Phthalocyanine Green Pigments: Structure, Properties & Industrial Application

alt="Pigment Green used in Plastic Paint Inks Coatings"

Introduction to Phthalocyanine Green


In the world of pigments, few stand out as much as Phthalocyanine Green. Known widely as phthalo green pigment, this synthetic organic pigment has carved a niche for itself in various industries due to its brilliant color, exceptional durability, and chemical stability. It is widely recognized under three major commercial names: Pigment Green 7 (PG7), Pigment Green 36 (PG36), and Pigment Green 58 (PG58). The unique qualities of this pigment family make it a go-to choice for applications that demand strong color retention, weather resistance, and thermal stability.
Derived from copper phthalocyanine, Phthalocyanine Green is often used when a vivid bluish-green tone is desired. Its molecular structure provides excellent fastness properties, ensuring the pigment retains its brilliance and performance even under challenging environmental conditions. With its growing importance in plastics, coatings, inks, textiles, and LCD display technologies, this pigment continues to offer manufacturers a powerful tool for innovation.

Types of Phthalocyanine Green Pigments

Pigment Green 7 (PG7)
Pigment Green 7 is the most common and commercially available form of phthalocyanine green pigment. It is a chlorinated copper phthalocyanine complex, offering a strong bluish-green shade with high opacity. PG7 is valued for its outstanding heat resistance, chemical stability, and excellent lightfastness, making it ideal for use in plastic masterbatches, paints, and printing inks. It is known to perform well in a wide range of polymers, including PVC, HDPE, and polypropylene, without causing migration or bleeding.

Pigment Green 36 (PG36)
Pigment Green 36 is a modified version of PG7, where bromine atoms are added alongside chlorine atoms in the molecular structure. This halogenated variant offers improved transparency and a greener tone than PG7. PG36 provides superior weather and lightfastness, which makes it ideal for applications requiring prolonged outdoor exposure. It is widely used in automotive coatings, industrial finishes, and high-end printing inks, where performance under UV radiation and environmental stress is crucial.

Pigment Green 58 (PG58)
Pigment Green 58 is a lesser-known but increasingly important member of the phthalocyanine green family. Structurally derived from copper phthalocyanine and modified with different halogens or groups to tune specific properties, PG58 offers a yellowish-green shade with excellent transparency, thermal stability, and optical clarity.
This pigment is particularly suited for high-tech applications, such as in LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TV color filters, where precise color reproduction, high brightness, and chemical inertness are required. Its exceptional chromatic purity and dispersibility make it an ideal component in advanced display technologies, ensuring accurate green wavelength representation without signal distortion.

Key Properties of Phthalocyanine Green

High Tinting Strength
Small amounts of pigment deliver intense, vibrant coloration, ideal for formulations requiring high visual impact.

Excellent Lightfastness
Retains color integrity even under extended UV and sunlight exposure.

Superior Thermal Stability
Withstands high processing temperatures, especially PG7 and PG58 in plastic and polymer applications.

Outstanding Chemical Resistance
Inert to acids, alkalis, and solvents, ensuring durability across different formulations.

Low Migration and High Safety
Non-toxic and stable, phthalocyanine greens are safe for food-contact applications, toys, and medical packaging.

Applications Across Industries

Plastics
Phthalocyanine green pigments (especially PG7 and PG36) are widely used in injection molding, extrusion, and masterbatches for coloring polyolefins, PVC, and other engineering plastics. Their high heat resistance and non-migratory behavior make them suitable for food-grade packaging, toys, and household goods.

Paints and Coatings
PG7 and PG36 are staples in decorative paints, marine coatings, automotive topcoats, and powder coatings. PG36’s enhanced transparency and greener hue lend depth and gloss in metallic automotive finishes, while both pigments offer excellent weather resistance and durability for outdoor environments.

Inks
Used in flexographic, gravure, screen, and digital inks, phthalocyanine green pigments offer excellent dispersion, chemical resistance, and intense color strength. They perform exceptionally on a variety of substrates, from paper and board to flexible packaging films.

Rubber and Textiles
In rubber compounding, PG7 provides long-lasting, non-fading color for hoses, footwear, seals, and gaskets. In textiles, phthalocyanine green is used in pigment printing, nonwovens, and fiber coatings for synthetic fabrics due to its heat and light stability.

Electronics and LCD Displays
Pigment Green 58 (PG58) is increasingly used in LCD TV panels and color filter arrays for display screens, where clarity, purity of tone, and chemical compatibility are critical. Its application ensures vibrant green wavelengths and supports long-term display performance without degradation under UV or heat exposure.

Why Choose Phthalocyanine Green?

Phthalocyanine green pigments, particularly PG7, PG36, and PG58, are a trusted solution for manufacturers seeking vibrant aesthetics, technical performance, and regulatory compliance. With their non-toxic composition, they align with modern sustainability and environmental goals.
Their robust performance across plastics, coatings, inks, electronics, and textiles makes them a versatile and future-forward pigment family. Choosing phthalocyanine green ensures your formulations are both visually striking and functionally superior.

Conclusion

With their blend of vivid color, chemical resilience, and environmental safety, Phthalocyanine Green pigments continue to dominate the global pigment landscape. Whether you’re seeking thermal stability in plastics, brilliance in coatings, or optical clarity in LCD displays, PG7, PG36, and PG58 deliver exceptional value.


At Tinge Blends, we offer industry-grade PG7 and PG36 pigment solutions tailored for specific performance needs. PG58 is something which we would like to work on in the coming future for the LCD display applications. Our products are tested for purity, dispersion, and batch consistency, ensuring your end application stands out visually and functionally.

Explore the brilliance of industry-grade PG7 and PG36 pigment solutions with Tinge Blends and elevate your products to the next level.

Ask for a Free Quote