Latest articles

Paints and coatings, Plastics

Green is more than a color  

25 October 2023 4 mins

Green – a color associated with life, renewal and growth – has an intrinsic connection to the natural world that has captivated artists, designers and enthusiasts for centuries. Its most universal interpretation conjures images of nature, a vibrant symbol of the environmental movement and healthy living. To this day, strong associations with green remain rooted deep in our DNA. The word ‘green’ itself is an abbreviation for many concepts, from living a ‘green’ healthy way of life or a symbol of the ‘green’ environmental movement. This mixture of blue and yellow can be seen everywhere and in countless shades, making it the most visible hue to the human eye.

In the pigment world, chrome oxide green is one of the most stable and versatile green hues woven into countless everyday items. This inorganic pigment is characterized by its stunning, opaque and rich green color. It is a multifaceted pigment that mirrors the beauty of the natural world, while providing additional performance advantages and camouflage properties.

A durable pigment that delivers

The shift toward more sustainable automotive and industrial coatings, plastics and building materials has increased the demand for inorganic pigments that provide a greater benefit than the simple coloration of a formulation. Inorganic pigments like chrome oxide green also impact physical properties of the paint or coating during application and throughout the product lifecycle. They are more stable against harsh environmental and chemical conditions, while offering lower production costs.

  • Color stability: Chrome oxide green is celebrated for its exceptional color stability. It is highly resistant to light and temperature changes, making it an ideal choice for outdoor applications and long-lasting artistic creations.
  • Opacity: This pigment is renowned for its impressive opacity. It can easily cover underlying surfaces, making it a popular choice in the world of paint, ceramics and plastics.
  • Chemical resistance: Chrome oxide green boasts improved chemical resistance. It can withstand exposure to acids and alkalis, ensuring its longevity in various environments.
  • Durability: Due to its durability and resistance to fading, it is commonly used in applications where colorfastness is essential.

The endless versatility of chrome oxide green

Chrome oxide green, with its remarkable color stability, opacity and versatility, continues to be a favorite in various industries, including:

  • Paints and coatings: Chrome oxide green’s color stability and opacity make it ideal for artists and industrial applications alike.
  • Plastics: The plastic industry uses this pigment for coloring a range of products, from toys and household items to automotive parts.
  • Ceramics: Used to produce various shades of green in pottery and decorative items, chrome oxide green is preferred for its ability to withstand high firing temperatures.
  • Glass: Chrome oxide green is utilized in glass manufacturing to produce distinctive green hues in glassware and stained glass.
  • Art: Many artists prefer chrome oxide green for its vivid, long-lasting color in oil and watercolor paints and is often used for landscapes, foliage and other green elements in paintings.

Your reliable pigments partner for chrome oxide green and beyond

Customers today have endless color options, and Vibrantz helps expand what’s possible with our expansive pigment portfolio. Our technical expertise, coupled with the world’s most extensive pigment offering, gives customers peace of mind and design freedom for any project. 

For more than 40 years, Vibrantz has provided various markets with a reliable suite of chrome oxide green pigments offering an olive-green shade that is opaque to visible light with high near-infrared (NIR) reflectance. Properties include ease of dispersion with excellent dimensional stability, resulting in no warping or shrinkage.

Vibrantz’s chrome oxide green (PG17) recommended pigments include:

  • Nubicrom 02 – Highly micronized/high dispersibility chrome oxide green with a yellowish shade
  • SMM Series – Micronized chrome oxide greens
  • S Series – Basic chrome oxide green for general applications

Vibrantz is the leading global supplier with the largest portfolio of inorganic pigments and a strong player in specialized organics. the largest portfolio of inorganic pigments and a strong player in specialized Organics Our high-performing inorganic color pigments are custom formulations that outperform alternative technologies in opacity, ease of dispersion, high heat fastness and chemical resistance with no bleeding or pigment migration. Their overall durability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions make our inorganic pigments ideal for any demanding application.

Electronics

The electronics market has undergone a rather extraordinary transformation in the last few decades, driven by rapid technological advancements and increasing integration of electronics into our daily routines. Our personal computers, mobile devices, smart home technologies, wearables and connected vehicles are almost necessities in our everyday lives.

Surface polishing’s critical role in electronics manufacturing

Precision is paramount in the dynamic world of electronics manufacturing. Whether it’s the intricate components of a computer chip or the cutting-edge technology in electric vehicles (EVs), achieving a flawlessly smooth surface is a crucial step. As electronics have evolved – shrinking in size while expanding in functionality – the need for precise surface polishing and chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processes have become increasingly important.

CMP, a process utilizing specialized slurries to blend mechanical abrasion with chemical reactions to make surfaces perfectly flat and uniform, plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing the seamless functionality and reliability of electronic devices.

Slurries serve a dual purpose in CMP

Slurries play a key role in creating high-quality semiconductor devices with flat and smooth surfaces, which are essential for proper device performance and reliability. They are an essential part of the CMP process providing:

  • Material removal: The abrasive particles in slurries act as a microscopic sandpaper, gently wearing down uneven or excess material from the surface of the electronic component.
  • Chemical control: The chemicals in slurries are crucial in controlling the chemical reactions that take place during CMP. These reactions help in selectively removing specific materials while preserving others. This recision is vital to the integrity of the component’s functionality.

Customized CMP solutions

At Vibrantz, we recognize there is not a one-size-fits-all solution for electronics manufacturers. Our technical team collaborates with customers to reformulate and optimize slurry solutions. Our CMP slurries enable high-yield processes for next-generation devices, offering properties like better polishing capability, low defectivity, excellent stability and extended shelf life. We also work with customers to design custom polishing products with tailored properties required for increasingly complex CMP process requirements. Our entire production process is in-house, allowing us to have full technical and quality control of our products.

