China Architectural Coatings Market SIZE & SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS & FORECASTS UP TO 2028

China Architectural Coatings Market Analysis

The China Architectural Coatings Market size is estimated at USD 27.12 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 32.68 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.77% during the forecast period (2024-2028).

The Chinese architectural coating industry is experiencing a significant transformation driven by stringent environmental regulations and changing consumer preferences. The implementation of strict VOC regulations by the Chinese government in 2020 has fundamentally reshaped the industry landscape, pushing manufacturers to reformulate their products and adopt cleaner technologies. This regulatory framework has accelerated the transition towards eco-friendly paint and coating solutions, particularly in urban development projects. The shift has prompted major industry players to invest heavily in research and development, focusing on innovative low-VOC and zero-VOC formulations that maintain high performance standards while meeting environmental compliance requirements.

The residential construction sector continues to be the primary growth engine for architectural coatings in China, supported by ongoing urbanization initiatives and housing development projects. The sector's dominance is particularly evident in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where rapid urban expansion and renovation projects drive building coating demand. The growing middle-class population and increasing disposable income levels have led to higher consumer expectations regarding coating quality and performance. This trend has resulted in manufacturers developing premium product lines with enhanced durability, aesthetic appeal, and functional properties such as antibacterial and self-cleaning capabilities.

Waterborne coatings have emerged as the dominant technology segment, reflecting both regulatory compliance and market preference for sustainable solutions. The transition from solventborne to waterborne systems has been particularly pronounced in interior applications, where health and environmental concerns are paramount. Major coating manufacturers have expanded their waterborne product portfolios, introducing advanced formulations that offer improved application properties and durability. The industry has also witnessed significant investments in production capacity for waterborne coatings, with several manufacturers establishing dedicated facilities to meet growing demand.

The resin technology landscape is experiencing notable evolution, with acrylic resins maintaining their position as the preferred choice for waterborne architectural coatings. The superior weather resistance, durability, and versatility of acrylic-based coatings have made them particularly suitable for China's diverse climate conditions. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on developing hybrid resin systems that combine the benefits of different resin types to achieve optimal performance characteristics. The industry has also seen growing interest in bio-based and renewable resin technologies, although these remain in early stages of commercial adoption. This technological advancement has been accompanied by improvements in application methods and curing technologies, contributing to enhanced coating performance and reduced environmental impact.

China Architectural Coatings Market Trends

Residential is the largest segment by Sub End User.

• The architectural coating consumption in China peaked in 2017 with an increment of 7.80% from the previous year’s total architectural coating consumption, due to the long-time recovery since 2015, and increase in investment in the residential building by 9.4% y-o-y in 2017. Furthermore, rise in sales of total floor space was also observed in 2017, for instance, floor space of commercial buildings sold was up by 7.7% y-o-y in 2017, while the floor space of residential buildings sold went up by 5.3%.
• The normal new housing starts growth was observed in 2018 and 2019, however from 2018 the downturn was observed due to the over rise in housing prices and declining country’s GDP.The slow growth in the architectural coating consumption in 2020 due to lower new constructions in both residential cand commercial sector owing to the spread of covid-19 in the country was recovered in 2021 due to stronger completion and the rise in Do-it-yourself segment which got popularity in 2020.
• The increase in consumption and sales is expected to grow in forecasted period due to the government initiatives such as revoking filing and mandatory testing requirements of imported paint and coatings in the country from march, 2022 grows the confidence of coating companies in the positive future of architectural coating in the country.

Segment Analysis: Sub End User

Residential Segment in China Architectural Coatings Market

The residential segment dominated the China architectural coatings market, holding approximately 62% of the market share in 2024. This dominance is primarily driven by China's massive housing sector and ongoing urbanization initiatives. The segment's strength is reinforced by the government's focus on affordable housing projects and the renovation of existing residential buildings across major cities. The growing middle-class population and increasing disposable income have led to higher investments in home improvement and decoration projects, including house paint and wall paint. Additionally, the trend toward sustainable and eco-friendly homes has boosted the demand for low-VOC and environmentally friendly coating solutions in the residential sector. The segment has also benefited from the rising number of smart cities and modern residential complexes being developed across various provinces in China.

