September 25, 2024 – Guangxi Anhexinju Technology Co., Ltd. is forging ahead with the construction of its ambitious project aimed at producing 30,000 tons of iron oxide and 5,000 tons of high-quality nano pigment dispersions annually. Following the completion of the environmental assessment public notification, preparations for the project, which boasts a total investment of 150 million yuan, are in full swing. The endeavor is geared towards establishing an integrated production system that seamlessly combines pigments and dispersions.
The company’s blueprint includes the construction of production workshops, a comprehensive building, and a research facility, complemented by production lines capable of producing 1,000 tons of nano iron oxide, 20,000 tons of yellow iron oxide, 10,000 tons of black iron oxide, and 5,000 tons of premium nano pigment dispersions per year. These strategic moves are poised to significantly bolster the company’s manufacturing capabilities in the realm of iron oxide pigments and nano dispersions.
Iron oxide pigments, a pivotal segment of inorganic pigments, find extensive applications across various industries including building materials, coatings, plastics, and cosmetics. Notably, in high-end automotive coatings, architectural paints, anti-corrosion coatings, and powder coatings, iron oxides are favored for their exceptional environmental performance. Globally, the annual consumption of iron oxide-based pigments surpasses one million tons, trailing only titanium dioxide in terms of inorganic pigment usage.
In 2023, China’s iron oxide pigment capacity reached 700,000 tons, with actual production amounting to 589,000 tons. Of this, a substantial 280,000 tons were exported, accounting for 47.53% of total production. As the world’s largest producer and consumer of coatings, China’s coating industry exhibits a sustained robust demand for iron oxide-based pigments. Domestic sales of these pigments in the coating sector amounted to 116,000 tons in 2023, representing 43.9% of total sales and marking a 20% year-on-year growth. Projections indicate that China’s coating production will maintain a growth rate of around 6%, while global coating production is anticipated to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.1%.
Nano iron oxide, a new generation of high-quality industrial pigments, is characterized by its resistance to high temperatures, light, and heat, along with high wettability, durability, chemical resistance, and low toxicity. In the pigment domain, nano iron oxide (particularly iron (III) oxide) is widely utilized for coloring purposes, while iron (II, III) oxide finds more application in magnetic materials. Additionally, nano iron oxide, also known as transparent iron oxide, is employed in the production of transparent paints that offer excellent decorative properties. These transparent paints can be used either standalone or in conjunction with dispersions of other organic color pigments, finding widespread use in premium decorative applications for automobiles, bicycles, instruments, and meters.
As technology advances and application areas expand, the market prospects for nano iron oxide are widely optimistic. Across coatings, catalysts, biomedicine, pigments, semiconductor materials, and functional ceramics, nano iron oxide demonstrates immense market potential. Looking ahead, the market size of nano iron oxide is expected to further expand in the coming years, fueled by technological innovations and market penetration strategies.