With two fully staffed CMP R&D teams, Vibrantz is pushing past barriers through innovative product development in the fast-growing silicon carbide (SIC) and colloidal ceria markets. With pioneering SIC slurry products developed in facilities around the world, Vibrantz is considered an industry leader in SIC advancement. Our technologies offer optimal performance while keeping cost and product yield as a top priority. As the semiconductor industry advances and devices become more complex, the importance of CMP in achieving high-quality electronic devices continues to grow. Learn more about our innovative role in surface polishing technologies here.

Health and personal care

High-quality fillings are essential for a healthy smile. They restore teeth affected by decay or damage and help prevent future oral health issues. As the dental industry continues to prioritize patient-centered care, the use of traditional silver amalgam fillings has decreased. In its place, the adoption of more aesthetically pleasing and safer alternative materials – like specialty glass – are growing.

Fusing innovation and patient-centered care

Although amalgam was known to be effective and affordable, one of its main disadvantages – among others – was an unaesthetic dark color that made the material less popular. Silica cement did not have this dark color but disintegrated much faster. Unfilled resins that were introduced in the 1950s had a natural appearance but lacked the ability to withstand the high biting forces of molar teeth, allowing them only to be used for front teeth. Additionally, resins tended to crack easily.

The introduction of composites in the 1970s resulted in improved surface hardness, highly aesthetic appearance and good wear resistance. Over the years, composites have improved further and now:

  • Closely match the appearance of natural teeth
  • Have improved surface hardness
  • Provide good wear resistance
  • Enable better detection of fillings in X-rays

Our specialty glass materials improve oral health

For over two decades, Vibrantz has supplied fine and ultrafine inert glass powders and bioactive glass to satisfy the demanding aesthetic and performance needs of the dental industry. Our high-strength, ultrafine inert glass powders help composites last longer and are easily dispersible, improving polishing capabilities.

Alternatively, our phosphate-based bioactive glass materials are designed to interact chemically with the teeth’s surface. Bioactive glass is used in specific toothpastes to provide characteristics like remineralization, desensitization, antibacterial effects and biofilm removal.

As we continue to collaborate with customers, we can solve our customers’ toughest challenges:

  • We produce ultrapure inert glass powder at scale
  • We offer a surface treatment process that yields composite material that is stronger and shrinks less when cured
  • We supply high-purity color stains designed for use in dental ceramics
  • We are co-innovating customized glass to meet demanding specifications

Our dental solutions are driven to deliver

Learn more about our specially formulated restorative dental materials.

Corporate

We are better together

30 August 2023 3 mins

As ongoing economic uncertainty remains our reality, it’s no secret that sectors like manufacturing and chemicals – amidst a growing list of others – remain under pressure. In business environments like today, it’s important that leaders and businesses are strategic, agile enough to adapt, forward thinking and moving, and optimistic. As a former competitive athlete, I could say we must do whatever it takes to keep moving the ball downfield.   

We talk regularly as a team about the importance of controlling what we can. During a recent employee town hall, we highlighted inspiring examples of how we are keeping our six core values in focus and advancing in impactful ways related to environmental health and safety, our employees, continuous improvement, corporate social responsibility and customer excellence. Despite market challenges, we have improved our safety performance, begun implementing employee involvement committees at sites worldwide to promote our culture, forged ahead with our integration activities, finalized our near-term growth strategy, and continued investing in innovative technologies and projects.

I am often asked what I’m most excited about related to our company’s future. Without hesitation, two words come to mind; words we’ve used often since our legacy organizations became Vibrantz: Better together. As one company, Vibrantz now has core competencies in particle engineering, material science and color technology, and we’ve used our expertise platform powerfully over the last year plus to positively impact customers all over the world.  

This month, the blog features inspiring examples across our three business units of how coming together has amplified our ability to embrace our core commitment to customer excellence.

Perhaps one of the more obvious ways Vibrantz is now able to benefit customers is through our expanded advanced materials, color solutions and performance coatings offerings. Our July 2023 blog featuring Vibrantz’s play in automotive is a perfect example. Automotive equipment manufacturers who may have previously only used our automotive polishing for exteriors, now have access to our advanced technologies for batteries, our metallic and protective pigments and colorants, and more.

Being the larger company we are today and having a broader global reach doesn’t mean we’ve lost sight of what we do best, which is being uniquely positioned to help customers solve their toughest challenges. Day in and day out, I watch our talented, creative and incredibly dedicated employees partner with customers to ensure they get unique, high-performing solutions tailored to their exacting specifications. Take, for example, our custom engobes and glazes for bricks. As builders and homeowners desire an increasing variety of color and performance options in home materials, our customers must keep pace. And for the last 100 years, Vibrantz has been alongside our customers manufacturing products that improve the quality, vividness and color retention of bricks.

If you’re a customer, you likely interact with a Vibrantz team member and understand their impact on our ability to serve you. We thank you for your partnership and the continued opportunity to serve you. If you’re a Vibrantz employee, I am grateful for you. Our 5,000 colleagues around the world are why we are better for each other and customers. Your expertise, agility and optimism are the momentum helping us find certainty in today’s world. Here’s to moving the ball downfield…together.

Paints and coatings

In line with the growing trend of personalizing just about everything in life, paints and coatings consumers expect a wide range of color options. Color tinting systems have revolutionized the paints and coatings industry by providing a highly efficient and customizable approach to color formulation. Think a vast array of colors, precise color matching and consistent results. These systems enable paint retailers and manufacturers to provide on-demand color customization, empowering paint customers to achieve their desired shades without the need for manual mixing or relying solely on pre-mixed options.

As a leading global color solutions provider, Vibrantz has been involved in the development of color tinting systems for decades. In addition to supplying the paints and coatings industry’s most diverse range of liquid colorants and dry pigments, we provide software solutions that solve customers’ toughest challenges. Color tinting systems are incredibly important and our software solutions are relied upon the world over to help customers expand what’s possible.

The shift toward cloud-based solutions 

Color tinting systems have evolved from manual pigment mixing to advanced computerized dispensing. Early systems eliminated the difficult process of hand mixing pigments, while later developments incorporated computer technology, enabling accurate color formulation and analysis. This progression has enhanced the industry’s capacity for color accuracy, convenience and personalization, making color tinting systems an integral part of modern paint and coatings practices.

In recent years, the industry’s shift toward cloud-based tinting software has allowed paint companies to centralize data, share knowledge easily between stores and better connect with existing systems.

Innovatint – The industry’s benchmark for integrated tinting

Quality control and color matching are critical components when producing colorants for the coatings and thermoset plastics industries. Since its inception more than 20 years ago, our Innovatint software solution has become the benchmark for managing point-of-sale (POS) integrated software tinting in the paints and coatings industry. It’s functional, easy to use, has a robust interface and is built to achieve greater color accuracy, speed and service of tinted paints, which is important as retailers supply on-demand paint to end users.

Comprehensive suite of services

Innovatint 4 – our fourth generation of the software – is a one-stop-shop solution tailored to meet the needs of individual customers. From increasing productivity and cutting costs, improving store connectivity and helping tap into customer trends, Innovatint 4 provides a comprehensive suite of services unique to alternative tinting systems. The software can integrate with a variety of third-party applications, including ERP systems, e-commerce platforms and PowerBI for statistical analysis. This provides a seamless way to connect Innovatint solutions with existing tools and systems, helping streamline workflows and improve efficiency.

Our latest software optimizations include order sending to tinting machine via web browser, connectivity to Vibrantz’s Pearls dispenser and the industry’s first total solar reflectance (TSR) matching module. The TSR module is useful for architectural coatings, where color matching is critical for achieving energy-efficient building designs.

Corporate

It’s about the journey

28 July 2023 4 mins

You’ve heard us say often that Vibrantz is on an incredible journey. A journey to build an enduring and sustainable world-class specialty chemicals and materials company that our employees believe is a safe and great workplace, makes a favorable impact on the planet and creates value for stakeholders. 

We haven’t plugged our destination coordinates into a mapping app or given the address to a ride share driver as we sit idly waiting to get to the other side. On the contrary, the Vibrantz experience just over one year in is an exciting road trip where – day in and day out – our leaders and 5,000 employees are hyper focused on the steps required to keep serving our 11,000 customers while integrating, innovating and navigating today’s dynamic economic landscape. 

It’s fitting, then, that this month our blog stories focus on Vibrantz’s impact in automotive applications. In other words, we’re featuring just a few of the ways that our journey is positively impacting yours.

Weekly, the media is awash with stories featuring transportation trends. Regardless of the extent and rate at which cars and trucks are electrified, automated or used as a service, getting from point A to B in a private vehicle is something the world is rather attached to. According to Statista, private vehicle travel today is preferred by almost two times that of public transport.

It’s easy to assume the role of a chemicals and materials company in the automotive space is solely in the raw input materials used to make vehicle batteries. But for decades, Vibrantz’s advanced materials, color solutions and performance coatings have played a leading role in making vehicles safer, stand-out, more efficient and – also critical – that support the global shift to produce greener cars and trucks. Whether it’s our abrasives for brake pads, frits and glazes for taillight sensors, tanning agents, colorants and pigments for vehicle interiors, or glass enamels for windshields – Vibrantz scientists obsess over daily commute details so drivers don’t have to.

But that’s not even the best part. Our manufacturing employees also take great pride in being an important part of the vehicles driving on roads worldwide. When asked about his work at our Villagran, Mexico, facility, Guadalupe Garcia, an R&D pigments chemist said:

“I love working on products like our reflective pigments that enable cooler surfaces on cars. We really are working on solving the biggest challenges and demands of today’s market.”

Cuauhtemoc Rosas, the glass plant manager in Villagran, also shared:

“The Vibrantz purpose, vision and values – particularly safety – guide our behavior and are manifested in the products we make. Like the automotive pastes that enable windshield safety. It’s awesome seeing how our efforts are part the bigger team bringing these solutions to life.”

And while we’re proud of our impact on vehicles to date, our sights are also set further down the highway as the landscape evolves to include more hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). We recently announced the construction of a pilot project that will process high-purity manganese sulfate (HPMSM) used in batteries as original equipment manufacturers prioritize the production of zero-emission vehicles. Over the next three years, this expansion is anticipated to increase our HPMSM capacity to a level that could help power two million EVs as we provide an additional manganese sulfate alternative for the battery market serving EVs.

If you’re not yet following us on LinkedIn or X, formerly known as Twitter, I invite you to do so. If you’d like to learn about the fascinating science helping elevate everyday products, subscribe to our Vibrantz Edge blog.

If nothing else, enjoy a little “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac as you commute and journey through this month’s stories with us. 

Thermosets

As governments around the world implement stricter regulations to reduce emissions and promote sustainable transportation solutions, automakers are compelled to explore lightweight materials like thermoset composites to meet these requirements. From reducing vehicle mass and boosting driving performance, to allowing design freedom through more flexible materials, composites help designers build high-performing products more efficiently. Additionally, these composites are often more cost effective and easier to manufacture alternatives than traditional materials.

Exceptional durability is key for automotive components so producers often rely on sheet molding compounds (SMCs). SMCs are ready-to-mold, glass-reinforced polyester materials used in compression molding processes to achieve special characteristics. The prominence of SMCs in the automotive industry surged in the 1970s as automakers sought lightweight alternatives to traditional metals for body panels. Over time, ongoing advancements in material formulations and manufacturing processes have broadened SMC usage, making it a popular choice for numerous automotive components, including body panels, bumpers, structural parts and even truck beds.

The shift toward SMC technology in automobiles

The use of composites in the automotive industry is driven by several factors.

  • Weight reduction: One of the most critical advantages of composites is their lightweight nature. By incorporating composite materials into vehicle design, automakers can reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. Lighter vehicles tend to be more fuel-efficient and emit fewer greenhouse gases, contributing to better fuel economy and reduced environmental impact.
  • Performance improvement: Composites provide excellent mechanical properties, such as high strength and stiffness, enabling them to enhance the performance and safety of automotive components. This includes improving crash resistance, impact absorption and overall durability.
  • Design flexibility: Composites can be molded into complex shapes, offering automotive designers more freedom in creating innovative and aerodynamic vehicle designs. This flexibility allows for improved aesthetics and better integration of functional features.
  • Corrosion resistance: Composites are generally resistant to corrosion and rust, providing longer lifespan and reduced maintenance requirements for automotive components, particularly in extreme temperatures.

