Regulatory restrictions have become stronger throughout the chemical industry, and pigments are no exception. Leading pigment manufacturers report that they are facing more mandates throughout the world.
   
Chris Weighill, VP and GM – ink industry, Sun Chemical Performance Pigments, said that the importance of global regulations, such as REACH, the TSCA reset and the FCM in China, continues to grow for pigment manufacturers.
   
“For printing inks, new legislation is introduced regularly,” added Weighill. “One example includes the new legislation published in Turkey which aligns its rules on food contact materials with those of the European Union. Turkey also published its own version of REACH, known as KKDIK, which impacts any importer of raw materials into Turkey, including ink manufacturers.
   
“Controls can differ greatly across the globe,” Weighill pointed out. “These changes can influence regional pigment selection, binder chemistry and formulation flexibility. Sun Chemical’s regulatory team works with global agencies and provides information and data for customers to stay on top of changing local regulations, and to design products that meet new requirements.”
 
“With higher and higher requirements on EHS, customers would like to receive safer and greener products, all that will bring more and more challenge into the pigment industry,” said Falko Orlowski, EVP sales and marketing for Trust Chem USA.
 
Frank Magdits, business development manager, dispersions, Aakash Chemicals & Dye-Stuffs, Inc., said that companies must continue to invest in both regulatory personnel and independent third-party testing to stay compliant
 
Oliver Pfefferkorn, sales director, Union Colours Limited, noted that regulations are often influenced by people, not from the industry who have difficulties understanding what affect new stricter regulations have on the industry
 
“Also testing equipment is getting more and more sophisticated, which leads to requirements for pigments which are nearly impossible to fulfill,” said Pfefferkorn.  “We are a member of relevant associations to make sure we are aware of the latest requirements, which then leads to efforts in further cleaning our pigments to make them fit for use.”
 
“REACH in Europe has caused a small hurdle to jump over because you must be registered or join a SEIF and it is a financial commitment and investment in the future,” said Alexis Capik, VP of Spectra Colors. “In the USA, TSCA (Toxic Substance Control Act) is a way for the USA to regulate what is being imported and exported and the health risks associated with them.”
   
“That there are ever increasing regulatory requirements is no surprise, but companies need to have manufacturing produce compliant products, laboratory capability to test products, and perhaps most importantly, the expertise to not just navigate the regulations but more importantly to communicate with customers the impact and chart a course for compliance,” said Mark Ryan, marketing manager, The Shepherd Color Co. “
 
“We see two impacts,” Dr. Sanjay Monie, marketing manager – inks, batteries & special applications for Orion Engineered Carbons, said. “The first is the effect of environmental regulations. All major US carbon black producers have to comply with US EPA consent degrees. We will incur capital expenditures, increased operating expenses and downtime as we modify our plants to meet these requirements over the next few years.
 
The second impact is the MARPOL (Marine Pollution) Act,” Dr. Monie added. “It is going to require ships to burn low-sulfur fuel throughout their journeys, so the demand and therefore the price for low-sulfur feedstock is going to rise dramatically as MARPOL is implemented. It takes effect beginning in 2020, but the impact is already being felt.”
 
Chris Patterson, head of global technical & strategical marketing printing, BU Pigments at Clariant, noted that in general, an increasing number of regulatory guidelines can be expected on a global base in future.
 
“Examples are REACH and similar guidelines for Turkey and Korea,” Patterson added. “Consequently, the efforts to fulfill such guidelines through additional data collection might lead to an additional cost driver for pigments.”
   
Jyoti Gidvani, corporate purchasing, Toyo Ink America, LLC, noted that many suppliers have shifted their focus from China to other countries for the production of pigments.
 
“However, China has most production of feedstocks for pigments,” Gidvani added. “Environmental regulations in China impact availability and prices of pigments. Regulations that are specific to region or country limit selection of pigments. Regulations such as inks printed on materials that come in contact with food, limit selection of pigments. Regulations may also be additional taxes imposed on pigment producers. Many small or medium size producers are forced to reduce or shut down production.”