How to Select a Good Pigment and/or Solvent Dyes Supplier?

[Ang Swor]

Dear all,

One of my friend is going to open his own plastic factory and as we may know, we need different pigments, including inorganic pigments and organic pigments and/or solvent dyes in the producing processes, but he knows a little about them, so he turns to me.

Even though I have been in the field of pigments and solvent dyes for a few years, but I seldom deal with suppliers. Thus, I post this out and hope you can help us out, thanks.

As for the suppliers, I know a little. For example, almost 3/4 suppliers such as Xinghua pigments group are from China, but I heard that their technology is not very advanced which may affect the product qualities; while there are international giants such as CABOT, HUNSMAN, BASF, CLARIANT AND DIC having very powerful technologies, but I heard that most of them are doing OEM with the Chinese pigment companies, so I am a little confused.

Please share some useful suggestion with me and I hope that the information I shared above will be helpful to anyone who reads this post.

Looking forward to your comments and thanks again.

[DrP]

17 minutes ago, Ang Swor said:

CABOT, HUNSMAN, BASF, CLARIANT AND DIC

You might need to purchase through a distributor. What sort of quantities will you require? I would advise getting samples of the pigments you want to use and test then in your formulations...  get quotes from different distributors/suppliers.   You might be able to talk direct o some of these companies to request samples, but they will probably want you to purchase through a distribution chain  -  they will direct you to their distributors for quotations most likely.

If you know what you are after (or have some idea) - ring up or e-mail and get someone from their sales or technical team to talk to you about your requirements - they will help you the best they can as they will want to sell you their product.  Get samples from different distributors from different suppliers  - test them. Get quotes for the things that work the best and compare prices.  Then sit down and discuss prices and quality with the owner and the company chemists/formulators and decide on what you want to buy.  If you are buying a lot then you will want to give the distributor an estimate of your usage so they can keep stocked so they always have stock for delivery so you are not kept waiting (if that is an issue).

 

I hope this helps. You could write a book about sourcing products and industrial purchasing...  If you have any specific questions please ask.

 

[DrP]

If you are in the UK I can direct you to some suppliers for products that come from some of the companies you mentioned. What sort of quantities do you want and what products? Do you have an estimate for what you will need annually? If you need to do this via pm then do so - give me your contact details and I could have reps from some of those companies calling you tomorrow to discuss your requirements. 

[Ang Swor]

20 hours ago, DrP said:

You might need to purchase through a distributor. What sort of quantities will you require? I would advise getting samples of the pigments you want to use and test then in your formulations...  get quotes from different distributors/suppliers.   You might be able to talk direct o some of these companies to request samples, but they will probably want you to purchase through a distribution chain  -  they will direct you to their distributors for quotations most likely.

If you know what you are after (or have some idea) - ring up or e-mail and get someone from their sales or technical team to talk to you about your requirements - they will help you the best they can as they will want to sell you their product.  Get samples from different distributors from different suppliers  - test them. Get quotes for the things that work the best and compare prices.  Then sit down and discuss prices and quality with the owner and the company chemists/formulators and decide on what you want to buy.  If you are buying a lot then you will want to give the distributor an estimate of your usage so they can keep stocked so they always have stock for delivery so you are not kept waiting (if that is an issue).

 

I hope this helps. You could write a book about sourcing products and industrial purchasing...  If you have any specific questions please ask.

 

Dear DrP,

Do appreciate a lot for your replies.

According to your replies, I bet you are a very professional man in this field and REALLY thanks a lot for your professional suggestions.

I will pass your comment on to my friend and let him read it carefully and seriously.

Please allow me to say THANK YOU TO YOU for my friend.

Good luck.

15 hours ago, DrP said:

If you are in the UK I can direct you to some suppliers for products that come from some of the companies you mentioned. What sort of quantities do you want and what products? Do you have an estimate for what you will need annually? If you need to do this via pm then do so - give me your contact details and I could have reps from some of those companies calling you tomorrow to discuss your requirements. 

Dear DrP,

You are very kind and thanks for your suggestions.

We are NOT in UK, sorry.

[DrP]

4 hours ago, Ang Swor said:

THANK YOU

You are welcome.

Let me know if you need distributor names for those companies...  although you should be able to find that out by calling and talking to them. Explain your needs to them and they will suggest products in a range that you can look at. Good luck.