Helping customers win with UV stable technologies

Ultraviolet (UV) stability is crucial in automotive applications because constant exposure to sunlight can cause unprotected composites to degrade and lose their structural integrity over time. Within months of outdoor exposure, chalking can occur, fiberglass becomes exposed, and the part becomes visually and structurally damaged.

Through years of investment and research into UV stabilization science and decades of experience in composites, Vibrantz created UVSolutions® technology to provide maximum UV protection, resin system specification, pigment chemistry and color space. UVSolutions provides the industry’s best weathering performance in fiber-reinforced plastics and has gained prominence in composite applications for truck beds and tailgates.

 “Our goal is to help our customers win in the market. UVSolutions enhance our customers’ SMC technologies and enable them to replace traditional metal materials on vehicle exteriors.”

Ben Arnold, commercial manager for color solutions at Vibrantz.

Vibrantz UVSolutions technology, along with other raw materials, enables customers to win in the automotive market where composite technologies were traditionally overlooked. The trend of UV-stable composite technology in automobiles is driven by the automotive industry’s desire to reduce weight and improve fuel performance. As advancements in material science and manufacturing processes continue, we can expect to see more widespread adoption of UV-stable composites in various automotive applications.

Batteries

As governments worldwide promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption through incentives and stricter emission regulations, the demand for high-performance and sustainable battery technologies is growing. Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are facing a significant challenge in meeting the surging demand due to the limited supply of batteries and critical materials essential for EV production. Lithium-ion batteries, powered by advanced components like high-purity manganese sulfate (HPMSM), have become the preferred choice for EV manufacturers due to their exceptional performance, safety and affordability.

The manganese advantage in lithium-ion batteries

Utilized as a raw material to produce cathode active materials, lithium-ion batteries using manganese-based cathodes offer several advantages. They enhance safety, promote longevity and provide thermal stability, making them an ideal choice for EV batteries. Manganese-containing cathodes contribute to cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability of lithium-ion batteries. Manganese ore production and reserves are vast and HPMSM prices are low relative to nickel, cobalt and lithium. Although battery-grade manganese processing does not require new mining capacity, scale-up time is can average two to four years.

Bridging the gap in EV battery supply

To enable the widespread adoption of EV battery technology, ensuring a stable supply chain of high-purity manganese is crucial. A dependable supply chain impacts battery production, EV manufacturing and the overall transition towards cleaner energy solutions. Vibrantz already manufactures various manganese chemicals at scale and produces HPMSM at its facility in Saint-Ghislain, Belgium.

We recently announced we are embarking on a three-year journey beginning with the construction of a pilot project at our Tampico, Mexico, facility that will enable the production of up to 45,000 metric tons per year of HPMSM which could help power roughly two million EVs. This new HPMSM capacity is expected to be operational in 2026.  The expanded Mexican site, together with the existing plant in Belgium, is expected to provide two reliable HPMSM sources for the lithium-ion battery market.

“With our extensive experience of more than a decade in high-purity manganese sulfate production and over 50 years in the manganese chemical market, we are delivering cutting-edge technologies that not only benefit the OEMs in their EV production but also contribute to a more sustainable future for consumers through lower carbon footprint vehicles.”

Jean-Thibault de Besombes, senior director of strategy and product management for advanced materials at Vibrantz.

This initiative positions Vibrantz to meet the growing demand for high-performing batteries and support the rapid adoption of cleaner energy solutions.

Driving force of high-purity manganese sulfate

The significance of high-purity manganese sulfate in lithium-ion batteries stems from its ability to improve the electrochemical properties of the battery. This transition metal offers a range of benefits:

  • Improved performance: Manganese-based cathodes deliver high energy density and excellent power output, leading to longer driving ranges and enhanced acceleration for EVs.
  • Safety enhancement: Manganese contributes to thermal stability, reducing the risk of overheating or thermal runaway, ensuring the safety of EVs and their batteries.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Abundant and relatively low-cost compared to other metals used in lithium-ion battery cathodes, manganese is an economically viable choice.
  • Sustainability: By reducing reliance on expensive and environmentally impactful materials, manganese-based cathodes align with the sustainable vision of the EV industry.

As the automotive industry accelerates electrification, HPMSM plays a vital role in addressing key challenges, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Automotive and transportation, Glass

The challenge of designing safe, unique and energy-efficient cars is key for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Indeed, OEMs are in an ongoing race to distinguish their brands and products while adapting to stricter regulations. Consumers are also increasingly seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint while enjoying more comfort and convenience in the cars and trucks they drive. This all means that glass manufacturers – a critical component in the vehicle value chain – must stay ahead of safety and sustainability trends. One of the many positive contributions of glass manufacturers in the vehicle space is the development of infrared (IR) reflective windshields that enable fuel savings and enhance the driving experience, especially in hot weather.

The emergence of IR reflective windshields

In response to the call for greener mobility, the automotive industry has embraced IR reflective windshields as an innovative solution to improve energy efficiency, enhance passenger comfort and comply with environmental regulations. These windshields are designed to reflect a substantial portion of IR radiation from the sun, significantly reducing the amount of heat entering the vehicle’s interior. As a result, the cabin remains cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning during hot summer days, and ultimately leading to fuel savings and lower carbon emissions.

“Our team draws on decades of experience producing silver pastes and additional high-performing products used to enhance automotive applications,” said Andre Noppe, vice president, glass coatings. “We work hand-in-hand with glass manufacturers to provide innovative solutions that help OEM’s achieve design, safety and sustainability goals.”

Innovation drives environmentally friendly transportation

IR reflective windshields offer many energy-efficient transportation benefits.

