The global protective coatings market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.5%, reaching USD 22.1 billion in 2031 from USD 17.7 billion in 2026.
The global protective coatings market industry has been growing due to several factors. The major drivers are the development and growth of new housing projects, rising infrastructural projects around several parts of the world, the automotive industry’s expansion, the rising aerospace and shipping industry, and growing awareness of using environment-friendly and sustainable materials. The coatings have multiple applications in diverse industries. Coatings are also applied in producing semiconductors and electrical and electronic equipment for better conductivity.
The increasing need for corrosion-resistant coatings in various industries primarily drove industrial protective coatings market growth. The demand for powder and high-performance coatings for industrial applications also contributed to the growth.
According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), the sale of BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) rose from 4.7 million in 2021 to 7.3 million in 2022 and 9.5 million in 2023. The sale of PHEVs (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles) increased by 1.9 million in 2021, 2.9 million in 2022, and 4.3 million in 2023.
Growing infrastructure and industrialization
The construction and building industry worldwide is showing significant growth. One of the major reasons for this industry's expansion is the growing urbanization. Urbanization causes the rapid industrialization of the country and region. According to the World Bank[1], the number of people living in the cities is expected to grow by doubling its current size by 2050, at which point nearly 7 of 10 people will live in cities.The rate of urbanization in the developing part of the world is rising significantly. This includes the construction for the large urban population, that is, parks, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, houses, buildings, etc. The major part of urbanization is taking place in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa regions.
The construction industry requires various protective coating formulations for different applications. Durability is one of the key reasons. It helps to extend the life of a building by protecting the underlying materials from weathering, corrosion, etc.
Energy efficiency is another reason protective coatings should be chosen. Protective coatings can help to reduce the amount of heat through the building, thus reducing the energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature. Some protective coatings are specially formulated to provide additional fire resistance to the building, which helps to reduce the risk of fire damage in the event of a fire. These coatings are also useful in architectural coatings for the barrier between the surface and the environment, providing the integrity of the material.
Rise of the automotive industry
According to the OICA (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), the overall production of vehicles has expanded by 10% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This number of vehicles produced was 93,546,599, out of which 67,133,570 are cars and 26,413,029 are commercial vehicles. These increases are from major economies of India, China, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, etc. In the USA, the market has expanded by 6%; in the UK, the expansion was 17%; and in China, it has a 12% increase.
This major increase in vehicle production leads to the demand for protective coatings in the automotive industry. The coatings are necessary for providing better looks and protecting the car's surface from heat and moisture. Vehicle production, especially electric vehicles, is projected to increase, contributing to the protective coatings market growth.
Growing demand for green coatings
The demand for green coatings continues to rise as environmental regulations are evolving and continue to change. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommendations of specifications, standards, and ecolabels for federal purchasing. Further, VOC regulations for coatings are the varying standards that require that paint and coating products. These standards are the primary driving force for the demand for green coatings in the market by both government and private demand.
The global protective coatings market is segmented into five regions worldwide
By geography, the global protective coatings market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The major economies like China, Japan, India, and South Korea dominate the Asia-Pacific region. Some of the fastest-growing emerging economies are from this region, such as ASEAN countries.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to see the fastest growth in the global protective coatings market due to increasing applications in the construction and mining industry here. North America is expected to have a significant market share for global protective coatings due to the major utilization of protective coatings for automotive, aerospace, and construction industries.
The market leaders for the global protective coatings market are Hempel AS, Jotun A/S, Kansai Paint Co. Ltd, Nippon Paints, RPM International, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Asian Paints PPG Pvt. Limited, Sika AG, Akzo Nobel N.V. These key players implement growth strategies such as product launches, mergers, acquisitions, etc., to gain a competitive advantage. For Instance,
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Companies |
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By Product Type
Epoxy
Polyurethane
Vinyl Ester
Polyester
Others
By Technology
Powder
Water-borne
Solvent-borne
Others
By End-user Industry
Construction
Oil and Gas
Aerospace
Automotive
Power Generation
Infrastructure
Others
By Geography
North America
USA
Canada
Mexico
South America
Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Europe
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Italy
Spain
Rest of Europe
Middle East and Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Rest of the Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
Indonesia
Rest of Asia-Pacific