
After working more than a decade around industrial pigments, I’ve learned that with products like lithopone, the price story is never as straightforward as it looks on paper. Lithopone 28~30%, that familiar blend of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide—sort of the unsung hero next to titanium dioxide—has been experiencing steadily shifting market quotes thanks to raw material swings and demand fluctuations.
Frankly, the 28~30% range signals a sweet spot in the pigment mix: you get decent hiding power and tint strength without the premium pricetag of pure TiO2. Engineers and formulators who keep an eye on cost efficiency tend to favor this grade, especially in paints, plastics, and coatings. Oddly enough, its price tends to react both to metal sulfide prices and specialty chemical availability, making it a bit of a market barometer in pigment circles.
| Specification | Typical Range/Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Barium Sulfate Content | 70–72% | Impacts brightness and bulk |
| Zinc Sulfide Content (ZnS) | 28–30% | Contributes to opacity and covering power |
| Tinting Strength | ~60% vs TiO2 | Good for mid-grade formulations |
| Brightness (ISO) | >90% | Suitable for paints and inks |
| Bulk Density | 0.7–0.9 g/cm³ | Affects handling and mixing |
| Supplier | Typical Price (USD/MT) | Key Strengths | Delivery Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier A | $1,200–$1,350 | Consistent quality and local warehousing | 1–2 weeks |
| Supplier B | $1,150–$1,300 | Bulk order discounts, standard specs | 3–4 weeks |
| Supplier C | $1,300–$1,400 | Specialty coatings grade available | 2–3 weeks |
One fun thing I’ve noticed over the years is how different buyers prioritize these quotes. Some are laser-focused on price, of course — trying to hit budget without sacrificing too much on performance. Others lean heavily into supplier reliability or product consistency, because at the end of the day, downtime or batch contamination costs more than a slight premium.
If you’re in the market for lithopone 28~30%, it might be worth checking the details beyond the numbers. For example, the way the zinc sulfide is precipitated and filtered can affect pigment quality significantly, and that’s not obvious unless you see samples or lab reports.
Back in 2022, one plastics manufacturer I worked with switched from a cheaper supplier to a slightly pricier one with better quality control. The result? Their injection molding runs had fewer rejects and a more uniform finish. It’s the kind of outcome that doesn’t always show up immediately in “quotes,” but really counts over time.
Anyway, the lithopone market never stays still. Keep an eye on metal sulfide prices and global logistics because they’ve got a curious-way of kicking the pricing ladder around. And hey, if you want a fairly stable but cost-effective alternative to straight TiO2, the 28~30% lithopone grades are still very much the go-to.
Feel free to explore more detailed specs or quotes here. Trust me — once you start comparing, you realize how much subtlety goes into something that looks simple on paper.
References & thoughts: