Opacity toolkit

Your guide to affordable opacity in sustainable paints and coatings

Talk to our experts
visual-featuring-closeup-white-concrete-facade-showcasing-its-clean-lines-geometric-shap

The key role of opacity in paints and coatings formulations

Opacity is crucial in paint formulations. It’s not just about achieving a uniform color on a surface; opacity also ensures that any underlying color is covered effectively. Opacity performance must be achieved without compromising cost, sustainability or regulatory compliance.

 

Omya’s opacity toolkit will help you achieve the right opacity for your formulation.

Opacity toolkit
Portrait of a young woman making repairing in apartment, standing with paint roller near ladder in bright room of her new home; Shutterstock ID 2202224669; purchase_order: CON; job: ; client: ; other:2202224669

Why opacity matters

Opacity determines how efficiently a coating hides the substrate. Fewer coats mean faster application, lower material usage, and more predictable results. Many factors influence the final hiding power, from pigment volume concentration to film thickness, additives, and mineral selection, all of which can be engineered and optimized.

The fundamentals of engineered opacity

High opacity depends on optimal light scattering. Here, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) remains the benchmark, but dispersion quality, particle spacing, and refractive index contrast all affect its performance. Specialty calcium carbonates help maintain ideal spacing, prevent agglomeration, and boost opacity at lower TiO₂ levels. 

TiO2_optimal_light_scattering_illustration

Optimized spacing for maximum hiding power

Finding the right PVC (Pigment Volume Concentration) is key: too low, and scattering drops; too high, and particles crowd each other. Near the critical PVC, mineral extenders create optimal spacing for strong dry hiding. Functional CaCO₃ grades support this balance, enhancing opacity while preserving film integrity and formulation stability.

A complete mineral package for every opacity need

Omya offers a full suite of functional minerals to engineer opacity:

  • UFGCC for high gloss and easy dispersion
  • PCC (Omyawhite) for optimal brightness
    and wet scrub resistance
  • MCC (Omyabrite) for TiO₂ extension
    in matte formulations
  • Kaolin for opacity and sheen balance

Each solution supports optimal cost/performance control. 

Enhance opacity with dispersion and rheology control

Dispersing agents prevent pigment flocculation, ensuring uniform particle distribution and consistent hiding power. Rheology modifiers stabilize film thickness, improve leveling, and minimize sagging. Together, they support higher opacity, smoother application, and long-term formulation stability. 

White_paint_dripping_from_roller_brush

Formulation intelligence - Powered by AI

Achieve reformulation efficiency and accelerate the development and commercialization of sustainable paints & coatings with Flexshuttle, our High Throughput Experimentation lab, which is fully automated, customizable and powered with AI formulation intelligence.

 

Contact us or watch our video to discover the modules which make up the Flexshuttle and its functionalities.

Watch our Flexshuttle video
Man working with the Flexshuttle

Make your coatings even more sustainable.

Learn how with the Omya Sustainability Toolkit.

Omya’s Sustainability Toolkit for Paints & Coatings
Hand holding green eco-friendly symbol

Download our brochure

Read more about Omya’s opacity toolkit for the paints and coatings market and its benefits.

Opacity toolkit

Technical support

Omya’s highly experienced technical services team supports customers in selecting the right mineral combinations to optimize TiO₂ usage and stabilize your formulation.

Get in touch

A trusted partner for global distribution  

Omya partners with leading manufacturers of specialty materials to offer a complete portfolio of pigments, binders, additives, as well as functional fillers to customers worldwide. Omya supports customers with technical, application, market and regulatory expertise.   

Read more
Omya’s global distribution services