DOME® Laser Marking Additives: Seamless Replacement for Merck Iriotec® 8000 Series Amid Supply Shortage, Unlocking Global Market Opportunities
September 15, 2025, Shenzhen – As Global Materials Group (GMG) finalizes the 665-million-euro acquisition of Merck’s Surface Solutions business, the global laser marking additives market has stepped into a critical “transition phase”. In a decision that disrupts downstream supply chains, Merck has officially confirmed the halt of supply for its flagship Iriotec® 8000 Series – a lineup including top-selling grades like Iriotec® 8208, 8850, 8825, 8817, and 8835 – across high-demand regions such as the Asia-Pacific and South America. This supply cutoff has pushed downstream industries into a state of urgency: manufacturers in plastics, animal ear tags, automotive cables, and cosmetic packaging now face an imminent risk of production halts due to material shortages.
Addressing this pressing market gap, DOME Materials (hereafter “DOME”) made a landmark announcement today: its full range of laser marking additives has achieved 100% seamless, plug-and-play replacement for Merck’s Iriotec® 8000 Series. To empower global partners in seizing this opportunity, DOME is simultaneously launching a worldwide channel partner recruitment drive, inviting distributors across the globe to collaborate and tap into this high-growth “replacement blue ocean” market.
Supply Shortage Window = Replacement Dividend Period: Unprecedented Demand Backed by Hard Data
The supply vacuum left by Merck’s exit is projected to reach its peak in Q4 2025, triggering explosive demand for high-performance laser marking additives across multiple high-value sectors. Concrete data underscores the scale of this opportunity:
- Animal Ear Tag Sector: Starting in 2026, the European Union will enforce a mandatory “one animal, one tag” regulation. According to industry forecasts, this single policy is expected to drive an annual increase in demand for laser marking masterbatches of at least 3,500 tons – a stable, policy-driven market segment with long-term growth certainty.
- Precision Component Sectors: High-end applications such as automotive cables, 5G RF connectors, and premium daily chemical bottles impose strict performance thresholds on laser marking: a minimum contrast rating of 8, and weather resistance that maintains stability in extreme conditions. These sectors not only have high entry barriers (due to rigorous performance requirements) but also offer profit margins that are 15-20% higher than general-purpose markets, making them a core target for high-performance laser marking additives.
With forward-looking strategic planning, DOME completed technical benchmarking against Merck’s products and scaled up production capacity two years ahead of schedule. Today, by opening its global agency network, DOME aims to help distributors transform the current “material shortage crisis” into a “new profit center” – enabling them to secure a first-mover advantage in the replacement market before competition intensifies.
DOME® vs. Merck Iriotec® 8000 Series: Data-Driven Superiority in Performance, Cost, and Supply
To provide unambiguous proof of its product advantages, DOME has released a detailed, side-by-side performance comparison between its DOME® Laser Marking Additive Series and Merck’s Iriotec® 8000 Series. The data reveals that DOME® not only matches Merck’s offerings but outperforms them in 7 out of 8 core indicators:
| Key Indicator | DOME® Laser Marking Additive Series | Merck Iriotec® 8000 Series | Performance Gap (DOME® Advantage) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser Source Compatibility | Fully compatible with 1064 nm, 532 nm, Fiber, and CO₂ lasers (covers 95% of global laser marking equipment) | Primarily designed for 1064 nm lasers (only 60% equipment coverage) | 35% broader equipment adaptability |
| Marking Contrast | ΔE ≥ 55 (Blackness > Optical Density 2.0; marks remain vivid after 500+ days) | ΔE 50-52 (fades noticeably after 300 days) | 6-10% higher contrast; 67% longer mark durability |
| Addition Amount | 0.2–0.5 wt% (average 0.35 wt%) | 0.3–0.8 wt% (average 0.55 wt%) | 36% lower material consumption; cuts per-ton cost by ~12% |
| Weather Resistance (QUV 2000 h) | ΔE ≤ 1.4 (color change barely visible to the naked eye) | ΔE ≤ 1.5 (visible color shift) | 10% better color stability in harsh environments |
| Dispersibility | Special silane coating; disperses to ≤5 μm in 45 minutes (reduces processing time by 50%) | Requires high-shear processing for ≥90 minutes | 50% faster dispersion; saves 0.5 kWh/ton in energy costs |
| Halogen/Heavy Metals | 100% halogen-free; compliant with RoHS 2.0 & REACH SVHC 248 items (no regulatory delays) | Contains 5-8 ppm trace antimony; needs 3+ additional compliance documents | Eliminates 100% of heavy metal-related regulatory risks |
| Supply Lead Time | Warehouses in APAC, Europe, Africa, North America; 3-7 days delivery | Original 8-12 weeks; now fully out of supply | 95% shorter lead time; ensures 100% production continuity |
| Price | 30–50% lower than Merck’s catalog price; + tiered rebates (up to 10% for high-volume orders) | — (no longer available) | 30-50% direct cost savings; up to 10% extra rebate |
Five Core Application Scenarios: Real-World Performance Validated by Hard Data
DOME® Laser Marking Additives have undergone rigorous testing in five key downstream scenarios, with quantifiable results proving their reliability and adaptability in real production environments:
- Animal Ear Tags (TPU Material): Adding 1% DOME® DM-GW0082S delivers high-definition QR code marking in just 2 seconds (using a 30W Fiber laser). Key results: 100% scanning rate (even after 500+ outdoor exposures), and zero cracking after a 72-hour thermal cycle test (-40°C to 105°C) – a critical requirement for agricultural use in extreme climates.
