China Paints & Coatings Market By Resin Type (Acrylic, Alkyd, Epoxy, Polyurethane, Polyester, Others), By Application (Architectural, Industrial, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 22.67 BIllion
CAGR (2026-2031)	2.98%
Fastest Growing Segment	Architectural
Largest Market	South-Central
Market Size (2031)	USD 27.04 BIllion

Market Overview

The China Paints & Coatings Market will grow from USD 22.67 BIllion in 2025 to USD 27.04 BIllion by 2031 at a 2.98% CAGR. Paints and coatings are liquid, liquefiable, or mastic compositions applied to substrates to form thin layers that provide protection, decoration, or specific functional properties. The growth of this market in China is fundamentally supported by rapid urbanization and the extensive expansion of the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors, which generate consistent demand for both architectural and industrial finishes. These core economic drivers actively sustain the industry's baseline consumption levels, separate from transient stylistic preferences or technological shifts.

However, the market currently faces a significant challenge arising from the contraction in the domestic real estate sector, which has directly impacted the volume of architectural coatings required. This sectoral slowdown has constrained overall production growth despite resilience in other areas. According to the China Coatings Industry Association, in 2024, the total output of the Chinese coatings industry was 35.34 million tons, representing a decrease of 1.60% compared to the previous year.

Key Market Drivers

The Rapid Expansion of the Automotive Manufacturing and Electric Vehicle Sectors fundamentally reshapes the market by prioritizing high-performance formulations required for aesthetic durability and corrosion protection. This driver is particularly potent due to the explosive adoption of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), which necessitate specialized coatings for battery systems and lightweight composite materials. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, January 2025, in the '2024 Automotive Industry Economic Operation' report, the sales of new energy vehicles in China surged to 12.87 million units, marking a 35.5% year-on-year increase. This sustained manufacturing volume ensures a critical baseline for automotive OEM coatings, effectively counterbalancing weaknesses in the architectural segment and driving technical innovation across the supply chain.

Rising Coating Requirements from the Marine and Shipbuilding Industries further bolster the market, as China consolidates its position as the global leader in vessel construction. This sector demands substantial volumes of advanced anti-fouling and anti-corrosive marine coatings to meet international environmental standards and extend vessel lifespans under harsh conditions. According to the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, January 2025, in the '2024 Shipbuilding Industry Operation' report, the national shipbuilding output climbed to 48.18 million deadweight tons, reflecting a 13.8% increase compared to the previous year. This shift toward high-value industrial applications has significantly improved the sector's financial health despite lower overall output volumes. Consequently, according to the China Coatings Industry Association, in 2024, the total profit of the Chinese coatings industry rose by 9.34% to reach 26.29 billion yuan.

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Key Market Challenges

The contraction of the domestic real estate sector serves as a substantial restraint on the China paints and coatings market, primarily by eroding demand for architectural finishes. As property developers scale back new housing starts and delay project completions due to liquidity constraints and weakened consumer confidence, the volume of coatings required for interior and exterior applications has dropped significantly. This reduction is critical because architectural coatings represent a dominant share of the industry's total volume, meaning any fluctuation in construction activity directly dictates the market's overall production capacity and inventory turnover.

The severity of this sectoral drag is evident in major manufacturing hubs that rely heavily on construction-related demand. According to the China Coatings Industry Association, in 2024, the total output of coatings in Guangdong Province decreased by 3.4% year-on-year to reach 5.41 million tons, a decline explicitly attributed to the sluggish performance of the real estate market. This regional contraction illustrates how the dependency on property development actively hampers the broader industry, counteracting growth in industrial segments and pulling down national production figures.

Key Market Trends

The industry is actively pivoting toward urban renewal and repainting service models as the primary source of architectural coating demand shifts from new construction to the maintenance of existing assets. This transition is driven by government-led initiatives to revitalize aging urban infrastructure, compelling manufacturers to develop specialized repainting solutions and integrated application services that address the complexities of occupied residential renovations. According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, August 2024, in a press conference regarding high-quality urban development, the central government confirmed plans to renovate 54,000 old urban residential communities throughout the year. This large-scale refurbishment mandate effectively creates a stable revenue stream for architectural paints, mitigating the volume losses resulting from the slowdown in new commercial real estate projects.

