darmstadt, Germany
Key Offering: Iriodin®, Colorstream®, Xirallic®

Merck KGaA is a global science and technology leader and a pioneer in effect pigments. Its portfolio includes some of the most recognized pearlescent and interference pigment brands in the world, serving industries from automotive paints to packaging and consumer goods. Their products are known for exceptional color travel and high weatherfastness.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of bio-based and recyclable pigment solutions

  • Investment in digital color matching and application technologies

  • Commitment to carbon-neutral production processes by 2040

Download FREE Sample Report: Industrial Grade Pearlescent Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Paliocrom®, Sicopal®, Lumina® Royal

BASF is one of the world’s largest chemical producers, with a comprehensive portfolio of effect pigments under its Performance Chemicals division. Their pearlescent materials are engineered for durability and brilliance, making them ideal for demanding applications in automotive OEM coatings and industrial plastics.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of sustainable pigment production capacities in Asia and Europe

  • R&D focus on pigments with reduced environmental footprint


8️⃣ 3. DIC Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Benda-Lutz® Pearlescent Pigments

DIC Corporation, through its subsidiary Sun Chemical, is a leading global supplier of pigments and inks. Their Benda-Lutz pearlescent pigments are renowned for their quality and consistency, serving a broad spectrum of applications from printing inks to plastic masterbatches and coatings.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of heavy-metal-free and compliant pigment formulations

  • Strategic acquisitions to enhance global pigment technology and reach


7️⃣ 4. Altana AG (ECKART)

Headquarters: Wesel, Germany
Key Offering: STAPA®, POTTERS®, AQUAMET®

ECKART, a division of the ALTANA Group, is a world leader in metallic effect pigments and pearlescent materials. Their products are formulated for superior performance in liquid coatings, powder coatings, and plastic applications, with a strong focus on automotive and industrial finishes.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering water-based pearl pigment dispersions (AQUAMET®)

  • Commitment to sustainable production and product stewardship programs

Download FREE Sample Report: Industrial Grade Pearlescent Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. CQV Co. Ltd.

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: Synthetic Mica-based Pearlescent Pigments

CQV is a leading Korean manufacturer specializing in high-performance pearl pigments based on synthetic mica. The company has carved a significant niche by offering alternatives to natural mica-based products, providing consistent quality and tailored solutions for cosmetics and industrial applications.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expertise in synthetic mica production, ensuring supply chain stability

  • Focus on expanding global market presence, particularly in North America and Europe


5️⃣ 6. Fujian Kuncai Material Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Fujian, China
Key Offering: Pearl Luster Pigments, Titanium Dioxide Coated Mica

Fujian Kuncai is one of China’s largest and most technologically advanced manufacturers of pearlescent pigments. The company has a vast product portfolio and is a key supplier to both domestic and international markets, competing on quality and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Significant investment in R&D for new effect pigment varieties

  • Vertical integration in raw material processing to ensure quality control


4️⃣ 7. Nihon Koken Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Mearlin®, Mearlite® Pearlescent Pigments

Nihon Koken Kogyo, operating globally under the Mearlin brand, is a respected specialist in pearlescent pigments. With a history of innovation, the company offers a wide array of effects for coatings, plastics, printing inks, and personal care products, known for their high purity and performance.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Long-standing reputation for technical expertise and customer collaboration

  • Development of specialty pigments for niche, high-value applications


3️⃣ 8. Zhejiang Ruicheng Pearlescent Pigment Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Natural and Synthetic Mica-based Pearlescent Pigments

Zhejiang Ruicheng is a major Chinese producer with a strong export orientation. The company manufactures a comprehensive range of pearlescent pigments and is recognized for its ability to produce large volumes consistently, catering to the growing demand from the plastics and coatings industries.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on cost-competitive manufacturing while maintaining quality standards

  • Expansion of production capabilities to meet global demand


2️⃣ 9. Kolortek Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Colorful Pearlescent Pigments, Metal Effect Pigments

Kolortek is an innovative Chinese company that has rapidly grown its market share by offering a diverse product line of effect pigments. They serve various industries, including automotive, cosmetics, and plastics, with a focus on vibrant colors and special effects.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Active in developing new pigment technologies for advanced applications

  • Growing international sales network enhancing global accessibility


1️⃣ 10. OXEN New Materials Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shenzhen, China
Key Offering: ECO-friendly Pearlescent Pigments, Functional Pigments

OXEN New Materials is specialized in the research and production of environmentally friendly effect pigments. The company emphasizes developing products that meet stringent international environmental and safety standards, positioning itself as a supplier for sustainable and high-performance applications.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strong focus on R&D for green chemistry-based pigment solutions

  • Commitment to producing pigments free from heavy metals and other regulated substances

Get Full Report Here: Industrial Grade Pearlescent Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Pearlescent Materials is Vibrant and Sustainable

The industrial pearlescent material market is experiencing a significant evolution. While traditional metallic and pearl white pigments continue to dominate volume, the industry is rapidly innovating with sustainable alternatives, advanced synthetic substrates, and multi-dimensional visual effects to meet changing consumer and regulatory demands.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising demand for bio-based and synthetic mica as an ethical alternative to natural mica

  • Increasing application in automotive interiors and exteriors for premium aesthetic appeal

  • Growth in digital printing and packaging driving demand for high-quality effect inks

  • Stricter global regulations pushing innovation in non-toxic, heavy-metal-free formulations

Get Full Report Here: Industrial Grade Pearlescent Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying vibrant colors—they’re pioneering the sustainable aesthetic transformation of countless industrial and consumer products.