UAE Decorative Paints Market, By Product Type (Water Based, Solvent Based), By Type of Paint (Emulsion, Enamel, Distemper, Primer, Textures, Others), By Application (Exterior, Interior), By Sales Channel (Offline, Online), By End User (Residential, Non-Residential) By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.31 BIllion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.82%
Fastest Growing Segment	Emulsion
Largest Market	Abu Dhabi
Market Size (2031)	USD 4.39 BIllion

Market Overview

The UAE Decorative Paints Market will grow from USD 3.31 BIllion in 2025 to USD 4.39 BIllion by 2031 at a 4.82% CAGR. Decorative paints are specialized liquid coatings applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of residential, commercial, and institutional structures to enhance aesthetic appeal and provide essential protection against environmental elements. The primary drivers supporting the growth of this market in the UAE include rapid urbanization, a thriving tourism industry necessitating frequent hospitality refurbishments, and a robust pipeline of infrastructure projects. This demand is substantiated by the intense activity within the building sector, which serves as a direct catalyst for coating consumption. According to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, in 2024, the construction sector witnessed a 33% increase in new member company registrations compared to the previous year, underscoring the expanding scale of development that fuels the decorative paint industry.

Despite these positive indicators, the market faces a significant challenge in the form of raw material price volatility, particularly concerning titanium dioxide and acrylic binders. Fluctuations in the global cost of these essential inputs can severely impact production expenses and compress profit margins for manufacturers. This instability is often exacerbated by supply chain disruptions, forcing companies to constantly adjust pricing strategies to maintain competitiveness while meeting the rigorous quality standards required by the UAE market.

Key Market Drivers

Robust growth in the construction and infrastructure sector serves as the primary engine for the UAE decorative paints market, driven by the government's aggressive diversification mandates and urban expansion. This sector's vitality directly correlates with the volume of coatings required for protective and aesthetic finishes on new mega-projects. According to Kamco Invest, January 2025, in the 'GCC Projects Market Update', the total value of contracts awarded in the GCC reached USD 273.2 billion in 2024, creating a massive, sustained pipeline of coating-intensive developments. This infrastructure surge is deeply intertwined with the hospitality industry's expansion, which requires frequent maintenance and high-grade finishes to attract global travelers. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, July 2025, in the 'Tourism Performance Report', the emirate welcomed 9.88 million overnight visitors in the first half of 2025 alone, fueling a continuous cycle of hotel construction and refurbishment that heavily relies on premium decorative paints.

Simultaneously, the expansion of the residential and commercial real estate market significantly amplifies paint consumption, particularly within the luxury and mid-market housing segments. As developers race to meet population growth and investor demand, the requirement for interior and exterior coatings for new units has skyrocketed. Furthermore, the turnover of existing properties stimulates the renovation market, where repainting is a standard value-addition practice. According to Elan Real Estate, February 2025, in the 'Dubai Real Estate Market Overview', property sales transactions in January 2025 witnessed a 23.2% increase compared to the previous year, underscoring the vibrant transactional activity that necessitates fresh coating applications. This heightened real estate velocity ensures a steady stream of procurement orders for paint manufacturers, catering to both initial project completions and the secondary market's refurbishment needs.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material prices, particularly for titanium dioxide and acrylic binders, stands as a formidable barrier to the expansion of the UAE decorative paints market. This unpredictability in input costs directly destabilizes production budgets and erodes profit margins, compelling manufacturers to frequently revise their pricing structures. Such financial uncertainty creates hesitation in long-term investment and supply agreements, as companies must prioritize short-term liquidity over strategic growth initiatives to navigate the fluctuating cost landscape.

The severity of this issue is evident in the broader construction materials sector, which dictates the demand and cost baseline for decorative coatings. According to the UAE Contractors' Association, in 2024, the local market experienced a sudden and unjustifiable surge in building material prices, which necessitated regulatory intervention and the threat of fines up to AED 1 million for non-compliance. This erratic pricing environment hampers the industry's ability to forecast expenses accurately, thereby slowing down project execution and reducing the overall consumption rate of decorative paints in ongoing developments.

Key Market Trends

Rising adoption of eco-friendly and low-VOC formulations is reshaping the market as consumers and regulators prioritize indoor air quality. This shift extends beyond basic compliance, with manufacturers reformulating products to align with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 initiative. The demand is particularly acute in residential and healthcare projects where safety is paramount, compelling brands to innovate with sustainable lines that maintain high performance coverage. This strategic pivot towards green solutions is yielding tangible commercial success for major industry players. According to Gulf News, May 2025, in the 'Jotun celebrates 50 years of leadership in the UAE' report, Jotun crossed the 100 million litre production milestone in 2024, a growth trajectory heavily supported by its expanding portfolio of sustainability-compliant paints designed to meet the region's evolving environmental standards.