- Automotive Charging Pile Cables (PP/PA/PC/ABS/PE Material): With 0.4% DOME® DM-PB0047, cables meet ISO 6722 oil resistance standards and pass the “double 85” aging test (85°C, 85% humidity) for 300 hours. Marking speed hits 120 meters per minute – a 20% improvement over Merck Iriotec® 8835, which translates to an additional 2,400 meters of marked cable per 8-hour shift.
- Premium Cosmetic Pump Heads (POM Material): A mere 1.5% DOME® DM-GW0032S creates a smooth matte black mark that resists 100 alcohol wipes (using 75% ethanol) without fading. This meets the strict durability standards of L’Oréal and Estée Lauder, which require marks to withstand 80+ wipes – DOME® exceeds this by 25%.
- 5G RF Connectors (PPS Material): DOME’s low-dielectric variant has a dielectric constant of ≤2.9 (at 10 GHz), ensuring no interference with 5G high-frequency signals. After marking, the connectors still pass S-parameter testing with a return loss of ≤-15 dB – well above the industry’s -10 dB minimum requirement.
- Food-Grade PP Cup Lids: Fully compliant with EU 10/2011 and FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 food contact regulations. Laser marking produces zero dust shedding (tested via ASTM D6329-19, with particle count <1 particle/m³ /m³) – making it safe for traceability codes on baby bottle lids, where even minimal dust poses health risks.
Cooperation Model: Zero Threshold, High Rebates, End-to-End Support
DOME has designed a flexible, high-value cooperation framework to lower entry barriers and maximize partners’ profits. Whether you’re a regional distributor, masterbatch manufacturer, or trading company, there’s a tailored model with clear benefits:
| Partner Type | First Order Requirement | Annual Rebate | Market Support (with Quantifiable Value) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Exclusive Agent | 2 tons | 20–30% | Technical workshops (saves $5,000+/year in training costs) + joint K 2025 Exhibition (10,000+ potential client contacts) |
| Masterbatch/Modification Factory (OEM) | 500 kg | 10–15% | Free color matching (cuts $2,000+/batch in R&D costs) + laser parameter database (reduces setup time by 40%) |
| Trading Distributor | 200 kg | 5–10% | Custom sample kits (conversion rate 30% higher than generic samples) + technical manuals |
Limited-Time Incentive: All newly signed agents will enjoy a “90-day payment term + free global shipping” for their first order. This offer expires on December 31, 2025 – a unique chance to reduce upfront investment risks by 30% and accelerate time-to-market for DOME® products.
Act Now: Secure Your Share of the $XX Million Replacement Market
To help partners quickly validate DOME®’s performance and launch cooperation, DOME has prepared a comprehensive support package – available immediately upon request:
- Free benchmarking test kits (2 kg each of DOME® 0032, 0042, 0082S, 0031– covers 80% of common applications; value: $500+)
- Detailed laser parameter sheets (tailored for Fiber, UV lasers – reduces trial-and-error time by 60%)
- Full certification reports (RoHS, REACH, FDA, ISO 10993 – avoids $10,000+ in compliance testing costs)
Get in Touch Today to schedule a technical seminar or cost-analysis consultation:
- Email: sales@domematerials.com
- WhatsApp/WeChat: +86-137-9830-8944
- Official Website: www.domematerials.com
Merck’s withdrawal of the Iriotec® 8000 Series has created a once-in-a-decade opportunity in the global laser marking additives market – one projected to reach $XX million by 2026. By adding DOME® Laser Marking Additives to your product portfolio, you can turn “replacement demand” into your business’s most reliable growth driver, with projected revenue growth of 25-30% in 2025-2026. Don’t miss this window – act now to secure your position in this booming market!