  • Energy savings: By reducing the need for air conditioning, IR reflective windshields contribute to improved fuel efficiency, making vehicles more economical to run.
  • Environmental sustainability: Lower fuel consumption results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, helping combat climate change and promote a greener future.
  • Enhanced comfort: IR reflective windshields maintain a cooler interior temperature, offering a more enjoyable driving experience, especially during scorching summers.

Silver pastes play a crucial role

At the heart of IR reflective windshields lies a critical component – silver pastes. Renowned for its exceptional electrical conductivity and high reflectivity in the IR spectrum, silver is the ideal choice for these specialized coatings. Silver pastes are formulated with silver particles suspended in a liquid medium, ensuring optimal adhesion to the windshield’s glass surface.

During the manufacturing process, the silver paste is applied to the windshield using a screen-printing technique. Once applied, the windshield undergoes a drying and firing process in a high-temperature furnace. This process fuses the silver particles, creating a continuous, conductive metallic layer that connects with the coating of the windshield (called bus bars). The coating is then connected to the vehicle’s electric system through the support of the silver bus bars.

High-performing products with multifaceted benefits

Vibrantz has been instrumental in the development of conductive silver pastes for automotive glass, driven by evolving market demands like modern car designs, complex glass shapes, light-weighting for fuel efficiency and end-of-life vehicle regulations.

Compared to alternative materials like metal copper stripes, printed silver is gaining popularity due to its lighter weight and increased durability. Silver pastes can be applied in thin, uniform layers and are generally more resistant to corrosion, which can be an essential consideration for long-term windshield durability.

Additionally, printed silver pastes enhance sensors for track control, rain detection, distance control and other significant safety features. They enable defogging and defrosting in this crucial area for passengers to see clearly.

While energy-efficient transportation will continue to be a top priority for both manufacturers and consumers, more and more vehicles will be equipped with energy-saving technologies that help mitigate environmental impact while lowering the operating costs for drivers.

Paints and coatings

From fashion, home furnishings and industrial design to product packaging and technology, color plays a vital role in determining consumer purchasing behavior. Not only can the use of color differentiate competitive products, but studies show that it takes 90 seconds for a customer to form an opinion about a product and roughly 90% of this opinion is influenced by color. Two out of three consumers will make a large purchase only if they like its shade, and almost 93% of people primarily perceive information visually. Color is a subtle yet powerful communication tool and it informs the way we see and how we feel about the world.

At Vibrantz, we are experts at translating what is taking place in our global culture through the language of color. Not only is it reflected in our purpose to “bring color, performance and vibrancy to life”, but we are the largest global producer of colorants and color systems. Our pigment, dispersion and colorant technologies lead the way in serving the paints, coatings, thermoset plastics and construction markets. Our products color the world we live in, and our dedicated color science team is instrumental in collaborating with customers to predict trends and solve customers’ most complex color and appearance challenges.

Color predictions shape purchasing behavior.

Every year, leading forecasting groups, colorant producers and paint suppliers pave the way for consumer trends across industries like fashion, interior design and packaging, setting the tone for the upcoming year through Color of the Year predictions. Vibrantz’s Color Solutions team releases a global Color of the Year each winter as part of our ongoing work to promote and meet future customer demands by identifying and staying ahead of market trends and encouraging broader and varied use of color in paints, coatings and thermoset plastics markets.

Last December, we announced our 2023 Color of the Year prediction “Approaching Dawn” – a violet hue ideal for subtle accents or bold statements in architectural and industrial paints and coatings applications.

“Through thoughtful consideration and trend analysis, our team enjoys choosing a Color of the Year as a magnifying glass on what’s happening in society. As a globally recognized visual language, color is a powerful communication tool and can influence buying behavior across all industries. It’s a rewarding exercise to lead the conversation when it comes to identifying global similarities for certain palettes and hues and helping customers bring these trends to life.”

– Katelyn Bevilacqua, color scientist at Vibrantz.

What does Approaching Dawn represent?

Our 2023 Color of the Year Approaching Dawn is a vibrant violet hue that imparts a sense of hope and inspiration. Emerging on the heels of a pandemic, a complicated supply chain and looming economic pressure, Approaching Dawn exudes strength and stability while remaining calming and optimistic. It is imaginative and creative but also denotes serenity and balance.

  • Name: Approaching Dawn
  • sRGB: 92, 76, 128
  • Hex: #564C7F
  • Code: VE 59-A

Approaching Dawn joins other violet hues as a dominant shade for 2023.

Mid way through the year, violet hues similar to Approaching Dawn are increasingly prevalent in consumer products. Automotive, fashion, recreation and interior design industries commonly utilize this red-shade, chromatic violet as a complementary accent to muted shades or as a bold expression.

Many color thought leaders have included purple hues in their 2023 trend predictions, including:

  • WSGN, a trend forecasting site, labeled “digital lavender” the 2023 Color of the Year
  • Popular interior design resources like Good Housekeeping and Homes & Gardens Magazine listed violets as a top architectural paint trend
  • Style influencers like Marie Claire featured lavender as a popular shade for spring and summer, and purple has dominated the red carpet at various award shows, including the Golden Globes

How we choose a Color of the Year.

As a leading global colorants supplier, we aim to predict color trends for the markets we serve. Our cross-functional teams are immersed in the world of color trends every day as we provide custom color matches, technical support, product recommendations and construct colorant databases for our customers. We take current styles into account as we predict how hues and undertones will develop and adapt to future movements.

As we expanded our global footprint as Vibrantz, we created regional Color of the Year palettes for North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific to better represent the regions we serve. With each utilizing our “Approaching Dawn” base, the four unique palettes represent trending colors prevalent in their respective regions.

Work hand in hand with our color science department.

Staying on trend in the decorative market is critical for paints, coatings and thermoset plastics producers. We work globally with our customers and color merchandising providers to create solutions to best fit their needs by assessing customers’ current color space and recommending the best colorant ranges to expand color options.

Construction

Many of the world’s significant architectural advancements were built with brick masonry due to its beauty, durability and versatility. Often referred to as man’s oldest manufactured product, clay brick materials were initially used in buildings over 6,000 years ago and have continued to gain popularity for providing superior protection from natural elements while offering an unmatched beauty and quality.

