Last U.S. Maker of Road Paint Yellow Pigment Faces Offshoring Pressure

Sun Chemical's Michigan facility supplies only 4% of U.S. demand, with the rest coming from foreign manufacturers.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Sun Chemical's facility near Muskegon, Michigan is the last remaining U.S. manufacturer of the yellow pigment used to mark America's roads, but it only supplies 4% of the total demand. The remaining 96% of the yellow pigment is imported from foreign manufacturers, raising concerns about the loss of these critical manufacturing jobs in rural America.

Why it matters

The decline of U.S. manufacturing jobs, especially in rural areas, has had a significant economic and social impact on local communities. The potential loss of the last domestic producer of road paint pigment is seen as a symbol of the broader offshoring trend that has hollowed out many American industrial sectors.

The details

Sun Chemical's facility near Muskegon is the only remaining U.S. manufacturer of the yellow pigment used in road paint. However, it only accounts for 4% of total U.S. demand, with the remaining 96% supplied by foreign producers. This heavy reliance on imported materials has raised concerns about the resilience of America's infrastructure supply chain.

  • Sun Chemical's facility has been operating for decades near Muskegon, Michigan.

The players

Sun Chemical

A chemical company that operates the last U.S. manufacturing facility producing the yellow pigment used in road paint.

Erick Couch

A representative from Sun Chemical who has spoken about the challenges facing the company's facility and the broader offshoring trend impacting U.S. manufacturing.

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What they’re saying

“When you see firsthand what rural America has experienced over the past 30-40 years, these manufacturing jobs are one of the few ways you can get out of poverty.”

— Erick Couch, Sun Chemical representative (Michigan Live)

The takeaway

The potential loss of the last domestic producer of road paint pigment highlights the broader challenges facing U.S. manufacturing, especially in rural communities that have been hit hard by offshoring and the decline of industrial jobs. This story underscores the importance of supporting domestic production of critical infrastructure materials to ensure the resilience of America's roads and highways.