Frequently Asked Questions
What are FP-Opacity Pigments™?
FP-Opacity Pigments™ are composite pigments made by encapsulating TiO2 particles inside precipitated calcium carbonate. The composites are engineered to produce optimally spaced TiO2 trapped within the CaCO3 lattice. This spacing combined with carefully controlled air entrapment produces significantly improved optics compared to standard TiO2.
Are FP-Opacity Pigments™ Extenders?
The simple answer is no, FP-Opacity Pigments™ are not classed as extenders as they provide opacity to a coating. FP-Opacity Pigments™ should be thought of as white pigments which provide light scattering properties to coatings, plastics, printing inks, paper and board.
How are FP-Pigments different from Titanium Dioxide extenders?
In simple terms, most extenders do not effectively scatter light as their refractive index is close to that of the medium into which they are dispersed. FP-Opacity Pigments™ have a higher refractive index compared to extenders and therefore scatter light in their own right.
Can I replace all of my current Titanium Dioxide with FP-Opacity Pigment™?
In most cases the answer will be no, you cannot replace all of your existing Titanium Dioxide with FP-Opacity Pigments™. In the majority of formulations you should aim to replace between 5 and 30% of your TiO2, with 10 to 15% being the most common replacement ratio that we find. In some specific cases, such as very high pvc, low TiO2 ( < 3% wt/wt) formulations it may be possible to replace between 25 and 100% of the TiO2, although some loss of wet hide may result.
My formulations are already optimised for Titanium Dioxide use, can I still benefit from FP-Opacity Pigments™?
In simple terms the answer is yes. Your current Titanium Dioxide optimisation uses the properties of your chosen raw materials to their full potential (i.e. you have made all the changes you can before the product performance/quality is affected). When using FP-Opacity Pigments™ you are introducing a new raw material with additional properties, this allows you fully benefit from your existing raw material choice and to further optimise your formulation without detriment to the product quality.
Should I replace my existing extenders with FP-Opacity Pigments™?
In the majority of cases it is not necessary, or beneficial, to replace or reduce your current extender use. FP-Opacity Pigments™ should, in general, only replace Titanium Dioxide pigments. In lower pvc formulations it might be necessary to reduce the largest extender to help maintain the required gloss levels – you can get more information on this here…
How do I find the correct level of FP-Opacity Pigment™ to use?
We have developed simple to follow reformulation guidance to enable you to identify the optimum replacement levels for FP-Opacity Pigments™ in different formulation types. More information and downloads of these guidance techniques can be found here…
Can I use FP-Opacity Pigment™ in my gloss formulations?
Due to its particle size, FP-Opacity Pigment™ does not function well in most high gloss systems as it will cause an almost immediate drop in gloss, although in some solvent-based alkyd glosses small levels (<10%) of FP-Opacity Pigment™ can be used without significant gloss loss.
Do I need to mill the FP-Opacity Pigment™?
FP-Opacity Pigments™ are self-dispersing in waterbased systems and do not normally require any additional dispersant or milling time compared to the existing formulation. In solvent based systems FP-Opacity Pigments™ will disperse at the same time as the TiO2 and should reach a similar level of Fineness of Grind.
Can/should I replace opaque polymers with FP-Opacity Pigments™?
As with extenders we do not normally recommend the replacement or reduction of opaque polymer when using FP-Opacity Pigments™, although it is possible to do so with some additional reformulation. FP-Opacity Pigments™ and opaque polymer often show a synergistic effect on opacity which is beneficial to the customer and therefore we suggest opaque polymer levels are not changed when using FP-Opacity Pigments™.
Why do FP-Opacity Pigments™ appear to cost more than some other TiO2 replacement products?
FP-Opacity Pigments™ are cost effective, partial replacements for TiO2 pigments. In comparison with TiO2 pricing FP-Opacity Pigments™ will always offer substantial annual savings. With no direct competitor, FP-Opacity Pigments™ are often compared to simple extenders or even random co-milled/co-precipitated combinations of TiO2 and extenders, however these products do not offer the same level of product quality, consistency and effectiveness that FP-Opacity Pigments™ and are priced accordingly.
What is the difference between FP-Opacity Pigment™ and other composite products currently on the market?
FP-Pigments have a propriety, patented technology that enables us to produce a truly encapsulated, composite product with Titanium Dioxide particles embedded and spaced within a precipitated calcium carbonate shell; we are the only company with this technology. Currently available competitor materials are usually based on simple blends or ‘co-precipitations” of TiO2 and calcium carbonate (or other extenders) and while they claim to be composites they are in effect just random mixtures of loose TiO2 and extender – providing little more than what you could achieve directly by premixing your own TiO2 and extender. Further information can be found here…
Are FP-Opacity Pigments™ subject to the new European Legislation regarding Titanium Dioxide Carcinogen labelling?
FP-Pigments Opacity Pigment™ powder products which contain 1% or more of TiO2 pigment, have been analysed by EN 15051-2 dustiness test for their respirable TiO2 particle concentration. All FP-Opacity Pigment™ powder products had less than 1% of particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm. Based on the results, the classification criteria for TiO2 mixtures are not met and it is not mandatory to classify and label FP-Opacity Pigment™ powder products according to Annex VI of CLP Regulation EC1272/2008. Therefore FP-Pigments has decided that it will not classify FP-Opacity Pigment™ powder products according to Annex VI of CLP Regulation EC1272/2008.
FP-Pigments will add EUH212 and EUH210 statements to FP-Opacity Pigment™ powder product labels and regulatory documents on a voluntary basis.
How do I get samples of your products?
You can request samples of our products directly from your local Sales Contact or distributor or through the contact us button