As AMI Plastics World Expos 2026 approaches, we’re speaking with exhibitors about the innovations, challenges and opportunities shaping the plastics industry.

In this exhibitor spotlight, Kushi Elliott from Ishihara Corporation U.S.A. discusses advances in functional pigments, including IR-reflective black and next-generation titanium dioxide technologies, as well as how performance, sustainability and design could shape the future of plastics.

Company: Ishihara Corporation U.S.A. Booth: C2218

What makes your company stand out? What sets you apart from the competition, and why should visitors make sure to visit your stand?

At Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha(ISK), which is the parent company of Ishihara Corporation USA and manufacturer of all products handles by our company, our strength lies in challenging conventional thinking and turning innovative ideas into practical solutions through advanced materials technology.

One example is our IR-reflective black pigment, TIPAQUE BLACK™, which we will showcase at Compounding Expo. Unlike conventional black pigments that absorb infrared radiation and cause plastic parts to heat up under sunlight, TIPAQUE BLACK™ maintains a neutral black appearance while reflecting near-infrared energy to help keep surfaces cooler, support user comfort, and reduce risks linked to heat accumulation, such as warpage, dimensional changes, deformation, and thermal stress cracking.

For engineering plastics, we are introducing next-generation titanium dioxide pigments that combine high whiteness, excellent dispersibility, and outstanding heat resistance. Through advanced surface treatment technologies, PC-3 and PFC317 supports demanding applications, such as lighting reflectors where thinner wall designs, higher reflectance, and more efficient resource utilization are increasingly important.

Visitors to our booth will have the opportunity to experience a live demonstration and see firsthand how TIPAQUE BLACK™ performs compared with conventional black pigments. If you're developing dark-colored plastic products for outdoor use, this is a technology you won't want to miss.

What’s the next big thing you’re working on? Can you give us a sneak peek into any new technologies, innovations, or breakthroughs you're bringing to the market?

We are currently developing a new generation of design focused pigments that go beyond the capabilities of conventional colorants. One example is a unique plate-like titanium oxide effect pigment designed to create a silk-like appearance that creates dimensional highlight-and-shadow contrast without sacrificing color saturation. Unlike metallic or pearlescent pigments, this new effect pigment delivers depth and brilliance without glitter, enabling premium white and colored designs with a smooth, elegant finish.

We are also working on a structural black pigment with an urchin-like proprietary microstructure that absorbs over 99% of visible light to create an exceptionally deep matte appearance while offering unique infrared characteristics. By combining ultra-low visible reflectance, reduced glare and stray light, this newly developed black pigment opens new possibilities in optical systems, sensor technologies, thermal management, and striking visual design.

Our goal is to push the boundaries of what pigments can achieve and become a trusted innovation partner that helps customers create products with greater differentiation, functionality, and visual impact.

What’s the biggest challenge in the industry right now – and how are you tackling it? Whether it's sustainability, supply chain issues, or something else, we’d love to hear your take!

We believe the plastics industry is under increasing pressure to develop materials and products with lower environmental impact while still meeting performance and aesthetic expectations.

Designing plastic formulations with heat-management properties is one way to support more efficient and performance-conscious product development. Dark-colored plastics are widely used for their appearance and design flexibility, but conventional black pigments can absorb infrared energy and drive unnecessary heat buildup under sunlight. By helping limit surface temperature rise, heat-management pigment technology can support longer-lasting product designs, reduce risks such as warpage, dimensional change, deformation, and thermal stress cracking, and contribute to lower environmental impact by helping materials maintain performance over time.

At the same time, global efforts around EPR laws, recycled-content mandates, and the UN-led plastics treaty are accelerating the shift toward a more circular plastics economy. Conventional black pigments can be difficult to detect by LiDAR and other NIR-based technologies, but SG-101’s near-infrared reflective design may help improve black plastic detectability, support recycling sortation, and contribute to the safety of autonomous driving systems that rely on LiDAR-based object detection.

Fast forward 10 years - how do you see the industry evolving? What major trends do you think will reshape the sector, and how should businesses prepare?

Over the next decade, we believe the plastics industry will evolve in three major directions.

First, market expectations will expand beyond color alone. Future materials will be expected to provide both visual appeal and added functionality, while also simplifying processing and formulation for manufacturers.

Second, sustainability will become even more important. Advances in recycling technologies will play a key role in shaping the future of the industry. As the transition toward a circular economy accelerates, maintaining product quality and performance in recycled materials will become a critical challenge. Pigment technologies that support these objectives will be essential.

Third, materials will become increasingly multifunctional. Manufacturers will continue seeking solutions that combine durability, design flexibility, and enhanced performance. We see growing opportunities for functional pigments that help improve thermal management while enabling dark-colored plastic products for outdoor applications.

We believe the most successful solutions will integrate all three elements—performance, sustainability, and ease of use. At ISK, we are actively investing in innovations that support recyclability, improve formulation efficiency, and help customers meet the evolving demands of the plastics industry.

What excites you most about this year’s expo? Are you launching something new, speaking at a session, or just looking forward to networking with industry leaders?

We are excited to present our functional pigments in person for the first time at Compounding Expo.

We look forward to connecting with industry professionals, learning more about the challenges they are facing, and having meaningful discussions about where the market is headed.

We also look forward to showing visitors our live demonstration and discussing how functional pigments can support real-world formulation needs.

Meet Ishihara Corporation U.S.A. at AMI Plastics World Expos 2026

Meet Ishihara Corporation U.S.A. at Booth C2218 at AMI Plastics World Expos and discover its latest functional pigment technologies for plastics.

Visit Kushi Elliott and the team to see TIPAQUE BLACK™ demonstrated in person and learn more about innovations in IR-reflective black pigments, titanium dioxide and heat-management technologies. Registration is free.

Register free to attend