Commercial Segment in China Architectural Coatings Market

The commercial segment is projected to witness significant growth in the China architectural coatings market during the forecast period 2024-2029. This growth is primarily attributed to the rapid expansion of commercial infrastructure, including office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, and institutional facilities. The segment's growth is further supported by China's continued investment in commercial real estate development and the modernization of existing commercial spaces. The increasing adoption of advanced commercial coating technologies in commercial buildings, particularly those focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability, has become a major growth driver. Additionally, stringent building codes and regulations regarding fire safety and environmental protection have led to increased demand for specialized commercial architectural coating solutions.

Segment Analysis: Technology

Waterborne Segment in China Architectural Coatings Market

Waterborne coatings have emerged as the dominant technology segment in China's architectural coatings market, holding approximately 65% of the market share in 2024. This dominance is primarily driven by China's stringent environmental regulations limiting VOC emissions and the government's push toward sustainable coating technologies. The segment's growth is further supported by increasing awareness among consumers about environmental and health impacts, leading to higher adoption in both residential and commercial applications. The superior performance characteristics of waterborne coatings, including better durability, lower odor, and faster drying times, have made them particularly attractive for interior applications, such as wall paint and masonry coating. Additionally, major manufacturers have significantly invested in R&D to improve the performance and application properties of waterborne coatings, making them more competitive with traditional solventborne alternatives.

Solventborne Segment in China Architectural Coatings Market

The solventborne coatings segment continues to maintain its presence in specific applications where high performance and durability are critical requirements. These coatings are particularly valued in exterior applications and harsh environmental conditions where their superior weather resistance and durability properties provide advantages. Despite facing regulatory pressures, solventborne coatings remain essential in certain specialized architectural applications where waterborne alternatives may not yet provide equivalent performance characteristics. Manufacturers are focusing on developing low-VOC solventborne formulations to comply with environmental regulations while maintaining the performance benefits that make these coatings valuable in specific market niches, such as facade coating.

Segment Analysis: Resin

Acrylic Segment in China Architectural Coatings Market

Acrylic resins have established themselves as the dominant segment in China's architectural coatings market, holding approximately 40% market share in 2024. This commanding position can be attributed to acrylic resins' superior weatherability, excellent adhesion properties, and versatile application characteristics. The segment's strength is particularly evident in exterior architectural applications, where durability and UV resistance are crucial. The increasing focus on sustainable building practices in China has further boosted the demand for water-based acrylic coatings, as they align well with stricter environmental regulations. Major coating manufacturers have expanded their acrylic resin-based product portfolios to meet the growing demand from both residential and commercial construction sectors, particularly in tier-1 and tier-2 cities where premium house paint solutions are preferred.

Epoxy Segment in China Architectural Coatings Market

The epoxy resin segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in China's architectural coatings market, projected to expand significantly during the forecast period 2024-2029. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of epoxy-based coatings in commercial and industrial flooring applications, where durability and chemical resistance are paramount. The segment's expansion is further supported by the rising demand for high-performance protective coatings in infrastructure projects, including bridges, airports, and commercial complexes. Technological advancements in epoxy formulations, particularly in developing low-VOC and water-based alternatives, have opened new application opportunities and contributed to the segment's rapid growth trajectory. The segment has also benefited from China's ongoing urbanization and infrastructure development initiatives, which require robust construction coating solutions for long-term protection.

Remaining Segments in Resin

The other resin segments, including alkyd, polyester, polyurethane, and various specialty resins, continue to play important roles in China's architectural coatings market. Alkyd resins maintain their significance in traditional architectural applications, particularly in interior wood coatings and metal finishes, though their market share has been impacted by the shift toward water-based technologies. Polyurethane resins are gaining traction in premium architectural applications where superior scratch resistance and flexibility are required. Polyester resins find their niche in specialty architectural applications, particularly in powder coatings for metal substrates. These segments collectively contribute to the market's diversity, offering specific performance characteristics for various architectural coating applications and ensuring manufacturers can meet diverse customer requirements across different price points and performance specifications.