ICI Paints introduces golden kiwi yellow as 'Colour Futures 2006'

Ahmedabad, Mar 18 (UNI) With the launch of ''Dulux Colour Futures 2006'' range of shades, based on annual forecast of international colour trends in paints, ICI India Ltd proposes to increase its market share in the country from 10-12 per cent to 18-20 per cent.

Addressing a news conference here today, company's general manager (paints division) Jaideep Mahajan said that ICI has added 49 new hues in its latest fan-book containing total 2016 shades of colour.

He said 'Colour Futures' is a unique concept of forecasting trend, based on research and development by an international team, comprising experts from different regions of the world.

For 2006, it is 'golden kiwi yellow', taking a cue from the inside colour of kiwi fruit, grown in South Africa and other parts of the world. Last year, it was 'spring orange', to add freshness to plain orange.

Mr Mahajan said that UK-based ICI has introduced the concept only in India, except its own country, looking to the value it attaches to the Indian paint market growing at 10-20 per cent per year.

Asserting that 'Colour Futures' indeed affects the sales, he said, ICI targets a growth of 18-20 per cent during 2006.

ICI India posted a net profit of Rs 32 crores from sales of Rs 567 crore in 2004-05. In India, it has three plants at Mumbai, Hyderabad and Mohali.

Worldwide, the global paints company has 60 manufacturing units in 25 countries with its products sold in 125 countries under the brand of 'Dulux'.

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