The Global Water-borne Protective Coatings Market was valued at USD 35.2 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 48.9 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This robust growth is fueled by stringent environmental regulations like VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emission limits, escalating demand for sustainable construction materials, and expanding infrastructure development across emerging economies.
As industries worldwide pivot toward eco-friendly and high-performance coating solutions, the focus intensifies on the key manufacturers pioneering innovation in formulation, durability, and application efficiency. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Water-borne Protective Coatings Industry—global leaders and innovators shaping the future of protective surface technology.
Download FREE Sample Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Water-borne Protective Coatings Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🔟 1. Akzo Nobel N.V.
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Epoxy, Polyurethane, and Acrylic Water-borne Coatings
Akzo Nobel, operating through its renowned brands like International Paint and Sikkens, is a global powerhouse in protective and marine coatings. The company leads in developing low-VOC, high-performance water-borne solutions for heavy-duty infrastructure, energy, and industrial applications.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Target of 50% revenue from sustainable solutions by 2030
-
Pioneering carbon-neutral coating product lines
-
Major R&D investments in bio-based raw materials
9️⃣ 2. PPG Industries, Inc.
Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: PPG AQUAPON, CORAGARD, and other water-borne systems
PPG Industries is a dominant force with a comprehensive portfolio of water-borne coatings for commercial architecture, industrial maintenance, and automotive sectors. The company’s innovations focus on enhancing corrosion resistance and application efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
40% of sales from sustainably advantaged products
-
Commitment to reduce water and energy intensity in manufacturing
Download FREE Sample Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Water-borne Protective Coatings Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report
8️⃣ 3. The Sherwin-Williams Company
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Water-borne epoxy, urethane, and acrylic coatings
Sherwin-Williams offers one of the industry’s broadest lines of water-borne protective coatings under brands like Sher-Cryl and AquaSET. The company provides advanced solutions for concrete protection, industrial flooring, and structural steel across diverse end-use sectors.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Development of zero-VOC water-borne coatings
-
Strategic acquisitions to bolster sustainable technology portfolio
7️⃣ 4. The Valspar Corporation (Sherwin-Williams)
Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Industrial and packaging water-borne coatings
Now a part of Sherwin-Williams, Valspar continues to be a major innovator in water-borne technologies for wood, coil, and general industrial applications. The company excels in formulations that offer superior durability with minimal ecological footprint.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Integration into Sherwin-Williams’ sustainability framework
-
Focus on VOC-compliant coatings for global markets
6️⃣ 5. Jotun A/S
Headquarters: Sandefjord, Norway
Key Offering: Jotashield, Jotatemp, and other protective systems
Jotun is a world-leading supplier of protective coatings with a strong emphasis on water-borne technologies for the marine, offshore, and infrastructure sectors. Their products are engineered for extreme environments and long-term asset protection.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Science-based targets for greenhouse gas emissions reduction
-
Investment in antifouling and low-energy curing coatings
5️⃣ 6. Hempel A/S
Headquarters: Lyngby, Denmark
Key Offering: Hempadur, Hempathane water-borne solutions
Hempel specializes in durable protective coatings for wind energy, bridges, and storage tanks. The company is accelerating its shift to water-borne technologies, driven by its Double Impact sustainability strategy aimed at doubling revenue while halving its environmental footprint.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Goal to have 90+% of R&D resources dedicated to sustainable solutions
-
Development of carbon capture-enabled coatings
Download FREE Sample Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Water-borne Protective Coatings Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report
4️⃣ 7. Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Automotive, industrial, and decorative water-borne coatings
Kansai Paint is a major Asian player with significant global reach, particularly in automotive OEM and refinish coatings. The company is expanding its water-borne portfolio to meet stringent environmental standards in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Development of high-solid and water-borne hybrid systems
-
Focus on circular economy principles in product lifecycle
3️⃣ 8. Asian Paints Limited
Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Industrial and decorative water-borne coatings
Asian Paints is a dominant force in the Asia-Pacific region, with a growing industrial coatings division. The company is investing heavily in R&D to develop water-borne solutions tailored for high-humidity and high-temperature climates prevalent in emerging markets.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Water conservation and waste reduction programs in manufacturing
-
Expansion of eco-friendly product lines across all segments
2️⃣ 9. Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Automotive, industrial, and marine coatings
Nippon Paint is one of the largest coatings manufacturers globally, with a strong focus on technological innovation. The company’s water-borne coatings are widely used in automotive manufacturing, industrial equipment, and building infrastructure, emphasizing durability and environmental compliance.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
Commitment to reduce CO2 emissions across the value chain
-
Development of coatings that contribute to energy efficiency
1️⃣ 10. RPM International Inc.
Headquarters: Medina, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Specialty coatings under Carboline, Tremco brands
RPM International, through its subsidiary Carboline, is a leader in high-performance protective coatings for critical infrastructure. The company offers advanced water-borne epoxy and polyurethane systems for the power, wastewater, and transportation sectors.
Sustainability Initiatives:
-
MAP 2030 sustainability strategy focusing on circular products
-
Investment in R&D for long-lasting, low-maintenance coating systems
Read Full Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Water-borne Protective Coatings Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🌍 Outlook: The Future of Water-borne Protective Coatings Is High-Performance and Eco-Conscious
The water-borne protective coatings market is experiencing a fundamental transformation. While traditional solvent-borne coatings still hold significant market share in certain applications, the industry is rapidly shifting toward water-based technologies that offer superior environmental profiles without compromising performance.
📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:
-
Stringent global regulations phasing out high-VOC solvent-borne coatings
-
Rising demand from infrastructure renewal programs in developed economies
-
Development of bio-based and nanotechnology-enhanced water-borne formulations
-
Growing adoption in emerging markets due to urbanization and industrialization
Read Full Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Water-borne Protective Coatings Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies listed above are not only protecting global infrastructure—they’re driving the sustainable transformation of the coatings industry.
- Top 10 Companies in the Beta Barium Borate Crystal Market (2025): Innovators Driving the Future of Photonics - November 17, 2025
- Top 10 Companies in the 2-Anilino-6-Dibutylamino-3-Methylfluoran Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Thermal Printing Innovation - November 17, 2025
- Top 10 Companies in the Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Material Innovation - November 17, 2025
