ColorForward™ 2026

Eclectic Color Palette to Represent a Period of Redefining Chaos in 2026

ColorForward™ is the annual color forecasting tool for the plastics industry crafted by Avient's ColorWorks™ team. It unveils four compelling trend stories that tap into the emotions expected to shape consumer color preferences in the upcoming years. This inspiring package includes 20 aesthetic concepts to help designers and marketers make informed color choices for new plastic products and packaging. ColorForward 2026, the 20^th edition of Avient's trend and color guide, identified the following global trend stories:

• Wonderland: Feeling overwhelmed by a world in constant flux, we seek moments of escape and delight. This will manifest in various ways, from searching for comfort in the fantasy genre, treating oneself with small-budget surprise boxes or big expensive collector toys, celebrating "minorstones," as opposed to milestones, to immersing oneself in original experiences and cosplaying. This trend and its color and effect palette are about finding joy and enchanting the "kidult" in us, allowing us to escape to a world of wonder while the world around us gets redefined.
• Carnival of Fuels: Experts predict a major rise in electricity demand in the following years driven by the expanding electrification in developing countries and the increasing number of data centers needed to fulfill the demands of our digitalized world and to feed Artificial Intelligence (AI). Carnival of Fuels tells the story of our search for alternative fuels that will help meet our growing electricity demand. Be ready to hear more about small modular reactors (SMR), green hydrogen, and critical minerals in the coming years. The selection of color concepts for this trend story is as eclectic as the topic itself.
• Viviendo de Noche: As heat waves continue to hit us every year, we will likely need to adapt our schedules to escape the hottest times of the day. This could mean shifting our activities to early morning, late evening or even late night. This shift will further contribute to the growth of the night economy, which is already targeted by cities and regions around the world to compensate for financial losses due to lagging economies. The Viviendo de Noche palette includes color concepts that mirror the atmosphere of these new hours of activity and our desire to escape the heat and enjoy cooler locations.
• Bio-funk: As highlighted in Carnival of Fuels, the ever-growing digitalization of our world and use of AI will generate an exponential growth of data that could outpace traditional computing capabilities. Bio-funk takes us through some of the uncanny computer technology that could see breakthroughs in 2026 to fill this gap. From computers harvesting the power of human brain cells to fungi-based electronics, bio-computing might sound like science fiction, but it's already been researched for several years in the medical field and will likely be a frontrunner. In addition to the various forms and applications of bio-computing, 2026 could also see breakthroughs in the long quest to successful quantum computing. The Bio-funk palette includes unexpected effects that lie between organic and synthetic hues.

Contact us to learn more about each trend story's color and effect palettes!