Simultaneously, the application of nanotechnology for enhanced climate durability has emerged to combat the region’s extreme environmental conditions. Manufacturers are integrating nano-quartz matrix technologies to create facades that resist sand erosion, intense UV radiation, and salt accumulation, significantly extending the lifecycle of exterior coatings. This technological evolution addresses the financial burden of frequent maintenance, offering property owners long-term value through superior structural protection. The market’s responsiveness to these climate-adaptive solutions is evident in recent financial performance data. According to Zawya, July 2025, in the 'Caparol Paints strengthens regional footprint following significant sales growth in the Middle East' article, Caparol Paints recorded a 35% year-on-year sales increase in 2024, driven by the high uptake of its climate-resilient facade solutions and exterior insulation systems.

Segmental Insights

The emulsion segment represents the fastest-growing category in the UAE Decorative Paints Market, propelled by increasing regulatory pressure to lower Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. Initiatives such as the Green Building Regulations established by the Dubai Municipality have accelerated the adoption of water-based paints, which offer environmentally compliant and low-odor solutions for interior applications. Furthermore, the robust expansion of the residential housing sector supports this trend, as contractors prioritize safer and user-friendly materials. Consequently, the market has witnessed a decisive shift toward emulsion products to meet both statutory requirements and modern construction standards.

Regional Insights

Abu Dhabi holds the leading position in the UAE decorative paints market, driven by extensive government investment in infrastructure and residential projects aligned with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. This strategic framework accelerates construction activities, thereby increasing the demand for architectural coatings throughout the region. Furthermore, the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council enforces rigorous standards for building materials, which supports the adoption of high-quality and sustainable paint products. Consequently, the consistent expansion of commercial and housing developments establishes the emirate as the primary revenue generator within the national sector.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Berger Paints Emirates, a subsidiary of Asian Paints International, announced plans to establish a second manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates to augment its production capabilities. The company filed a regulatory announcement detailing an investment of approximately AED 140 million to construct the new plant within the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). The proposed facility was designed with an initial installed capacity of 55,800 kilolitres per annum and would span an area of 100,000 square metres. This strategic development was intended to strengthen the company’s foothold in the UAE decorative paints market and support its long-term growth objectives in the region by meeting increasing local demand.
• In July 2025, Caparol Paints announced a major business expansion in the Middle East, driven by a 35% year-on-year sales increase in 2024 and the launch of new product lines specifically tailored to the region's climate. The company revealed it had significantly widened its retail network across the UAE over the preceding twelve months to improve access for homeowners and professionals. The expansion focused on delivering sustainable and durable coating solutions, such as their innovative stone finish products, which are manufactured locally to meet the demanding environmental conditions. The Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa & Asia stated that the growth strategy aligned with the region's booming real estate sector and the increasing demand for energy-efficient and health-conscious building materials.
• In June 2025, National Paints Factories Co. Ltd. entered into a significant collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to acquire the naming rights for the Jebel Ali Metro Station. Under this ten-year agreement, the station was officially renamed "National Paints Metro Station," marking a strategic branding initiative situated within the Jebel Ali Free Zone, a key industrial hub. The partnership was facilitated through a media concessionaire and aimed to enhance the company's visibility while contributing to the city's urban infrastructure. The Managing Director of National Paints described the initiative as a reflection of the company's commitment to the UAE's development and a move to strengthen its connection with the community through high-profile transit media.
• In March 2024, Jotun Paints UAE introduced its new 'Canvas' Global Colour Collection for 2024, designed to encourage self-expression and creative inspiration in home interiors. The collection featured 23 distinct shades, including nature-inspired greens, fresh blues, and soft greys, intended to evoke the calming qualities of the sky and sea. The launch highlighted the company's focus on colour theory and psychological comfort, with the new hues available in their premium interior finish, Fenomastic Wonderwall Lux. The Global Colour Manager at the company emphasized that the palette was curated to provide a spectrum of calming and grounding tones that respond to a growing global trend for relaxation in living spaces.

Key Market Players

• Akzo Nobel N.V.
• PPG Industries, Inc
• Asian Paints Limited
• Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.
• BASF SE
• RPM International Inc.
• Hempel A/S
• Jotun A/S
• Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.

By Product Type	By Type of Paint	By Application	By Sales Channel	By End User	By Region
Water Based Solvent Based	Emulsion Enamel Distemper Primer Textures Others	Exterior Interior	Offline Online	Residential Non-Residential	Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah Rest of UAE

Report Scope:

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

• UAE Decorative Paints Market, By Product Type:

• Water Based
• Solvent Based

• UAE Decorative Paints Market, By Type of Paint:

• Emulsion
• Enamel
• Distemper
• Primer
• Textures
• Others

• UAE Decorative Paints Market, By Application:

• Exterior
• Interior

• UAE Decorative Paints Market, By Sales Channel:

• Offline
• Online

• UAE Decorative Paints Market, By End User:

• Residential
• Non-Residential

• UAE Decorative Paints Market, By Region:

• Abu Dhabi
• Dubai
• Sharjah
• Rest of UAE