Market consolidation favoring domestic premium brands is intensifying as strict environmental regulations and competitive pricing eliminate smaller, non-compliant manufacturers. Leading Chinese enterprises are capitalizing on this environment by leveraging extensive distribution networks and localized branding to capture market share from both fragmented local competitors and international rivals. According to SKSHU Paint Co., Ltd., April 2024, in the '2023 Annual Report', the company achieved a total operating income of 12.47 billion yuan, representing a 10.03% year-on-year growth. This performance, which significantly outpaces the broader industry's negative production trajectory, highlights how top-tier domestic entities are securing dominance through scale and operational efficiency despite the volatile macroeconomic climate.

Segmental Insights

The Architectural segment is recognized as the fastest-growing category within the China Paints & Coatings Market, primarily driven by national strategies prioritizing urban renewal. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has implemented comprehensive guidelines for renovating older residential communities, thereby generating substantial recurring demand for decorative repainting solutions. Additionally, increasing regulatory pressure to adhere to green building standards compels the widespread adoption of eco-friendly and low-emission architectural coatings. This strategic shift from strict reliance on new construction to maintenance and sustainability secures a resilient growth trajectory for the segment.

Regional Insights

The South Central region commands the leading position in the China paints and coatings market due to its extensive industrial base in Guangdong and surrounding provinces. This area functions as a major hub for the automotive, furniture, and electronics manufacturing sectors, creating consistent demand for industrial coatings. Additionally, accelerated urbanization and large-scale infrastructure projects within the Pearl River Delta Economic Zone significantly boost the consumption of architectural coatings. Continued focus on regional economic development ensures that South Central remains the primary driver of industry demand compared to other geographical areas.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, AkzoNobel introduced a new thermal insulation coating system in the Chinese market to improve energy efficiency in buildings. The system comprised a radiative cooling topcoat and a thermal radiation barrier mid-coat, which functioned together to reduce surface temperatures by up to 10% during hot weather. The mid-coat utilized aerogel insulation materials to block heat transmission, while the topcoat offered high solar reflectivity. The President of AkzoNobel China stated that this innovation aligned with China's dual-carbon goals by helping to alleviate urban heat island effects and providing more comfortable living environments.
• In March 2025, PPG opened a new automotive coatings color creation studio within its Global Coatings Innovation Center in Tianjin, China. The facility was equipped with advanced digital tools and high-precision equipment to provide immersive color experiences and design support for automotive manufacturers. This launch aimed to assist Chinese automotive brands in rapidly responding to market trends and enhancing their global competitiveness through customized and sustainable color solutions. A Vice President at PPG noted that the studio represented a significant milestone in deepening the company's engagement with the new energy vehicle sector in China.
• In November 2024, Covestro commenced the production of a partially bio-based coating raw material known as Desmophen CQ NH at its facility in Foshan, China. This polyaspartic resin, which contains a minimum of 25 percent bio-based content, was designed for high-performance applications such as wind turbine coatings, flooring, and grouts. The initiative was part of the company's strategy to enhance localization and sustainability in the region, with the Foshan site operating entirely on renewable energy. A Senior Vice President at Covestro highlighted that this local production would reduce delivery times and support the circular economy for regional customers.
• In August 2024, BASF's Coatings division inaugurated a new Application and Technical Center in Jiangmen, China. Located within the BASF Coatings (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. site, this facility was established to serve the automotive refinish market across China and the Asia Pacific region. The center functions as a dedicated technology hub designed for rigorous product testing, process evaluation, and competitor benchmarking. A Senior Vice President at BASF stated that the center's proximity to existing research and production facilities would ensure a real-time response to market demands and drive efficiency in developing new refinish solutions.

Key Market Players

• PPG Coatings (Kunshan) Co. Ltd.
• Akzo Nobel China B.V.
• Cosco Kansai Paint & Chemicals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
• Nippon Paint (China) Co. Ltd.
• BASF Shanghai Coatings Co.
• Valspar Coatings Co., Ltd.

By Resin Type	By Application	By Region
Acrylic Alkyd Epoxy Polyurethane Polyester Others	Architectural Industrial Others	North North-East East North-West South-Central South-West

Report Scope:

In this report, the China Paints & Coatings Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• China Paints & Coatings Market, By Resin Type:

• Acrylic
• Alkyd
• Epoxy
• Polyurethane
• Polyester
• Others

• China Paints & Coatings Market, By Application:

• Architectural
• Industrial
• Others

• China Paints & Coatings Market, By Region:

• North
• North-East
• East
• North-West
• South-Central
• South-West