DARMSTADT, Germany – Frost & Sullivan recognized Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a science and technology company, with the 2016 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Leadership. The award is based on Frost & Sullivan's recent analysis of the automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) pigments market. Frost & Sullivan recognized Merck KGaA's Meoxal^® and Xirallic^® NXT lines as redefining trends in the automotive pigments market by creating new colors and textures for automotive OEMs.

“Most automotive pigment manufacturers only offer effect pigments based on two major groups – pure pearlescent pigments or aluminum-based metal flakes. Merck KGaA, on the other hand, combines these two distinctive technologies to achieve unparalleled effects,” said Vinay Venkatesan, Senior Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Its Meoxal range of luminous metal effect pigments is the latest innovation in effect pigments, merging the advantages of both pigment groups: pearlescent and metallic effect. This has expanded the company’s color palette to offer distinctive colors and textures to the market.”

In its analysis, Frost & Sullivan underscores Merck KGaA’s efforts to consistently introduce innovative products in line with the significant demand for new colors and texture. This has led to proactive coordination between the company’s global and regional marketing teams as well as its R&D and technical service team.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality, gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.