What do CI numbers mean?

CI numbers are standardized identifiers assigned by the Color Index International. They consist of a pigment class (e.g., "Pigment Red") and a sequential number. This globally recognized system ensures consistent, precise technical communication across the pigment industry, eliminating the confusion caused by proprietary brand names.

What is the difference between organic and inorganic pigments?

Organic pigments are carbon-based molecules that typically offer exceptionally vibrant colors, high tinting strength, and good transparency. Inorganic pigments are mineral-based or synthetic metallic compounds that generally provide superior opacity, extreme heat stability, and outstanding weather resistance. Both have specific industrial applications.

How do I choose the right pigment for my application?

To choose the right pigment, consider your key performance requirements: target color, heat stability, lightfastness, dispersion properties, and cost constraints. Our technical data sheets provide detailed specifications for every grade. Furthermore, our in-house technical team can analyze your formulation and recommend the exact pigment that meets your needs.

Does Manali manufacture all the pigments in this reference?

Yes. Every pigment listed in this reference database is manufactured 100% in-house at our facility. We do not source pigments from third-party traders or external manufacturers. This vertical integration ensures absolute quality control and batch-to-batch consistency across our entire portfolio.

What is the significance of the Blue Wool Scale for lightfastness?

The Blue Wool Scale measures a pigment's resistance to fading under UV light, ranging from I (very poor) to VIII (outstanding). For demanding applications like exterior architectural coatings or outdoor plastics, we recommend specifying pigments with a rating of VII or VIII, such as our Phthalocyanine Blue (PB 15:3) or Chrome Oxide Green (PG 17), to ensure long-term color retention.

How does heat stability affect pigment selection for plastics?

Heat stability dictates the maximum processing temperature a pigment can endure before degrading or shifting color. In masterbatch and plastic compounding, extrusion temperatures often exceed 250°C. Inorganic pigments like Synthetic Ultramarine (PB 29) easily withstand these temperatures, while organic pigments must be carefully selected; for instance, our specialized diazo pigments are engineered to survive up to 280°C.

Why is tinting strength an important metric for formulators?

Tinting strength measures how effectively a pigment imparts color to a base material. A pigment with high tinting strength, such as our Organic Azo yellows, requires less loading to achieve the target shade, directly reducing your formulation costs. Our 100% in-house manufacturing process tightly controls particle size to maximize tinting strength in every batch.

Do you provide technical data sheets (TDS) for all CI numbers?

Yes, we provide comprehensive Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all 60+ organic and inorganic CI numbers we manufacture. These documents detail specific properties including opacity, oil absorption, pH value, specific gravity, and chemical resistance profiles. You can request specific TDS documentation through our technical support portal.

CI number structure breakdown infographic showing pigment class hue and number identification system for Color Index International

Complete Pigment CI Number Reference

All 10 Categories, 100% In-House Manufactured

For procurement managers, R&D chemists, and technical formulators, precise material specification is the difference between a successful production run and a catastrophic failure. Every pigment in this reference database is manufactured 100% in-house, so the heat stability, lightfastness, and tinting strength detailed here are consistently delivered in every batch you order.

The Global Standard for Colorant Identification

The Color Index International (CII) is the globally recognized reference database jointly maintained by the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). Within this system, "CI numbers" serve as standardized identifiers that classify colorants based on their chemical structure and application class, eliminating the confusion caused by proprietary trade names.

A standard pigment designation consists of the application class, hue, and a sequential number. For example, in the designation Pigment Red 112 (often abbreviated as PR 112), "Pigment" indicates the application class (insoluble colorant), "Red" indicates the hue, and "112" identifies the specific chemical structure (in this case, a Naphthol AS monoazo pigment). The system also assigns a unique five-digit Constitution Number based on the chemical structure.

For procurement and technical communication, CI numbers are indispensable. They allow formulators to specify the exact chemical entity required for an application, ensuring that safety, regulatory compliance, and performance metrics (such as heat stability and lightfastness) are met regardless of geographic location or language barriers.

Understanding CI numbers is essential when specifying pigments for demanding applications such as high-temperature plastics or UV-exposed construction materials.