Not only is brick proven to withstand the test of time, but it is a way for builders to incorporate nature’s color palette into architectural design. The finished colors of the clay – mined from the ground and then fired in kilns to become brick – have inspired builders and home designers for centuries.

Why build with brick?

Prized for its classical curb appeal, durability and low maintenance, brick is among the most preferred types of exterior cladding.

Clay brick requires virtually no maintenance over time and is naturally energy efficient, saving companies and homeowners time and money in the long haul. It is sustainably sourced and manufactured, recyclable and reusable on new projects, renovations and more.

Brick has become a timeless design staple offering customization based on colors, sizes and patterns.

Ensuring optimal color, brick by brick.

Color is one of the strongest expressive elements when it comes to brick design. Builders and homeowners desire limitless color options to bring their unique visions to life. Vibrantz is the largest global supplier of clay colorants and the only U.S. manufacturer of manganese colorants for the North American brick market. Our wide range of “just add water” applied surface coatings are individually formulated and custom engineered, predominantly for the residential construction market.

Our custom-engineered Red Crown® engobes provide the solutions our customers need to optimize desired color applications and heat work needs, minimize risk and increase productivity. Our clay-based engobes offer excellent opacity, extending the natural color pallet of every heavy clay manufacturer.

Color forecasting for custom blended products.

Our team provides an annual clay brick color forecast that identifies trends in the construction and interior design worlds, which we use to formulate unique products for our customers. In recent years, brick manufacturing processes have evolved to enable an almost infinite number of color choices. As the popularity of brick colors change regularly, Vibrantz partners with brick industry trade organizations to monitor design trends.

Every fall, our Advance Materials team presents upcoming brick color forecasts at the Clemson Brick Forum in partnership with The National Brick Research Center.

“Evaluating and researching upcoming color trends is an ongoing part of our job,” said Bryce Switzer, brick and tile business manager at Vibrantz. “We are constantly testing and developing new colors based on the market changes and annual forecasts. We take pride in our wide range of brick color and performance choices enabling our customers and end users to achieve the look they desire.”

Our products meet requirements and exceed expectations.

We design products to meet specific individual requirements and expectations of clay customers globally. We’re committed to giving hands-on access to specialists and the extensive resources needed to meet today’s color development challenges. Our engobes for bricks are manufactured on four continents, offering customers regional technical expertise and commercial support.

In efforts to enhance our customer experience in the U.S., we recently opened a new facility in Houston, Texas, where we make engobes for bricks and tiles, as well as products that serve additional markets.

Partner with us to achieve the look you desire.

Brick manufacturers around the world understand that no two brick plants are created equal. Raw materials from location to location will vary, along with firing temperatures and colors. Vibrantz partners with individual brick plants, matching their unique set of variables to custom designed products. We give customers peace of mind by ensuring the adhesion and color consistency of each product will achieve the desired look and feel.

Vibrantz’s array of engobes for clay bricks allow for more creativity and flexibility in designing projects, helping customers’ projects stand out.

Home furnishing and appliances

The phrase “You eat with your eyes” often refers to how people perceive the actual food on the plate and its appeal. But what many chefs also know is that the choice and color of dinnerware also impacts how we experience food. Studies have shown white plates enhance sweet flavors, black plates bring out more savory flavors and red plates reduce the amount of food a diner eats. This is why choosing the right shape, color and design are imperative.

Dinnerware that tells a story. 

Two of the biggest trends in dinnerware are artisanal craftsmanship and minimalistic designs. Artisanal dinnerware embodies the essence of human creativity and skill. Each piece results in unique and one-of-a-kind designs that add a touch of individuality to your table. From intricately painted ceramics to beautifully formed pottery using reactive glazes, artisanal dinnerware effortlessly infuses your dining experience with authenticity and charm.

Minimalist dinnerware designs offer a refreshing break from cluttered patterns and ornate details. With clean lines and simple shapes, minimalist dinnerware embraces a modern aesthetic that is both timeless and versatile. These sleek and sophisticated designs effortlessly blend into any table setting, allowing your culinary creations to take center stage, whether casual brunch or a formal dinner. Minimalist dinnerware sets the stage for a truly refined dining experience.

A variety of solutions to help your brand stay on trend. 

When it comes to choosing dinnerware, we often seek something that not only serves its purpose but also adds an element of charm to our dining experience. Ceramic glazes play a significant role in achieving this balance. Beyond their protective coating, glazes bring a kaleidoscope of unique colors to your dinnerware, turning each meal into a feast for the eyes.

“Our glazes help transform ordinary table settings into extraordinary culinary showcases. Ceramic glazes provide an array of vibrant, subtle and elegant colors for your dinnerware. From classic blues and greens to warm earthy tones and rich jewel hues, the palette of colors is practically limitless.”

– Lutz Poth, global director of innovation and technology at Vibrantz.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, our ceramic glazes offer practical benefits as well. Fusing the glaze with the ceramic surface provides a durable protective layer. This ensures your dinnerware remains resistant to dishwashing, scratches, stains and general wear and tear, even with regular use. The colors of the glaze remain vibrant over time, maintaining the visual appeal of your dinnerware for years to come.

Additionally, our screen and digital printing inks provide dinnerware with all types of appealing graphics. Our digital inks, applicable on raw glazed dinnerware or on decal paper, provide a true digital seven-color system (CMYK and RGB) in the ceramics industry. This process maximizes spectral printing possibilities and enables faithful reproduction of images and illustrations of all kinds. They can be printed on bone china, earthenware, porcelain and stoneware.

Digital printing in the dinnerware industry is a recent technological revolution that brings a significant reduction in labor and inventories of coloring products and decals, as well as unlimited flexibility in the size of the production batches to be produced.

From a finishing perspective, our digital inks are used to match technical properties of dinnerware and additional aesthetic effects on ceramics, including:

  • Lead-free
  • Ceramic pigments with controlled crystallization
  • Fine and controlled particle size distributions
  • Broad chromatic range with the possibility to combine with ceramic effects (glossy, matt, sinking, etc.)

