United States. PPG announced its 2025 Color of the Year, Purple Basil (PPG1046-7), a refreshing, bold, and soothing dusty violet shade that represents adaptability in times of change.
Also known as Amethyst Shadow and Acai Berry in select European markets, the hue is part of PPG's 2025 "Kinetic" global color theme, which includes four distinct color palettes.
"As consumers embark on a period of unprecedented novelty, movement is a distinctive global theme shaping design trends across numerous industries," said Vanessa Peterson, PPG's global head of color design, consumer products, industrial coatings.
"The Kinetic color theme reflects the need for self-reliance in a fast-paced world. It also highlights the interaction between nature and science that drives innovation and the influence of new tools such as artificial intelligence that foster limitless creativity."
Purple Basil is a sophisticated and elegant color that works well in both traditional designs and bolder applications. As purple, it's warm enough to be inviting, but cool enough to create an air of mystery. The tension between the qualities of blue and red within the color imparts a kinetic energy, which perfectly complements the 40 shades combined across PPG's four 2025 color palettes: Extra Celestial, Bio-Fuse, Artificial and Earth and Archive.
"It's a time of transformation with endless new possibilities that we hadn't even imagined, powered by new tools that are driving human creativity," Peterson said. "Consumers are embracing this moment of change and movement, and we're seeing color trends reflect the need for dynamic colors, moving away from softer, more banal, and confident color options in favor of rich jewel tones, deeper earthy pastels, and ancestral-inspired mid-tones."
In industrial design applications, Purple Basil and the colors of Kinetic's global color palettes respond to consumers' needs for innovation, adaptability, and sense of movement. Whether in consumer products, architectural applications such as windows and doors, office furniture, or automotive applications, these colors provide a fresh and dynamic aesthetic.
"Purple Basil is a mid-tone color with a neutral undertone that makes it intense, multidimensional and comforting. It's a warmer color that's still slightly desaturated, making it a nuanced neutral," Peterson said.
Purple Basil was selected through the collaboration of dozens of PPG color stylists. PPG's color forecasting process is comprehensive and takes into account the social, cultural, and political dynamics that influence trends around the world. The team of color stylists evaluates these dynamics in each region of the world to create a collection that resonates with diverse audiences.
