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Materials, technologies, markets and innovation for the paintbrush and brush industry.
A collection of technical content and analysis covering raw materials, manufacturing processes and the evolution of our industry.
A brief history of synthetic filaments for paintbrushes. From the first filaments developed in the United States in the 1950s to modern alternatives to natural hair, the evolution of synthetic materials has profoundly transformed the brush industry.
In March 2025, the market for raw materials used in the production of synthetic filaments was experiencing a period of significant volatility. In particular, PBT recorded substantial price fluctuations, while the PET market showed a different trend, characterised by weak demand and pressure on prices.
In October 2024, Mark Samuel takes another look at the fine hair market, focusing on developments in synthetic materials, the availability of natural hairs and the changes affecting the production of cosmetic and professional brushes.
The strengthening of the yuan against the dollar can affect the prices of raw materials purchased from China. Let's look at how the USD/RMB exchange rate changed from 2023 to 2026 and what this may mean for buyers of natural bristles, horsehair and synthetic filaments.
The quality of a professional paintbrush depends to a large extent on the characteristics of the filaments used. Stiffness, flexibility, paint-holding capacity, paint release and finish quality are closely related to the geometry and structure of the filament.
Nexstar continues to invest in research and development to create synthetic filament blends designed to reproduce key performance characteristics of natural bristle. By combining tapered synthetic filaments with different diameters and geometries, Nexstar can influence product release, application uniformity, softness and feel during use.