CHINAPLAS 2014: Eckart effect pigments target robust auto industry

CHINAPLAS exhibitor, ECKART Zhuhai Co., Ltd, a member of the Altana Group, made an impressive impact with visitors as it showcased its range of effect pigments based on metal materials.The company offers pigments developed to provide automotive and other industries excellent alternative -- plastic parts with glossy finish over painted metals. 

The company introduced for the first time in Asia its Platalux pigment, which provides a range of different effect colours that has been expanded to include a new silvery glitter effect pigment. Platalux enables extraordinarily intensive glitter effects in pure colours or in combination with transparent colour pigments and dyes. The pigment provides good hiding power and excellent temperature stability, and can thus also be used for transparent high-temperature applications.? 

“We are launching Platalux for the first time in Asia, although this product was introduced at K 2013. Our clear target is to launch Platalux as our important innovation here at CHINAPLAS because we believe this show is the leading show in Asia and an important gateway into the Asian market, “ according to Dr. J?rg Krames, Global Business Line Manager for Coatings and Plastics at Eckart.

At the booth, Eckart showed a Transformer – which features its various automotive parts and other products assembled into one Transformer robot with glossy metallic finish of the plastic parts as a result of the Eckart Mass Tinting – a unique innovation that provides brilliant metallic shades to colourful pearlescence , from fabulous sparkle parts to energy saving production.

“Automotive is a key driver in the growth of our products as we aim to target the replacement of metal parts to plastic parts. Automotive will and plays a significant role as a global driver for the industry all over the world. With the tendency to replace automotive metal parts with plastic parts, we see a growth market for our effect pigments,” Dr.  Krames explained.

The pigments highlighted at CHINAPLAS reflect the company’s vision where “emotion and function” are combined in Eckart’s high quality pigments and services. “In the automotive sector, we note that emotion plays a key role because consumers buy cars when they like the colour or they like the shape, and are emotionally addressed by the car,” Dr. Krames said. Here, Eckart plays a significant role with its “emotional products.”  “When you look at the Eckart series designed for automotive, these give the designer the freedom to replace a painted part with a coated part. This brings us to another driver in the industry -- he total custom ownership for mass tinted part, an option that offer lower production cost,” according to Dr. Krames.

Eckart currently has a factory in Zhuhai, which has been operating since 2008. The plant produces products that are being sold in China and the rest of Asia. 

Dr. J?rg Krames

Global Business Line Manager for Coatings and Plastics

Eckart ECKART Zhuhai Co. Ltd.           

Tel:  +86-20 8387 8860

Fax:  +86-20 8384 7584

E-mail:  joerg.krames@altana.com

Website: www.altana.com