Top 10 Companies in the Surface Fire Protection Coating Industry (2025): Global Leaders Shaping Fire Safety Standards

In Business Insights
November 15, 2025

The Global Surface Fire Protection Coating Market was valued at USD 4.2 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 6.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust expansion is fueled by stringent new building safety codes, heightened awareness of asset protection in industrial settings, and the widespread adoption of intumescent and cementitious coating technologies across the construction, oil & gas, and manufacturing sectors.

As the world intensifies its focus on passive fire protection to safeguard lives and infrastructure, industry leaders are innovating with advanced, eco-friendly formulations that provide longer fire resistance and enhanced durability. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Surface Fire Protection Coating Industry—a dynamic mix of global chemical giants, specialty manufacturers, and regional champions driving the evolution of fire safety solutions.


🔟 1. Akzo Nobel N.V.

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Chartek intumescent coatings, Interchar products

Akzo Nobel, through its renowned brand International®, is a global powerhouse in protective coatings. Their Chartek line of epoxy intumescent coatings is an industry benchmark for protecting structural steel in extreme environments, such as offshore platforms and chemical plants. The company invests heavily in R&D to enhance the performance and sustainability of its fireproofing solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of low-VOC and water-based intumescent coatings

  • Commitment to carbon-neutral operations by 2050

  • Partnerships with green building certification programs worldwide

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Surface Fire Protection Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. PPG Industries, Inc.

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Pitt-Char intumescent coatings, Firetex products

PPG Industries is a leading supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials, with a strong portfolio in passive fire protection. Their Pitt-Char and Firetex brands offer robust solutions for structural steel, providing critical resistance in commercial high-rises, infrastructure projects, and industrial facilities. PPG’s global distribution network ensures product availability and technical support across diverse markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Innovation in halogen-free fire retardant coatings

  • Focus on reducing the environmental footprint of coating systems


8️⃣ 3. The Sherwin-Williams Company

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: FIRETEX intumescent coatings, WeatherXL systems

Sherwin-Williams is a dominant force in the architectural and industrial coatings market. Its acquisition of Valspar significantly expanded its fire protection capabilities. The FIRETEX product line is globally recognized for its thin-film intumescent coatings that expand when exposed to heat, forming an insulating char to protect structural integrity for up to 120 minutes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in high-solids and water-based coating technologies

  • Active participation in developing international fire safety standards


7️⃣ 4. Jotun Group

Headquarters: Sandefjord, Norway
Key Offering: Steelmaster intumescent coatings, Fenomastic products

Jotun is a major international producer of paints, coatings, and powder coatings, with a significant presence in the marine and protective segments. Their Steelmaster range offers excellent fire protection for structural steel in aggressive environments, combining corrosion protection with proven fire resistance. Jotun’s solutions are widely used in the energy, infrastructure, and maritime sectors.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of the GreenSteps framework for sustainable product formulation

  • Global initiatives to reduce solvent emissions from coating operations

Download FREE Sample Report:
Surface Fire Protection Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Hempel A/S

Headquarters: Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offering: Hempafire intumescent coatings, Hempathane products

Hempel is a world-leading supplier of decorative, protective, and marine coatings. The company’s Hempafire range provides certified fire protection for structural steelwork in buildings and industrial plants. Hempel is known for its strong technical service and customized solutions tailored to specific project requirements and environmental conditions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Doubling of R&D investment in sustainable solutions by 2025

  • Commitment to science-based targets for emissions reduction


5️⃣ 6. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: MasterProtect fire protection coatings, Styropor flame-retardant materials

BASF, the world’s largest chemical producer, offers a comprehensive range of fire protection solutions, including intumescent coatings and innovative flame retardants. Their expertise in polymer chemistry enables the development of high-performance coatings that meet the most demanding fire safety standards for construction and industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering bio-based raw materials for coating formulations

  • Integrated approach to carbon management across the value chain


4️⃣ 7. RPM International Inc.

Headquarters: Medina, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Carboline fireproofing systems, Tremco illbruck products

RPM International is a global leader in specialty coatings, sealants, and building materials. Its subsidiary, Carboline, is renowned for its high-performance fire protection systems, including phenolic intumescent coatings used in hydrocarbon fire scenarios. RPM’s diverse portfolio caters to a wide spectrum of fire resistance needs, from standard building fires to extreme industrial hazards.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of eco-friendly product lines under the RPM Eco-Care Initiative

  • Investment in manufacturing processes that reduce waste and energy consumption


3️⃣ 8. Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Albi fireproof coatings, Protec products

Kansai Paint is one of the leading paint manufacturers globally, with a strong focus on automotive and industrial coatings. The company has a significant footprint in fire protection coatings, particularly in the Asian market. Their products are engineered to provide reliable protection for structural steel in high-rise buildings and public infrastructure, adhering to Japan’s rigorous safety standards.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of coatings with improved recyclability

  • Focus on reducing hazardous substances in product formulations


2️⃣ 9. 3M Company

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: 3M Fire Barrier Pass-Through Systems, flame retardant additives

3M is a diversified technology company with a substantial presence in the fire safety sector through its specialty materials and adhesive technologies. While not a traditional paint company, 3M provides critical fire protection solutions, including innovative tapes, sheets, and mastiks that seal openings and protect surfaces, complemented by its range of fire retardant additives for other coating manufacturers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

  • Investment in circular economy solutions for its products


1️⃣ 10. Contego International Inc.

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Fendolite MII cementitious coatings, fireproofing sprays

Contego International is a specialist in passive fire protection, offering a range of cementitious and intumescent coatings. The company’s Fendolite MII product is a lightweight, vermiculite-based coating widely used for insulating structural steel. Contego’s focus on the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries makes it a key player in protecting assets against severe hydrocarbon fires.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of low-dust application products to improve occupational health

  • Use of natural minerals like vermiculite in coating formulations

Get Full Report Here:
Surface Fire Protection Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🏗️ Outlook: The Future of Surface Fire Protection Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The surface fire protection coating market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional cementitious and intumescent coatings continue to dominate, the industry is rapidly embracing smart coatings, nanotechnology, and bio-based formulations to enhance performance, durability, and environmental compatibility.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Increasing stringency of international building codes (e.g., IBC, Eurocode) requiring higher fire resistance ratings

  • Rising demand for thin-film intumescent coatings in commercial construction for aesthetic and space-saving benefits

  • Development of hybrid coatings that combine fire resistance with additional functionalities like corrosion protection and thermal insulation

  • Growing adoption of water-borne and powder coatings driven by VOC emission regulations

Get Full Report Here:
Surface Fire Protection Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying products; they are delivering integrated safety systems that form the backbone of modern fire protection strategies, ensuring resilience for the built environment of tomorrow.