The decorative and architectural coatings market is expanding in both scale and variety, with a particular emphasis on environmentally friendly formulations.
The global market size for decorative architectural coatings – which includes paints, primers, sealers, stains, and varnishes for both interior and exterior applications – in 2024 was 27.7 billion litres according to the Chem Quest Group, and worth an estimated 81 billion euros.
The architectural segment accounted for nearly half of the total coatings market, with major regions including the Pacific (52 per cent), Europe (16 per cent), Latin America (12 per cent), North America (11 per cent), and the Middle East and Africa (9 per cent).
Dr Nicole Borho, Manager Portfolio Sustainability at German coatings manufacturer DAW, noted that a slight growth in global market volume of about 2 per cent was expected in 2025.
She said: “Architectural coatings are in line with the general trend and do not differ significantly from the development of the overall paints and coatings market, which means that their market share will also remain roughly the same.”
The analysis projected a compound annual growth rate between 2024 and 2029 to be 2.8 per cent in volume and 5 per cent in value, driven primarily by increasing sustainability efforts, urbanisation, and economic expansion.
The common thread among these growth drivers is their support for building and construction activity, which directly influences the demand for coatings. Rising GDP levels are boosting housing demand, government-funded housing projects, and renovation spending.
Dr Borho also highlighted the impact of the EU Green Deal on product development.
She said: “In the EU, the Green Deal is promoting a change of principles in the development of materials that pave the way for innovative, resource-efficient paints and construction products.
“Sustainability criteria are taken into account at the product design stage, and materials at the end of their lifecycle are not considered waste but new raw materials (urban mining).
“To this end, bio-based raw materials or secondary raw materials can be used that contribute to climate and circular economy goals.
“Initial solutions are available, such as the use of camelina oil or plastic containers that use post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.”
In recent years, commercial demand and customer preference for environmentally friendly products have grown significantly, driven by stringent regulations of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and heightened awareness of the benefits of using greener coatings.
Water-based formulations have become crucial in the development of eco-friendly architectural coatings, as they significantly reduce VOC emissions compared to traditional solvent-based resins. Additionally, they offer excellent heat resistance, adhesion, and abrasion properties.
A recent paper published in the journal Progress in Organic Coatings explored the potential of nanomaterials in improving the performance of clear water-based coatings that preserve the natural appearance of wood while enhancing its durability.
Clear coatings are valued for their ability to maintain wood’s aesthetic appeal, including its unique grain patterns, texture, and warm tones, features often obscured or altered by opaque or pigmented coatings.
The researchers said: “Wood offers numerous advantages, making it an attractive material for construction and architectural applications, both indoors and outdoors.
“[It] is a renewable and sustainable source, making it an environmentally friendly choice compared to many synthetic materials.
“However, despite its desirable qualities, wood is susceptible to degradation and deterioration when exposed to outdoor environments.”
They explained that while wood modification techniques could enhance durability, the use of coatings was often
more cost-effective and easier to implement, making it a widely adopted approach for wood protection across various applications.
However, while water-based coatings can provide adequate protection against UV radiation, moisture, and fungal growth, their durability and service life on wood substrates have not yet reached the levels achieved by pigmented coatings.
