Choosing the Right Pigment Dispersion Equipment

Contact direct with the machine factories who exporting machines

Table of Contents

In the world of pigment pastes and coatings, achieving proper pigment dispersion is essential for color strength, stability, and performance. The selection of dispersion equipment plays a critical role in determining the final quality of the product. This article introduces the most commonly used machines in pigment dispersion—High-Speed Dispersers, Bead Mills, Three-Roll Mills—along with some advanced options like High-Shear Emulsifiers, Planetary Mixers, and Vacuum Dual-Shaft Mixers.

1.High-Speed Disperser

A high-speed disperser uses a rapidly rotating disc (typically 1000–3000 rpm) to generate strong shear forces and turbulence. This helps to wet and initially break down pigment agglomerates into the liquid system.

  • Simple operation, easy color changeover

  • Ideal for pre-dispersion and initial mixing

  • Low investment and easy maintenance

  • Often used as the first step in multi-stage dispersion

  • Limited dispersion efficiency for fine grinding

  • Less effective for high-viscosity systems or hard pigment clusters

Pre-dispersion in low to medium viscosity systems, such as water-based paints and general pigment pastes.

https://www.farfly.com/

Farfly Energy Technology Co., Ltd. is a Chinese company founded in 2003, specializing in chemical machinery and equipment manufacturing. They provide products such as mixers, dispersers, emulsifiers, and reactors, catering to industries like coating, paint, ink, agrochemical, and more. Farfly also offers integrated services, including design, installation, and system optimization. Their products are sold in over 80 countries, with a focus on high-quality, efficient, and stable solutions.

Main Products

High Speed Disperser

Sand Mill

Emulsifier

2. Bead Mill (Ball Mill)

Bead mills grind pigments using small grinding beads (e.g., zirconia) in a sealed chamber. The media collides with pigment particles under high-speed agitation to achieve fine dispersion..

  • Excellent fine grinding capability (even nano-level)

  • Suitable for continuous production

  • Adjustable parameters for flexibility

  • Cleaning and color change can be difficult

  • Higher energy consumption

  • Equipment is more costly

Medium to high-viscosity systems with fine particle requirements, such as high-end pigment pastes, inks, and specialty coatings.

Bead mill supplier :SHANGHAI ELE MECHANICAL

Shanghai ELE Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd., established in 1996, is a global processing and service center for ELE® products. With integrated Swiss finishing technology and a worldwide parts procurement system, ELE® offers high-quality products and professional technical support globally. Their core products include sand mills, emulsification equipment, wet grinding machinery, mixing equipment, dry powder mixers, and process integration for chemical industries, including complete plant solutions and custom production lines.

Main Products

Bead Mill

High Speed Disperser

Lab Machine

3. Three Roll Mill

Three horizontal rollers rotate in opposite directions. The pigment slurry is fed between the rollers, where it is subjected to high shear and compression, resulting in ultra-fine dispersion.

  • High precision dispersion

  • Ideal for high-viscosity and solvent-based systems

  • Excellent for final dispersion stages

  • Lower throughput

  • Requires skilled operation

  • Color change and cleaning are cumbersome

Final dispersion of high-performance pigment pastes, inks, and specialty materials with tight particle size distribution.

Three roll mill supplier :CHANGZHOU ZILI INTELLIGENT EQUIPMEN

Changzhou Zili Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. is a leading manufacturer specializing in machinery for industries like inks, coatings, cosmetics, and more. With a history rooted in Wujin Mining Machinery Factory, Zili produces high-quality equipment including three roll mills, ball mills, and nano sand mills. Serving global markets, Zili is recognized for innovation, quality, and social responsibility, with certifications such as ISO9001:2015 and CE.

Main Products

Three Roll Mill

Ball Mill

Nano Sand Mill

4.High Shear Emulsifier

Uses a rotor-stator mechanism to create intense shear and mixing, ideal for breaking down pigment clusters and emulsifying complex systems.

