The present invention relates to an inorganic particulate material suitable for use in polymeric films, compositions such as polymeric films comprising the inorganic particulate materials, methods of making said compositions and the various uses of the inorganic particulate materials and compositions.

A solid composite material combining: an inorganic pigment in the form of discrete particles each comprising a colored core and a coating adapted to allow light to pass through and a matrix based on metalloid or metal oxide, said matrix being adapted to allow light to pass through.

A method of colouring cementitious building materials such as concrete is disclosed. The method uses flowable, spray-dried, particulate formulations of inorganic pigments prepared using a selection of formulants that do not substantially effect primary ettringite formation. Quantities of the formulations may conveniently be dispensed into a slurry of cement and water by gravimetric or volumetric means.

Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

Disclosed is a composition having a substrate comprising metal oxide particles. The substrate has a coating thereon that includes an organic dispersant present in a amount that renders the substrate self-dispersible. Also disclosed is a composition, such as a cosmetic composition, that includes that self-dispersible coated substrate, and a process that includes coating a particulate metal oxide with an organic dispersant to render the metal oxide self dispersible.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing chromium(III) oxide by reaction of alkali metal chromate with gaseous ammonia, subsequent hydrolysis, isolation of the hydrolysis product and calcination.

An anionic polymeric dispersant and a composition comprising inorganic particulate material and an anionic polymeric dispersant. A method of grinding a composition comprising inorganic particulate material and an anionic polymeric dispersant and a use of anionic polymeric dispersant to maintain the viscosity of a composition comprising inorganic particulate material.

Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

A solid composite material (16) combining: an inorganic pigment (10) in the form of discrete particles each comprising a colored core and a coating adapted to allow light to pass through; and a matrix (12) based on metalloid or metal oxide, said matrix being adapted to allow light to pass through.

Process for preparing chromium(III) oxide, which comprises the steps: a) reaction of sodium monochromate with gaseous ammonia, in particular at a temperature of from 200 to 800 C., b) hydrolysis of the reaction product obtained in step a) with the pH of the water for the hydrolysis being reduced before the hydrolysis or that of the alkaline mother liquor being reduced during or after the hydrolysis, to a value of from 4 to 11, preferably from 5 to 10, by means of an acid, c) isolation of the hydrolysis product which has precipitated in step b), preferably at a pH of from 4 to 11, in particular from 5 to 10, and optionally washing and optionally drying and d) calcination of the hydrolysis product obtained in step c) at a temperature of from 700 to 1400 C., in particular from 800 to 1300 C.