Decorative coatings are applied on exterior and interior surfaces for enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the structure and also for providing a protective layer to the surface in order to protect it against fading, corrosion, moisture, bacteria, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These coatings posses various beneficial characteristics such as anti-slip, anti-microbial, fire-resistant, and anti-graffiti properties and are available in different colors for meeting the requirement of multiple sectors such as education, industrial, and healthcare. The demand for these coatings is surging rapidly, on account of the rising infrastructural development and construction activities across the globe. 

“According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the population in the world is predicted to increase to 8.6 billion, 9.8 billion, and 11.2 billion by 2030, 2050, and 2100 respectively, with an addition of almost 83 million to the global population every year”. Furthermore, the increasing economic growth of many countries has caused a huge rise in the disposable income of people, which has subsequently led to a surge in renovation activities, which has, in turn, propelled the demand for decorative coatings all over the world.

Because of the above-mentioned factors, the global decorative coating market will exhibit rapid growth in the coming years, as per the forecast of the market research firm, P&S Intelligence. The most commonly used types of decorative coatings are primer, enamel, and emulsion-based coatings. Amongst these, “the utilization of the emulsion-based coatings is currently the highest”, primarily because of the fact that these coatings are water-based and dry off in a shorter period of time than the other coatings. Additionally, the greater coverage area provided by these coatings makes them very popular all over the globe.

These coatings are heavily used in both commercial and residential sectors. Between the two, “the usage of these coatings has been found to be higher in the residential applications till now”, mainly because of the increasing population levels in many countries around the world. Additionally, the soaring home ownership rates in several nations, on account of the rising per capita income of the people, is further bolstering the demand for decorative coatings throughout the world.

Acrylic, alkyd, epoxy, and polyurethane are the main types of resins used in the decorative coatings. Out of the different variants, “the acrylic ones are presently observing the highest demand across the world”. This is credited to the various beneficial characteristics provided by these resins to the coatings such as durability, strength, little odor, non-flammability, water solubility while being wet. In addition to this, the acrylic resins make the cleaning of the decorative coatings very easy and enhance their compatibility with various non-toxic thinning materials. 

Across the globe, “the decorative coating market is presently booming in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region”. This is primarily ascribed to the fact that this region is currently the largest producer of coated products across the world and exports these goods to other countries, especially the nations in Western European and the U.S. Additionally, the increasing per capita income of the people in the APAC nations is further boosting the requirement of these coatings in the region.

Thus, the demand for decorative coatings will surge throughout the world in the upcoming years, mainly because of the ballooning infrastructural development and construction activities and renovation works and the widespread usage of these coatings in various industrial operations across the world.