Paint, Resin & Polymer Compounding worked example

Pigment Loading Cost at 13% pigment loading: a worked example

Suppose pigment loading falls to 13%. This page works the full calculation at that level so you can see exactly which result moves and by how much. Estimate the pigment cost in a batch from batch weight, pigment price, pigment loading percentage, and fixed grind and additive cost.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Batch weight: 8,000 lb (held at the documented default)
  • Pigment price: 2.4 $ / lb (held at the documented default)
  • Pigment loading: 13 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 18)
  • Fixed grind and additive cost: 150 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Pigment material cost = batch weight * pigment price * pigment loading.
  • Total pigment cost works out to 2,646 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Pigment cost per pound of batch works out to 0.33 $ / lb at these inputs.
  • Pigment material cost works out to 2,496 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed grind and additive cost works out to 150 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where pigment loading sits at 18% and the headline result is 3,606 $, this scenario comes in 26.62% below the baseline at 2,646 $.
  • It computes the total pigment cost of a batch by multiplying batch weight, pigment price, and loading percentage, then adding your fixed grind and additive cost. When the numbers land here, the stressed input is the lever to work; the walkthrough above shows exactly how much each output recovers as it climbs back toward the baseline.

Results at a glance

  • Total pigment cost: 2,646 $ (headline result)
  • Pigment cost per pound of batch: 0.33 $ / lb
  • Pigment material cost: 2,496 $
  • Fixed grind and additive cost: 150 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Pigment Loading Cost calculator, set pigment loading to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.