Why Waterborne Coatings Are "Industrial and Market Cold"
The development of waterborne wood coatings in China has been a challenging journey over the past decade. Despite growing awareness and environmental concerns, the path to industrialization remains long and uncertain. Recently, the China Coatings Industry Association organized its first seminar on waterborne wood coatings in Guangzhou, aiming to accelerate research, promotion, and practical application of these eco-friendly products. While the association is highly motivated, many domestic paint companies are still hesitant, waiting for clearer signals before making significant investments. This situation has been humorously described as "industry fever but a cold market."
Waterborne wood coatings offer great potential for resource conservation and environmental improvement. As their construction processes become more manageable, leading decoration companies are beginning to adopt them, training workers and setting up specialized teams. With increasing attention on safety and environmental standards, waterborne coatings are gradually gaining acceptance due to their low risk and pollution levels.
However, despite years of effort, the industry has not yet reached a tipping point. In 1995, Germany’s DuPont entered the Chinese market with its advanced waterborne coating technology from Europe, but high costs limited its success. In 1996, Shandong Yalimei became the first local manufacturer, but it eventually declined by 2000. Shenzhen Qibao Chemical followed in 2003, claiming to solve quality and cost issues, yet market response remained weak. Similar stories repeated with other major players like Da Bao, Universal, and Aipu Shi, none of which achieved large-scale production.
A major barrier is the lack of supportive policies and infrastructure. Domestic regulations lag behind international standards, and technical support and service from suppliers often fall short of user expectations. This has created hesitation among companies, slowing down market growth.
In contrast, the U.S. and EU have strict regulations limiting solvent-based paints, while China lacks clear restrictions or mandates for waterborne coatings. Even the 2005 "Technical Requirements for Water-Resistant Coatings for Environmentally-Friendly Marking Products" set lower standards than those in developed countries.
Technically, waterborne coatings still face several challenges. Drying times are too slow, and achieving the required hardness and fullness is difficult. VOC residue remains high, with lingering odors even after extended drying periods. Additionally, production costs are significantly higher—often twice that of solvent-based paints—due to reliance on imported materials and high R&D expenses.
Moreover, the pricing of waterborne primers and putty is also a challenge, and collaboration between furniture factories and coating manufacturers is lacking, further hindering expansion.
As a result, many companies prefer to follow rather than lead, leading to a lack of innovation and slow progress in creating a true market climate.
But there are opportunities. Waterborne coatings are becoming a global trend, and consumers are increasingly demanding eco-friendly alternatives. With rising oil prices making solvent-based paints more expensive, the stage is set for waterborne coatings to gain traction.
To move forward, the industry needs to focus on policy, market, and technological development. First, governments should support environmentally friendly products and phase out outdated ones, using standards to guide the market. Second, public awareness campaigns can shift consumer habits toward sustainable choices. Third, technological advancements must improve performance, reduce costs, and enhance construction equipment compatibility.
Upstream suppliers and downstream contractors must work together to build a strong ecosystem for waterborne coatings. Only through collective effort can China truly embrace this green transformation.
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