The invention relates to a transparent effect pigment which includes a non-metallic platelet-shaped substrate and a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating has a spacer layer. The invention further relates to a method for the production, as well as the use, of the transparent effect pigment.

The present invention relates to red effect pigments including a nonmetallic substrate in platelet form and a coating applied thereto, wherein the coating includes at least one of metal oxide, metal hydroxide or metal oxide hydrate, the metal ions of the metal oxide, metal hydroxide and/or metal oxide hydrate comprise at least two different metal ions selected from the group of metals consisting of Fe, Sn, Ti and Zr, and to a process for production thereof and to the use of the red effect pigments.

A method for simultaneously preparing an iron oxide red pigment and an aromatic amine is provided. In the method, an aromatic nitro compound and ferrous iron are first used to prepare an iron oxide red seed crystal under the action of a catalyst, and then iron powder is used to reduce the aromatic nitro compound and generate iron oxide in situ which grows into iron oxide red with pigment performance on the seed crystal. The method provides a clean and economical way for the reduction of an aromatic nitro compound (especially those in which there are other easily-reduced substituents on an aromatic ring) to prepare an aromatic amine.

Natural amorphous silica filler products featuring high brightness, low oil absorption, fine particle size, and low crystalline silica content are described. Methods for making, using, and measuring the properties of the natural amorphous silica filler products are also described. The natural amorphous silica filler products described herein may be useful in a variety of products including, but not limited to, polymers, sealants, paints, caulks, latex, architectural coatings, industrial coatings, pozzolan, glass catalysts, ceramic glazes, and anti-blocking applications.

A calcium carbonate-containing material and a process for preparing the inventive calcium carbonate-containing material, wherein a paint includes the inventive calcium carbonate-containing material, and to the use of the inventive calcium carbonate-containing material. The calcium carbonate-containing material is prepared from an avian eggshell, wherein the calcium carbonate-containing material has a weight-median particle size d50 of from 0.5 to 10 μm, and/or a weight top cut particle size d98 of from 2.0 to 40 μm, and wherein the calcium carbonate-containing material includes organic matter in an amount of below 1.5 wt. %, based on the total dry weight of the calcium carbonate-containing material, and wherein the calcium carbonate-containing material has i) a brightness from 90 to 100%, according to R457, and/or ii) L* from 95 to 100, according to DIN 6174.

Nontoxic Near infra-red Reflecting (NIR) inorganic pigments, characteristically blue and well suited for the coloration of a wide variety of substrates, for example, plastics and concrete building roofing material, etc., comprise mixed metal silicate having the general formula: La.sub.xSr.sub.1-xCu.sub.1-yLi.sub.ySi.sub.4O.sub.10, where x is equal to 0 to 0.5 and y is equal to 0 to 0.5. These silicates with tetragonal crystal structure are prepared by calcination method in air atmosphere.

The invention relates to a method for producing solid particles from an inorganic solid containing at least one alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal, comprising at least the following steps: a) providing the inorganic solid containing at least one alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal; b) extracting the at least one alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal from the inorganic solid containing alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal to obtain an extract containing the alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal and an alkali metal-depleted and/or alkaline earth metal-depleted residue; c) separating the extract from the residue; d) processing the residue to obtain the solid particles, wherein at least one of the processing steps is selected from a group comprising transporting, filling, packaging, washing, drying, adjusting the pH value, separating according to a mean grain size and/or mass and/or density, adjusting a mean grain size, magnetic separating, calcining, thermal rounding and surface coating.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous suspension comprising at least one calcium carbonate-comprising material, the calcium carbonate-comprising material having a ratio of particles having an average particle size d.sub.80 value to particles having an average particle size d.sub.20 value [d.sub.80/d.sub.20] in the range from 1.5 to 4 and the use of the calcium carbonate-comprising material in paper and board applications, in cosmetics, in caulks and sealants, in adhesives, in paints and coatings, in fibre applications, in plastics applications or for the replacement of PCC in general.

A paint composition of the present invention contains an aluminum pigment and a mica pigment. The content of the aluminum pigment is equal to or higher than the content of the mica pigment. The aluminum pigment has a specific surface area, determined by the BET method, of not more than 55000 cm.sup.2/g, an average thickness of not less than 0.3 μm, and an aspect ratio of not more than 50.

High SRI cementitious systems comprising integral concrete coloring admixtures, toppings, dry-shake hardeners, and other cementitious systems are provided. The high-SRI cementitious systems comprise one or more IR reflective pigments and other components to make-up the cementitious system, depending on the application. The high-SRI cementitious systems of the invention may be in the form of mixtures which increase the total solar reflectivity (TSR or albedo) and the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of concrete. The high-SRI cementitious systems may be toppings mixed with water for application to existing concrete surfaces, dry-shake hardeners for application to freshly-placed plastic concrete, or the IR reflective pigments may be mixed into integrally colored concrete in various forms, such as conventional cast-in-place concrete, lightweight concrete, pervious concrete and concrete building panels, pavers or masonry units.