The pigment component in any paint formulation can either enhance or degrade the overall performance of a protective coating. In high-performance coatings primarily for the automotive, industrial and coil coatings markets, durability is of paramount importance. Specifiers are looking for pigment suppliers that can correlate the relationship between pigment functionality and performance, such that the end result guarantees enhanced durability in the finished coating. This article discusses the role of pigments in ensuring the durability of high-performance coatings. High performance is associated with either inorganic pigments that offer relatively low color strength, but coupled with excellent opacity and durability; or with higher cost organic pigments which have higher color strength and poorer opacity. Formulators can have a difficult choice to make between color, tinctorial strength, cost and long-term performance. Whatever the case, pigment selection is without doubt application specific.