Sustainable change in the coatings industry: the rise of environmentally friendly additives
The performance of paints and coatings depends not only on pigments and binders, but also on additives. These play a key role in industries such as automotive, aerospace and construction. They drive innovation, from corrosion resistance to more environmentally friendly solutions. Chirag Tripathi and Parag Shah, MarketsandMarkets
The industry is undergoing a major shift towards sustainable alternatives, driven by the European Green Deal and the United Nations’ sustainability goals. Additives are increasingly becoming bio-based, more environmentally friendly and offer solutions for low-VOC formulations that comply with current regulations. This is particularly evident in the development of bio-based coating additives derived from renewable resources.
The market for coating additives is expected to grow from EUR 7.62 billion in 2023 to EUR 9.63 billion in 2028, at a CAGR of 4.70%. This growth forecast is fuelled by the increasing demand for environmentally friendly and high-performance coatings.
Trends in the coatings industry
Some of the current and future trends include:
- Sustainability and environmental regulations: There is a growing demand for additives that contain low levels of VOCs and no hazardous air pollutants – an important step towards more environmentally friendly coatings.
- Water-based formulations: The increasing popularity of water-based systems is driving demand for additives that enhance the performance of water-based coatings to the level of solvent-based systems.
- Nanotechnology: The use of nanotechnology makes coatings more resistant to scratches, abrasion and UV radiation, which is particularly important in the automotive and aerospace industries.
- Intelligent coatings: These are becoming a breakthrough area, especially in high-end applications such as the automotive and construction industries.
Event Tip: Bio-based Coatings
In the EC Short Course “Bio-based Coatings” on March 17, 2025 (online, 15:00 – 17:00 CET), you will learn about plant-based raw materials in coatings, their production, and the challenges of replacing fossil-based materials. The course provides insights into sustainable alternatives and their impact on the industry.
Innovations and new developments
Research and development is increasingly focusing on:
- Bio-based additives: natural sources such as plant oils and lignin are being used to develop dispersants, thickeners and wetting agents that are not only more environmentally friendly but also reduce the carbon footprint of the coatings industry.
- Self-healing additives: these improve the lifespan of coatings, particularly in high-performance applications such as aerospace.
- Multifunctional additives: Additives that provide multiple benefits – such as defoaming and wetting in one – are growing in popularity as they reduce formulation complexity and increase efficiency.
- High-temperature resistant additives: For industries such as aerospace and electronics, additives are being developed that can withstand extreme temperatures without losing their performance.
The Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest share of global consumption of coating additives. This region benefits from a high growth rate, low production costs and increasing demand from the automotive, construction and furniture industries. Companies are setting up production plants and sales offices in this region, which further increases market demand.
Conclusion: a dynamic market for additives
The market for paint and varnish additives is on the move. New technologies such as nanotechnology, bio-based additives and smart coatings are driving the industry forward. As a result of the constant development of high-performance, environmentally friendly solutions, the role of additives in the coatings industry will continue to grow, driving innovation and setting new standards for quality and environmental responsibility.
