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Pigments & Colorants

Indigo

CAS: 482-89-3

Overview

Indigo (CAS 482-89-3 ), also recognized commercially as FD&C Blue No. 2 and sold under the E132 designation as Indigo Carmine, is one of the oldest and most established blue colorants in industrial use.

It delivers a deep, characteristic blue hue across textile, food-contact, and printing applications where consistent color performance and regulatory acceptance are required for global distribution and manufacturing.

In textile manufacturing, indigo is the defining colorant for denim production, applied through vat dyeing processes to achieve the characteristic fading profile demanded by apparel brands and high-end fashion retailers.

Leather and paper producers use it to achieve uniform blue tones in both decorative and functional grades of finished material. In printing and packaging, it functions as a base pigment in ink formulations.

Deep blue shades and batch-to-batch consistency are critical to brand color standards. The water-soluble sulfonated form, Indigo Carmine, is used as a food and pharmaceutical colorant in tablets and capsules.

These ingestible products are manufactured under FD&C and E132 approvals to ensure safety. Indigo is available as a powder and in pre-reduced liquid vat form for direct textile processing and industrial dyeing.

Food and pharmaceutical grades conforming to FD&C, E132, and USP specifications are supplied as fine powder. Technical-grade material is offered for industrial ink and pigment applications across various sectors.

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Physical Properties

Melting Point390 °C (decomp)
Boiling Point405.51°C (rough estimate)
Density1.35 g/cm³
Flash Point>220°C
Appearancedark violet powder
ColorDark blue to violet
FormPowder
Water Solubility<0.1 g/100 mL
Vapor Pressure0Pa at 100℃
Refractive Index1.5800 (estimate)
Log P2.7 at 23℃

Safety & Handling

Warning GHS08 Hazard Statements H373 May causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure Precautionary Statements P260 Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. P319 Get medical advice/attention if you feel unwell. P501 Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local regulations.

Trade & Regulatory

HS Code32041510
UN Number3264
ADR Class8
Packing GroupIII
Storage Class11 - Combustible Solids
WGK (Germany)1

Other Names

FD&C blue no 2 | E132 Indigo Carmine | indigo dye | Indigotin | Indigo Blue | Vat blue 1 | Cystoceva | Diindogen

Related Products

Chemical Properties

CAS Number
482-89-3
EC Number
207-586-9
Mol. Weight
262.26
HS Code
32041510

Industries

Documentation