ECKART is marking its 150th anniversary in 2026, tracing its development from a goldbeating workshop founded in Fürth, Germany, in 1876 to a manufacturer of pigments and printing inks serving customers worldwide.
The company, now based in Hartenstein and part of ALTANA AG, produces metallic and pearlescent pigments used in coatings, plastics, printing inks, cosmetics and technical applications. Its range also includes metal powders for 3D printing. Printing inks provide a link between ECKART’s pigment business and the packaging industry. The company supplies pigments in powder, paste and pellet form, alongside concentrates, dispersions and printing inks, according to its corporate profile. Its products are used across the printing and coatings industries, as well as in plastics and other sectors.
ECKART said its business has changed as technologies and markets have developed. Beginning with metallic pigments, it expanded into pearlescent pigments and a wider range of industrial applications. The company is now present in more than 70 countries, according to the profile accompanying its anniversary announcement.
“ECKART has repeatedly reinvented itself without losing sight of its roots,” said Andreas Gipp, managing director of ECKART Europe. “Our success has always been based on our ability to adapt, drive innovation and respond to new challenges. These qualities will continue to guide us in the future.”
ECKART said it is investing in resource efficient production, water based technologies and the development of metallic and pearlescent pigments. It linked those areas of work to changing requirements among its customers and the industries they serve. The company also plans to continue further developing material technologies and metal powders for 3D printing in the years ahead. Its anniversary announcement was issued from Hartenstein on 24 September 2026.