Pigment color wheel showing all pigment colors organized by category including organic azo phthalocyanine ultramarine and chrome oxide

Organic Pigment CI Numbers

Organic pigments are carbon-based molecules that typically offer exceptionally vibrant colors, high tinting strength, and excellent transparency. Manali Pigments manufactures over 60 distinct organic pigment CI numbers in-house, encompassing comprehensive ranges of Azo (monoazo and diazo) and Phthalocyanine chemistries. Below is a representative selection of our high-performance organic portfolio.

Pigment samples organized by CI number showing organic azo and phthalocyanine pigments manufactured in-house by Manali Pigments

Swipe horizontally to review all technical columns.

Organic Pigment CI Numbers Reference Table
CI Number	Chemical Name	Primary Applications	Heat Stability	Lightfastness (Full/Tint)	Tinting Strength
Pigment Blue 15:3	Copper Phthalocyanine (Beta)	Inks, Plastics, Paints	280°C	8 / 8	Very High
Pigment Green 7	Phthalocyanine Green	Plastics, Coatings, Textiles	300°C	8 / 8	Very High
Pigment Red 112	Naphthol AS Monoazo	Printing Inks, Paints	160°C	7 / 6	High
Pigment Orange 34	Diarylide Orange	Plastics, Industrial Coatings	200°C	7 / 6	High
Pigment Yellow 83	Diarylide Yellow	Plastics, Inks	200°C	7 / 6	High
Pigment Yellow 174	Diarylide Yellow (Modified)	Offset Inks	180°C	5 / 4	Very High
Pigment Red 57:1	Monoazo Lake	Printing Inks, Plastics	160°C	5 / 4	Very High

Inorganic Pigment CI Numbers

Inorganic pigments are mineral-based or synthetically produced metallic compounds. While they may not offer the extreme chromatic vibrancy of organics, they excel in demanding environments, providing superior opacity (hiding power), extreme heat stability, and outstanding weather resistance. Because they are generally unaffected by ultraviolet radiation and harsh chemicals, inorganic pigments are the default specification for outdoor applications with decades-long lifecycles.

Manali Pigments manufactures premium inorganic categories in-house, including Ultramarine, Chrome, and Chrome Oxide. Our dedicated laboratory testing infrastructure ensures that every batch of inorganic pigment undergoes rigorous spectrophotometric analysis and thermal testing. This guarantees that our Pigment Green 17 and Pigment Blue 29 grades consistently meet the exacting standards required for military coatings, high-temperature engineering plastics, and architectural cementitious materials.

Laboratory testing equipment for quality assurance of inorganic pigments including spectrophotometry and heat stability analysis

Swipe horizontally to review all technical columns.

Inorganic Pigment CI Numbers Reference Table
CI Number	Chemical Name	Primary Applications	Heat Stability	Lightfastness (Full/Tint)	Tinting Strength
Pigment Blue 29	Synthetic Ultramarine	Plastics, Paints, Cosmetics	350°C	8 / 8	Moderate
Pigment Green 17	Chrome Oxide Green	Construction, Military Coatings	1000°C+	8 / 8	Moderate
Pigment Yellow 34	Lead Chromate Yellow	Industrial Coatings, Plastics	220°C	8 / 7	High
Pigment Red 104	Molybdate Orange	Industrial Coatings, Plastics	220°C	8 / 7	High
Pigment Black 7	Carbon Black	Inks, Plastics, Paints	>500°C	8 / 8	Very High
Pigment Violet 15	Ultramarine Violet	Plastics, Cosmetics, Paints	350°C	8 / 8	Moderate

Understanding Dyes vs Pigments

The fundamental difference in the "dye vs pigment" debate lies in solubility. Dyes are colorants that are completely soluble in the vehicle or medium (such as water or specific solvents) in which they are applied. Because they dissolve down to the molecular level, dyes offer exceptional brilliance and complete transparency. However, they generally lack the durability required for harsh environments, suffering from lower lightfastness and a tendency to migrate or bleed within plastics.

Pigments, conversely, are insoluble particulate solids. They must be mechanically dispersed (milled or ground) into a resin, plastic, or liquid medium. Because they remain as solid particles, pigments offer vastly superior durability, excellent lightfastness, heat stability, and resistance to migration.

While Manali is globally recognized for our comprehensive pigment manufacturing, we also manufacture specialized solvent dyes for applications where absolute transparency and solubility are required, such as in foil printing, wood stains, and specific polymer colorations.