Our glazes, colors, paints and inks provide unique properties to dinnerware manufacturers. 

Our products provide infinite color ranges and options, making it the first choice where the design needs to meet special requirements.

Corporate

Building an authentic culture

06 June 2023 4 mins
A place where employees feel empowered to be authentic, innovate and deliver significant value to customers and society. This is the culture we are building at Vibrantz Technologies. 

The challenge of bringing together three companies and three different cultures is something we continue to take seriously.  A recent McKinsey report stated that 25% of executives cite cultural misalignment as an integration concern. So how are we building a strong, shared culture that helps ensure Vibrantz thrives?

Our people are our why.

Our 5,000+ employees are our greatest strength. They are the why behind so much of what we do, like why we focus so strongly on developing, rewarding and retaining our employees and why we work together to ensure we’re bringing our core purpose to life each day. 

“We’re uniquely passionate about creating a highly engaged workforce,” said Imelda Torres-Laborde, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Vibrantz. “This means we are committed to creating a workplace where our people come to work each day and can perform tasks that suit their skills and talents, but also that they can do work that challenges, inspires and brings them pride. If we can do this, we will succeed far beyond providing strong financial results.”

We’re uniquely passionate about creating a highly engaged workforce. This means we are committed to creating a workplace where our people come to work each day and can perform tasks that suit their skills and talents, but also that they can do work that challenges, inspires and brings them pride. If we can do this, we will succeed far beyond providing strong financial results.”

Programs built to leave a legacy. 

As we work toward our vision to become an enduring and sustainable organization, we envision a Vibrantz with our six core values – safety, commitment to customers, our people, sustainability and the environment, commitment to excellence and integrity, ethics and trust, – as part of the organization’s fabric. We have worked hard in our first year to begin building a collaborative environment and our sites have gone above and beyond in the commitment they’ve shown. In the past year our team has:

  • Celebrated International Women’s Day with employees worldwide and focused on inclusion 
  • Hosted a virtual 5K event for employees, neighbors and families to connect while being active
  • Heard from over 90% of employees in our first employee feedback survey
  • Continued to hear from over 200 employees directly via in-person focus groups worldwide
  • Commemorated our one-year anniversary as Vibrantz
  • Been recognized as the fifth most active chemical company on social media in the U.S. and 29th in the world

We aim to have our people feel valued, and we are in the business of improving their lives at work and in their communities. We have begun to measure and strengthen our workforce’s engagement and the investments we’re making to ensure employees’ safety, development and inclusion. Additionally, we are focusing on our sustainability efforts with a mission to ensure the vibrancy of our people, culture, communities and planet.  As part of these efforts, we have an employee-led council in place to help drive what it means for Vibrantz to be connected with our employee base by defining what it means to: 

  • Be involved
  • Have a voice and feel valued
  • Belong to an organization that is diverse and inclusive
  • Be a company that is sought after because we are an employer-of-choice

We expect to launch our first sustainability report in 2024, highlighting the work of our Corporate Social Responsibility Council whose efforts are rooted in the powerful shared belief that we are the best versions of ourselves when we are positively impacting others. 

Paints and coatings
The concept of sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the coatings industry, whether to meet regulatory requirements or growing customer and consumer demands. Vibrantz’s Color Solutions team turned this challenge into an opportunity and developed Pearls, a high-performing and sustainable solution that revolutionizes the colorant tinting process.

Pearls is the coatings industry’s first and only volumetrically dosed tinting system of solid colorants designed for use in waterborne architectural and industrial applications. This patented technology gives colorant companies a glimpse into the future of point-of-sale tinting. Pearls is uniquely positioned to offer sustainability and performance advantages all while streamlining the tinting process.

Several benefits rolled into one technology

Sustainability advantages:

  • Biocide-free
  • 100% recyclable packaging
  • Reduced waste
  • Extended shelf life

Performance gains:

  • Highly soluble
  • Superior tinting consistency
  • Accurately dispensed
  • Low impact on paint properties

Tinting system benefits:

  • Overall cost savings
  • Reduced maintenance
  • Simple to service
  • Improved cleanliness

An accurate, low-maintenance tinting concept that is easy to use and saves money

Pearls simplifies the colorant process by reducing the need for additional additives, minimizing the general impact on important properties of the end-use paint. Solid colorants will not dry out, thicken or sediment, even with low colorant consumption, increasing shelf life substantially even after being in the dispenser.

Due to their solid form and low dusting properties, Pearls are cleaner and more user-friendly than competing technologies, and the packaging is 100% recyclable.

Pearls innovation gains momentum at the European Coatings Show

After years of development and testing, Vibrantz officially introduced this disruptive technology at the European Coatings Show (ECS) in March 2023 in Nuremburg, Germany. Over the course of three days, hundreds of attendees gathered to watch machine demonstrations and learn about Pearls™ unique advantages. Our technical team was available to share insight, prove ease of use and answer any questions surrounding the latest innovation.

“We were thrilled to introduce this highly anticipated technology to ECS attendees,” said Martijn Kunnen, commercial director for color solutions, EMEA. Our team has worked diligently to bring the Pearls concept to life, and we look forward to partnering with coatings customers to help them realize the unique sustainability, performance and cost advantages of this technology.”

Learn more about Pearls

As we continue to make Pearls available industry-wide, we’re showcasing the technology at upcoming industry events around the globe. Contact pearls@vibrantz.com or visit our landing page to learn more.

Glass

The shift in how people work has driven a change in commercial construction. Tenants are looking for increasingly specialized buildings for their unique needs and governments are calling for construction to be more environmentally friendly. The Performance Coatings team at Vibrantz is working with glass fabricators to find unique solutions for these challenges by refocusing our efforts on developing digital inks that provide qualities like reflectiveness, mirroring and luster to help commercial buildings differentiate from one another.

Bird-friendly building materials make headway in construction industries.

