Merck Launches New Generation of Effect Pigments for the Auto Sector

After Iriodin in the 1980s and Xirallic in the 1990s, Merck has now added another innovative family of effect pigments to its portfolio. The new Meoxal effect pigments captivate with their brilliant colour saturation and exceptional performance thanks to their innovative layer technology and the use of aluminium flakes as substrate. Meoxal is highly suitable for a multitude of high performance applications, especially for automotive and plastic coatings.

As a pioneer in the effect pigments, Merck has always been at the forefront of advanced technology and the latest in global trends. Taking its commitment forward, Merck created Meoxal giving customers an opportunity to witness and experience the latest innovations in the world of automotive interiors and design.

One of the first pigments under the new brand name, Meoxal®, is Wahiba Orange; named after the famous Wahiba Sands, a one-of-a-kind desert region in the sultanate of Oman. Inspired by the timeless, fascinating beauty of this desert, it adds saturated red, orange and brown tones to the styling spectrum.

Like all pigments in the new product series, Meoxal Wahiba Orange has a specially treated surface. Thanks to this special CWT (“Carbitol and Weather Treatment”) surface treatment; Meoxal Wahiba Orange is highly suitable for innumerable high performance applications – especially for automotive and plastic coatings as well as for other demanding exterior applications. Using the new pigment in waterborne coating systems is particularly straightforward because no additional passivation is needed.

Meoxal is a result of continuous research to develop new pigment technologies at Merck. The effect pigments are a combination of well-known substrate layering with metal oxides, new flake technology and innovative, patented intermediate layering know-how. This structure gives Meoxal especially striking saturation and brilliance combined with excellent performance.

Its properties at a glance

• Enormous brilliance with outstanding colour saturation

• Elegant sparkle effects of individual particles

• Optimized particle size distribution for coating applications

• Outstanding performance, particularly in waterborne coating systems

• Easy to use – no additional passivation necessary in waterborne coating systems

• Good shelf life

Speaking about the new launch, Siddhartha Sengupta, Regional Sales Director Asia (Decoratives) said, “With Meoxal, we are setting a further milestone in pigment technology. This range will enable us to continue to support our customers in the development of new and innovative coatings. Wahiba Orange is the first in this range that we are bringing to India and we are confident that it will be well received by the auto and plastic coatings industry.”