Indigo is an ancient dye, sold as a striking and bold blue crystalline powder. It has been used in many civilizations and was popular in Mayan, Egyptian, Japanese and Indian cultures. Its common use is in creating the popular Shibori and tie dye fabrics as well as denim.
Indigo dye is an organic compound with a distinctive blue color (see indigo). Historically, indigo was a natural dye extracted from the leaves of certain plants, and this process was important economically because blue dyes were once rare. A large percentage of indigo dye produced today, several thousand tonnes each year, is synthetic. It is the blue often associated with denim cloth and blue jeans.
Indigo is a type of blue dye that is generally used for coloring of cotton yarn that is used for production of denim cloth for blue jeans. Indigo is also used for dyeing wool and silk. Indigo was a natural dye which was extracted from plants but now it is synthetic. Indigo dye is a natural dye that is extracted from plants and animals. Though the dye was and is still produced organically, most of the indigo dye available in the market today is mass produced through chemical processes to satisfy increased demand for blue dye.
Increase in demand for dye intermediates in textile and extensive use of dye intermediates in printing inks are some factors driving the dye intermediates market. This is prompting companies to increase production of dye intermediates. Additionally, easy availability of raw materials is anticipated to boost the demand for dye intermediates in the near future.
The global dye intermediates market is witnessing technological advancements. Companies are constantly striving to develop new and better ways to manufacture dye intermediates. Development of new manufacturing processes of dye intermediates and applications is estimated to propel the dye intermediates market. However, volatility in prices of raw material is projected to inhibit the market.
Based on geography, the dye intermediates market can be segregated into North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is anticipated to constitute a key share of the market during the forecast period. The dye intermediates market in Asia Pacific is estimated to expand a considerable pace owing to the increase in demand for dye intermediates in the paints and printing inks. Middle East & Africa is likely to be an attractive region for the dye intermediates market during the forecast period due to the rise in demand for these in the textile industry in the region.
