Flemish firm supplies pigment for pink firefighting water
Radiant Color, a Flemish company, produces the pigment that colors firefighting water pink, used in forest fires.
July 29, 2026
1 min read
4 views
Source: vrt.be
Radiant Color, a company based in Flanders, Belgium, is the supplier of the pigment that gives firefighting water its distinctive pink color. This colored water is used by firefighters to combat forest fires, particularly in the United States.
The pink dye is added to water or fire retardants to make the drops visible from the air, allowing pilots to see where they have already sprayed and avoid overlapping or missing areas. The pigment is designed to be biodegradable and environmentally safe.
Radiant Color's product is used in Phos-Chek, a brand of fire retardant commonly deployed by agencies like the U.S. Forest Service. The company has been producing the pigment for several years and has seen increased demand due to more frequent and intense wildfire seasons.
β Frequently Asked Questions
Why is firefighting water sometimes pink?
The pink color comes from a biodegradable pigment added to water or fire retardants to make drops visible from aircraft, helping pilots coordinate aerial firefighting.
Who makes the pink pigment for firefighting water?
Radiant Color, a company based in Flanders, Belgium, supplies the pigment used in fire retardants like Phos-Chek.
Is the pink dye harmful to the environment?
The pigment is designed to be biodegradable and environmentally safe, though fire retardants themselves may have some ecological impact.