Dyes vs pigments comparison infographic showing side-by-side differences in solubility lightfastness heat stability and applications

Choosing Between Organic and Inorganic Pigments

Organic vs inorganic pigments chart comparing properties including heat stability lightfastness opacity and color strength

When formulating, the choice between organic vs inorganic pigments is dictated by the performance requirements of the end product. Organic Pigments (e.g., Phthalocyanines, Azos) provide high color strength, brilliant hues, and excellent transparency, making them ideal for printing inks and bright plastics. However, they generally have lower heat stability (often degrading above 250°C) and can be more susceptible to solvent bleed compared to inorganics.

Inorganic Pigments (e.g., Ultramarine, Chrome Oxide) are characterized by their robust physical properties. They offer excellent opacity (hiding power), extreme heat stability (often exceeding 300°C), and unparalleled weather resistance. They are the preferred choice for construction materials, high-temperature engineering plastics, and industrial protective coatings, though their colors are typically more muted than organics.

Because Manali Pigments manufactures both organic and inorganic categories in-house, our technical team can provide unbiased guidance on the optimal colorant for your specific formulation, or develop custom blends that leverage the strengths of both.

Pigments for Demanding Applications

Standard commodity pigments are sufficient for many applications, but extreme environments require specialized chemistries. Manali manufactures a range of High Performance Pigments (HPPs) and specialty colorants designed to withstand severe conditions or provide unique optical effects. Our Fluorescent Pigments are engineered for high-visibility applications in safety coatings and specialty inks, absorbing UV light to emit brilliantly glowing colors. For automotive and luxury packaging, our Pearlescent Pigments utilize mica substrates coated with metal oxides to create sophisticated luster and color-shifting effects. Additionally, our high-performance organic grades (such as specific Quinacridones and Dioxazines) are synthesized to bridge the gap between organic vibrancy and inorganic durability, offering the extreme weatherability required for automotive OEM finishes and outdoor architectural coatings.

Pigment selection decision tree flowchart for choosing between fluorescent pearlescent and high performance organic pigments

Key Technical Specifications Explained

For application-specific selection guidance, explore our dedicated hubs for printing inks and paints and coatings.

Pigment properties reference table showing lightfastness heat stability dispersion and transparency ratings for industrial pigment selection

Lightfastness (Blue Wool Scale)

Lightfastness measures a pigment's resistance to fading when exposed to light. It is typically measured on the Blue Wool Scale from I (very poor) to VIII (outstanding). For outdoor applications like architectural paints or exterior plastics, pigments rated VII or VIII (such as Phthalocyanine Blue PB 15 or Ultramarine Blue PB 29) are strictly required to ensure long-term color retention.

Heat Stability

Heat stability indicates the maximum temperature a pigment can withstand for a specific duration (usually 5 minutes) without undergoing a noticeable color shift. This is critical for the plastics industry during injection molding or extrusion. Inorganic pigments like Chrome Oxide generally offer superior heat stability (>300°C), while organic azo pigments must be carefully selected based on the processing temperature of the specific polymer.

Pigment Dispersion

Dispersion refers to how easily and uniformly pigment particles can be distributed within a medium. Proper dispersion is essential for maximizing tinting strength and preventing surface defects. Particle size heavily influences dispersion; finer particles (nano-scale) are required for inkjet inks, while slightly larger, easily wettable particles are preferred for plastics. Manali offers pre-dispersed pigment preparations to simplify the manufacturing process for our clients.

Transparency vs. Opacity

Opacity (hiding power) is the ability of a pigmented film to obscure the substrate, while transparency allows light to pass through. Inorganic pigments generally offer high opacity due to their higher refractive indices, making them ideal for wall paints. Organic pigments are typically more transparent, which is essential for process printing inks (CMYK) where colors must trap and blend optically on the paper.

For high-volume manufacturing, Manali also offers pre-dispersed pigment preparations to simplify your production process.

Complete CI Number Database Overview

The table below provides a comprehensive overview of all 10 pigment categories manufactured in-house by Manali Pigments, including representative CI numbers, colour families, and available product ranges. For the complete database with full technical specifications, request our CI Database PDF.