Pigment, ink, photochromic paint
OliKrom expertise
OliKrom with its team of photochemists has a recognized expertise in the field of photochromic materials. Our team masters the most advanced concepts in materials science and thermodynamics to design and produce various families of photochromic pigments. Depending on the industrial specifications, we select organic photochromic pigments (such as stilbenes, camphoras, o-nitrobenzyls, osazones, semicarbazones, etc.), hybrid or inorganic derivatives (such as metal oxides, alkaline earth compounds, metal halides). Each of these families has advantages and disadvantages.
We know for example that the pitfalls frequently encountered are the adjustment of the excitation wavelengths, the control of the photocommutation speed, the influence of the temperature on the erasing processes. In general, a photochromic material is characterized by a thermodynamically stable form A which is transformed by irradiation into a less stable form B, having a different absorbance spectrum. This form can be reconverted into form A, by thermal and/or photochemical means. Usually, for the majority of the photochromic compounds, the stable form is colorless or pale yellow, and it colors during irradiation (positive photochromism). Some photochromic compounds show a colored A form and a colorless B form (negative photochromism), or reveal a reversible change between different colors.
The OliKrom team is able to control the photochromic property by simple chemical modification to become reversible or irreversible “on demand”, to adjust the speed of photocommutation, the threshold of color change, to modulate the optical response and to obtain the color change in the ultraviolet, visible and/or infrared.
Reversible Photochromism
Color change at a defined light intensity, returning to the original color when the light intensity returns to its initial level. Possibility of adjusting the color, the excitation wavelength, the photocommutation speed and reversibility.
Irreversible Photochromism
Definitive color change at a defined light intensity threshold. Possibility to adapt on demand the threshold, the excitation wavelength (ultraviolet, visible, infrared), the optical inscription speed, the color.
Industrial production of photochromic materials
Our added value
Based on our experience, each industrial application is unique. We know that the pigment/matrix couple is crucial to control the photochromism and its stability. The modification of the ionic bath affects the relative position of the excited states and thus the properties (wavelengths, colors, switching speed, process fatigability)
In order to ensure industrial production with total control of quality and reproducibility, we deliver only the final formulation in the form of: photochromic inks (UV, solvent) adapted to printing techniques (screen printing, pad printing, etc.) and/or photochromic paints (acrylic, polyurethane, etc.).
OliKrom accompanies each request “from need to product” by involving our experts from the Materials research and development unit, the process department and the production plant:
The Materials Department,
scientific excellence
This research and development unit elaborates the photochromic pigment adapted to your specifications: excitation wavelength and optical power, reversible/irreversible character, tilting speed, choice of colors, etc.
The Process Department,
the expertise of the formulation
This process unit is in charge of integrating the pigment into the desired matrix (ink, paint, etc.) while preserving the targeted photochromic property according to your technical, economic and regulatory constraints.
Industrial production,
from the kilogram to the ton
This unit ensures the industrial production of photochromic inks and paints in compliance with OliKrom Inside quality requirements (ISO 9001 certification) and the security of supplies and compliance with deadlines
Do you have a project? Need to produce a photochromic ink or a photochromic paint?
Send us a message, our experts will get back to you within 24 hours!
OliKrom is a manufacturer of industrial photochromic pigments. We produce photochromic inks, paints, varnishes and resins that change color with light. Our photochromic coatings are sensitive to UV, visible and infrared light. For example, we produce UV-sensitive paints that change color reversibly or irreversibly. The applications of photochromism are numerous in the industrial field: for example the personalization and the tattooing of parts by laser for irreversible photochromic coatings and varnishes.