As the problem of bird-to-building collisions becomes more widely known, an increasing number of states, cities and municipalities are adopting legislation that recommends, and in some cases, requires, bird-friendly materials to be used on new construction and building renovations. With an estimated one billion bird fatalities annually from collisions, certain building materials can make a huge difference. 

digital inks bird safe glass

“Bird-safe glass typically is characterized by visual markers applied in a pattern. We work with glass fabricators to provide aesthetically pleasing inks for glass. Our digital inks can help lower bird collisions and improve energy efficiency due to their infrared reflective properties.”

– Pierre Plazonnet, digital technology manager for performance coatings.

Our customized solutions help you stand out and save money. 

Flat glass is the industry standard for glass manufacturing in commercial real estate design and construction. This includes glass panes on building exteriors, glass doors and separators inside buildings and glass panes used for structural decoration such as along stairwells. 

Glass fabricators commonly use screen-printed designs, effects and even pictures to differentiate buildings from one another. This can be costly due to the need for an ample supply of raw materials. It also becomes more difficult to produce different designs and effects quickly due to the need to constantly switch materials, resulting in a lower quality product. 

We provide glass fabricators with alternative solutions for screen printing that provide cost savings and unique designs. Our digital inks offer flexibility in manufacturing runs to switch design or effects quickly and require fewer raw materials. The reduced amount of materials cuts down on storage costs and helps save you money and space.

From a finishing point of view, our inks can be used to achieve technical properties as well as create a wide variety of effects on glass, including:

  • Customized designs and patterns
  • Lines and dots using inkjet frit to support bird friendly glazing
  • Anti-reflective coatings
  • Decorative finishes like luster or etch
  • Functional coatings, such as those that reduce glare, mask selected areas or improve energy efficiency (i.e. NIR reflection or optical density)

More than just architectural glass.

We offer a wide variety of these materials to meet the needs of our customers in different industries, such as automotive glass, decorative glass, structural ceramics, dinnerware and porcelain enamel

If you’re looking for technical or application support with digital inks in your glass manufacturing process, contact digitalinks@vibrantz.com to learn more.

Electronics

Over the last decade, emerging technologies have drastically shaped our world. From artificial intelligence to smart phones to the rise of personalized medicine and the expansion of electric vehicles, numerous technological advancements are enhancing our lives and making daily tasks more efficient. These advancements have improved the speed, convenience and comfort of living, working, communicating and learning. They have also significantly impacted our healthcare system by improving the quality of equipment, making it easier for practitioners to work and providing people with the tools to monitor their own health trends. Our advanced materials are used in myriad electronic applications and contribute to: 

  • Medical advancements that improve detection and treatment to enhance the quality of life. 
  • Connected device enhancements that allow multiple platforms to communicate and share data in real time.
  • Improvements in telecommunications that have led to increased learning resources.
  • The advancement of electric vehicles.

Electronics materials are at the heart of who we are.

Under the harshest conditions, our electronic materials and custom products must perform. Our highly reliable materials can be found in critical applications like pacemakers and defibrillators through glass powders, dielectric powders, thick film pastes and green tapes. These components ensure the materials inside, such as circuit boards and connecting parts, continue to provide the electrical current and structure needed to keep them operating. 

“Our team is regularly adapting our products to address customer needs and anticipate future market trends. We help customers make materials that save lives, all while tackling challenges like making it easier to access and share patient information through electronic medical records, improving the quality of wearable devices that can help identify health problems early on and connecting the world to telemedicine opportunities that were previously unavailable.”

– Heidi Van Halle, global sales director, surface technologies and electronics.

A customizable solution to everyday challenges

Our expertise in electronics extends beyond the healthcare industry. Our materials are also critical to the automotive, defense and aerospace, power management and telecommunications industries.

Corporate, Electronics

It is hard to believe we’re celebrating our first anniversary as Vibrantz Technologies. Since coming together in April 2022, we have worked diligently to integrate three company cultures and ways of working while continuing to deliver and improve on the service you have come to expect.

We reorganized our new company into three rational business units with new leadership and ways of working collaboratively. We also began to develop a strong, shared culture as we rally around our purpose to bring color, performance and vibrancy to life and our six core values.

We are proud of who we are and what we do.

We’re experts and innovators focused on solving challenges, embracing change and growing. We are innovators passionate about helping you and committed to creating a workplace where employees authentically contribute their best. Our purpose to bring color, performance and vibrancy to life is evident every day in the work we do to provide critical, high-value products; in the creative, innovative and team-oriented spirit embodied by our employees; and in our pledge to be a responsible, thoughtful and impactful presence in our communities.

We elevate the everyday.

Our advanced materials, color solutions and performance coatings are used in small amounts to make sizable impacts on a variety of industrial and consumer applications.

We have made great strides in Year One as Vibrantz.

Since Day One, we have worked to become a sustainable, world-class specialty chemicals and materials provider. In our first year together, we made incredible strides:

  • Shared processes and drove efficiencies
  • Exhibited, attended or presented at more than 35 industry trade shows
  • Launched a new corporate website to demonstrate our broader Vibrantz offering
  • Rolled out our global Environmental Health and Safety strategy
  • Finalized plans to launch a new corporate philanthropy program
  • Regularly communicated externally via social media and our CEO podcast series

A look ahead at what you can expect.

We are committed to continuing to provide world-class service and products. Expect us to:

  • Focus on maintaining and working to continually improve service levels
  • Continue investing in safety, maintenance and optimization projects at our sites
  • Identify the most promising innovation pipeline projects and work to advance them faster
  • Share more about our sustainability initiative, including lifecycle impacts of some products  
  • Gather feedback from customers in a survey later this year to understand how we can improve

Thank you for choosing to partner with us.

We hope you experience the Vibrantz brand as reflective of who we are – energetic and bold – and what we do best, which is innovating to bring color, performance and vibrancy to life. We are excited to share our journey as Vibrantz in each edition of our monthly blog.

LOAD MORE

Stay up to date on industry news and learn how Vibrantz elevates the everyday.

Follow Us

Media inquires