Colorants & Functional Materials
The origin of the Toyo Ink Group, a world leader in colorants, lies in our organic pigment synthesis technology. In addition, the core nano-dispersion technology of the Colorants and Functional Materials segment has been refined over a century of ink and coating manufacturing experience. This technology has gone beyond traditional color applications and has evolved into such advanced fields as color filter pastes for LCDs, color resist inks, carbon nanotubes, among many others.
Pigments, Pigment Dispersions
Organic pigments are used in a range of applications that require color, including not only different types of printing inks, coatings and plastic colorants but also cosmetics, toner for color photocopiers, and ink jet printers.
In addition to hue and dispersion that match applications, we offer a range of properties that support commercialization processes and product applications such as weather resistance, heart resistance and safety. By doing so, we support lifestyles in which people enjoy using products with a range of colors.
Major Applications
- Printing inks
- Exterior paints for automobiles
- Plastic colorants
Functional Dispersions
Functional materials are materials that demonstrate a variety of functions given their physical and chemical properties such as optical elements, electrical conductivity and heat conductivity. They are used in many products that are familiar to us.
In general, functional materials fulfill their functions when coated on the surface or interface of structures, or mixed into other substances and dispersed therein. A high-level dispersion technology is indispensable to evolve products so that they can be made lighter, thinner and more functional.
Major Applications
- Secondary batteries
Product Details
Carbon dispersions for lithium-ion batteries
Cathode materials for a lithium-ion battery consist of active materials, conductive carbon and binders. The LIOACCUM™ ONESHOT WANISU™ developed by the Toyo Ink Group is a functional dispersion that features the optimal dispersion of conductive carbon and binders.
Compared with conventional manufacturing methods, it facilitates the formation of more homogeneous electrode films due to the reduced presence of coagulated carbon particles, thereby enabling the manufacture of high-grade and stable battery electrodes.
Color Filter Materials
Color filters used in such devices as flat-screen TVs, PCs and smartphones are components that play a key role in color reproduction on flat panel displays (FPD). In recent years, they have found a range of panel applications, including not only liquid crystal but also electronic paper and organic electro-luminescence.
We contribute to enhancing the functions and performance of color displays by taking advantage of the capability of comprehensively developing and manufacturing a range of products in-house, from high functional pigments to the final stage product , color resist ink (resist ink).
Major Applications
- Flat panel displays
- Image sensors
Product Details
Application development to image sensors
Image sensors are semiconductors that convert the brightness and darkness of light received from camera lenses into electric signals. With more cameras featuring small size and high performance, color filters used in image sensors are expected to become smaller and more higher resolution-oriented.
We will contribute to miniaturization through nano-dispersion technologies, and apply these technologies to sensors for special applications such as night vision for in-vehicle cameras by creating color materials that sense light with a variety of wavelengths, in addition to visible light.
Plastic Colorants
Colorants add colors and functions to a range of plastic products that are familiar to us. They make products look luxurious and dignified by means of beautiful decoration. In addition, colors designated differently according to their purpose help identify items, and are also used as effective means to protect contents by blocking ultraviolet rays.
We also leverage our original compounding and dispersion technologies to provide products that add other functions such as conductivity and heat conductivity.
Major Applications
- Packages
- Automobiles
- OA equipments, electric appliances
Product Details
Inkjet Inks
Digital printing, which is characterized by on-demand, variable, and personalized printing as well as high quality images and printability that are close to offset printing, is expanding its applications from conventional commercial printing to flexible packages, food labels, paper containers, and cardboards, etc. Using our unique dispersion techniques and ink formulation technologies, we propose new inkjet inks for a variety of applications.
Major Applications
- Cardboards and labels
- Outdoor signs
- On-demand printing (POD)