  • Efficient dispersion for challenging pigment systems

  • Handles wide viscosity range

  • Useful in emulsion and nano dispersion formulations

  • Higher energy consumption

  • Costly for basic applications

High-performance coatings, emulsions, and nanodispersions.

High shear emulsifier supplier :FLUKO EQUIPMENT SHANGHAI CO LTD

Fluko Equipment Co., Ltd. specializes in providing high-shear mixing, dispersing, emulsifying, and homogenizing solutions for various industries, including chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, and new materials. With over 20 years of experience, Fluko offers innovative mixing technologies and customized solutions, from laboratory to industrial scale. The company is recognized for its cutting-edge equipment and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Main Products

High Shear Mixer

Inline High Shear Dispersers

Multifunctional Electric Stirrer

5. Planetary Mixer

Equipped with dual or multi-blade agitators that rotate both around the vessel and on their own axes, creating planetary motion for strong kneading and mixing.

  • Excellent for high-viscosity and paste-like systems

  • Homogeneous mixing and dispersion

  • Vacuum versions can degas the mixture

  • Lower dispersion efficiency than bead mills

  • Batch-based operation

  • Difficult color change

Solvent-free pigment pastes, adhesives, high-viscosity inks.

Planetary Mixer Supplier:CO-NELE

CO-NELE is a leading Chinese manufacturer of industrial mixers, with over 26 years of experience in producing intensive mixers, planetary concrete mixers, and granulating equipment. The company holds over 100 patents and serves diverse industries including concrete, refractory, ceramics, and chemicals. Known for innovation and quality, CO-NELE delivers customized mixing solutions globally from its own factory.

Main Products

Intensive Mixer

Planetary Concrete Mixer

Granulating & Pelletizing Mixers

6.Dual-Shaft Mixer / Vacuum Mixer

Combines a low-speed anchor blade and a high-speed disperser within one vessel. This allows simultaneous scraping, folding, and high-speed dispersion. Vacuum function helps remove entrapped air.

  • Effective for both mixing and dispersion

  • Suitable for ultra-high viscosity systems

  • Vacuum ensures bubble-free output

  • Expensive and complex equipment

  • Color switching is time-consuming

High-viscosity, high-solid pigment pastes, conductive slurries, and UV-curable coatings.

Dual-Shaft Mixer Supplier:Ginhong

Ginhong is a leading China-based manufacturer specializing in industrial mixers and blenders. With over 16 years of experience, the company offers advanced mixing solutions tailored for industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and chemicals. Ginhong is renowned for its commitment to quality, customizable designs, and exceptional customer service, providing both standard and bespoke mixing equipment to clients worldwide

Main Products

Multi-Shaft Mixers

Vacuum Emulsifier Homogenizers

High Shear Mixers

Summarise

Equipment Dispersion Level Viscosity Range Cleaning Ease Ideal Use
High-Speed Disperser ★☆☆☆☆ Low–Medium ★★★★★ Pre-mixing, basic pigment dispersion
Bead Mill ★★★★☆ Medium–High ★★☆☆☆ Fine grinding, continuous production
Three-Roll Mill ★★★★★ High ★☆☆☆☆ Precision dispersion for inks/pastes
High Shear Emulsifier ★★★★☆ Medium–High ★★☆☆☆ Nano dispersion, emulsions
Planetary Mixer ★★★☆☆ High ★★☆☆☆ Paste-level mixing, adhesives
Vacuum Dual-Shaft Mixer ★★★★☆ Medium–Super High ★★☆☆☆ Thick pastes, degassed high-performance slurries

Tips

  1. If you are paint factory, you can try to contact above suppliers
  2. If you can not get right dispersion machines just contact with us
  3. If you do not want to dispersing pigment by yourself, you can use our pigment paste.

About Author and Factory

Export Manager of Bales Coatings

3 years for a chemical engineer in a paint factory since 1997

20 years for export business, Help cleints to find best suppliers

Bales Coatings Co., Ltd

Set up coating factory at 2012

We can offer you both water and solvent pigment paste.