Both designers in various fields and advertising and communication creatives are very clear that the consumer's first impression of any marketable product will be visual. Therefore, the chromatic range of the envelope or the object itself used will be decisive.

In addition to the importance of the choice of color itself, experts in industrial design, fashion or communication agree that shades are subject to current trends. Changes in values and priorities of the final consumer cause specific color choices.

But is there really a color trend during a season? Yes indeed, but their choice is not free. Since 1960, there have been associations of multidisciplinary specialists who meet to decide months in advance what color/colors will be trending for the following seasons. Traditionally, the most reputable associations responsible for the choice were: the International Color Authority and Intercolor.

But starting in 2000, Pantone Color Institute was added, a company that created a system that recreates numerous different shades in an exact way, also determining its own color of the year. To predict each new color trend, we evaluate the world political and economic situation, the mood of the people, the new values and not only art, fashion and avant-garde graphic designs, although there are cultural nuances, we are talking about global trends.

The ultimate consequence of these reflections is reflected in a rich chromatic palette. For example, for the Pantone association, “the palette of colors for autumn/winter 2020/2021 offers a rich narrative that highlights our desire for versatile and timeless colors. We have stripped our palette of any excess, in line with the mentality that 'less is more', an idea that is becoming increasingly important among consumers who prioritize value and functionality,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color.

The color chosen by Pantone is the Sky Blue (this year's Classic Blue) in all its variants, from the blue of dawn when the sun rises, going through all its phases until nightfall with its darkest tones. In addition to the verdant (in all their shades, but especially the brightest), will also be a trend in terms of colors for fashion, design and decoration in 2021, shades related to nature and the environment. But they also predict a year in which color trends will move towards calm and natural tones which, as they themselves state, “hint at the influence of raw dyes and recycling”.

Are these trends also reflected in the world of thermoplastics? According to the publication of an entity, such as Kunststoffe, the conclusion is that yes, after publishing an extensive article about it, it concludes that: the manufacturers of pigments and dyes agree that the trend of using colors associated with nature, such as blue and green, will continue to be in demand due to a growing environmental awareness. On the other hand, the manufacturers who collaborated with this publication also reflected on the current convulsive situation, and argued that, in a crisis situation, popular colors are those that represent reliability and solidity, while radiating warmth, kindness and humanity. “In 2021, warm orange and yellow will feature prominently. Global problems will result in a range of colors that represents stability and looks authentic, but also improves the atmosphere,” predicted Judith van Vliet, senior color designer at Clariant ColorWorks EMEA.

In addition to color trends, a consumer with greater awareness of issues related to sustainability, functionality and durability of products, together with a troubled global situation, is responding to a demand for durable products, in addition to transmitting quality. To achieve this effect, during the future season we will see colors with metallic glitters, such as warm colors copper or silver tones. On the other hand, in the case of thermoplastics, in order to guarantee their durability for a longer time, it is necessary to use pigments with certain properties. The stability of the dyes used then takes on a greater role, in order to maintain physical and functional properties longer, pigments and dyes with high resistance to light and weather are required.