Top 10 Companies in the Coating Pretreatment Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Global Manufacturing

In Business Insights
December 25, 2025


The Global Coating Pretreatment Market was valued at USD 2,912.68 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3,539.12 Million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.30% during the forecast period (2024–2029). This steady growth is primarily driven by the expansion of the automotive, construction, and appliance industries, alongside the increasing demand for durable and corrosion-resistant finishes that comply with stringent environmental regulations.

As manufacturers worldwide prioritize surface quality and longevity, the essential first step of coating pretreatment becomes a critical focus area. This process ensures superior adhesion, corrosion protection, and the overall performance of final coatings. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Coating Pretreatment Industry—a group of chemical specialists and coatings giants that are shaping the future of surface treatment technologies.


🔟 1. Chemetall GmbH (A BASF Brand)

Headquarters: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Key Offering: Gardobond® and Oxsilan® pretreatment chemicals for various metals

Chemetall, a global leader in surface treatment now operating under BASF’s Coatings division, provides advanced pretreatment technologies for the automotive, aerospace, and general industries. Their expertise lies in developing environmentally compliant processes that enhance corrosion resistance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering chrome-free and heavy-metal-free pretreatment solutions

  • Focus on reducing water and energy consumption in application processes

  • Development of low-temperature operating products to reduce carbon footprint

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Coating Pretreatment Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
Key Offering: Bonderite® and Alodine® brand pretreatment solutions

Henkel is a powerhouse in adhesive technologies and surface treatments, with a robust portfolio for metal pretreatment. Their products are critical in automotive assembly lines, appliance manufacturing, and coil coating operations worldwide.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to achieving 100% chrome-free pretreatment portfolios

  • Integration of biodegradable components in chemical formulations


8️⃣ 3. PPG Industries, Inc.

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Full range of pretreatment chemicals for industrial and automotive applications

PPG Industries offers comprehensive surface preparation solutions that complement its market-leading paints and coatings. Their pretreatment systems are designed for efficiency and performance across diverse substrates.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of low-VOC and non-hazardous pretreatment products

  • Focus on closed-loop systems to minimize wastewater


7️⃣ 4. Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Nipsea series of pretreatment chemicals for automotive and industrial use

As one of Asia’s largest paint and coatings manufacturers, Nippon Paint provides integrated pretreatment solutions. Their strong R&D focus ensures products meet the high standards of Japanese automotive and electronics manufacturers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in water-based and eco-friendly pretreatment technologies

  • Partnerships with automotive OEMs to develop sustainable coating processes

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Coating Pretreatment Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. AkzoNobel N.V.

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Interpon® and International® pretreatment systems

AkzoNobel’s expertise in protective coatings is backed by advanced pretreatment technologies. The company serves a broad spectrum of industries, from marine and protective coatings to powder coatings for architectural applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Target of 100% circular use of resources by 2030

  • Development of phosphate-free and nickel-free pretreatment alternatives


5️⃣ 6. The Sherwin-Williams Company

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Broad portfolio of industrial pretreatment chemicals

Sherwin-Williams provides a complete line of surface preparation products, including cleaners, iron and zinc phosphates, and non-phosphate treatments. Their solutions are integral to the company’s full coating system approach.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of low-temperature and energy-efficient pretreatment options

  • Product innovations aimed at reducing environmental impact and waste


4️⃣ 7. Axalta Coating Systems LLC

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Alesta® and Nap-Gard® compatible pretreatment systems

Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, offers specialized pretreatment solutions primarily for the automotive and transportation industries. Their technologies ensure optimal performance of subsequent coating layers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on developing pretreatment chemistries with reduced environmental footprint

  • Collaboration with customers to implement sustainable manufacturing practices


3️⃣ 8. Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Pretreatment chemicals for automotive OEM and refinish markets

Kansai Paint is a major global player with a strong presence in Asia. The company’s pretreatment offerings are closely aligned with its automotive coatings business, providing seamless integration for manufacturing processes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Research into next-generation, environmentally benign pretreatment agents

  • Initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of coating application processes


2️⃣ 9. Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Phosphate-based and chromate-free conversion coatings

Specializing specifically in surface treatment technologies, Nihon Parkerizing is a key supplier to Japanese automotive and electronics manufacturers. The company has deep expertise in zinc and manganese phosphating processes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of heavy-metal-free surface treatment technologies

  • Implementation of wastewater treatment and recycling systems


1️⃣ 10. 3M Company

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Specialty abrasives and surface conditioning products

While not a traditional chemical pretreatment provider, 3M plays a crucial role in the mechanical surface preparation stage. Their abrasive blasting, grinding, and finishing products are essential for creating the ideal substrate profile before chemical treatment.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of reusable and recyclable abrasive media

  • Products designed to reduce waste and improve efficiency in surface preparation

Get Full Report Here: Global Coating Pretreatment Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Coating Pretreatment is Smarter and More Sustainable

The coating pretreatment market is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond basic corrosion protection to become an integral part of smart, sustainable manufacturing. While traditional phosphate and chromate treatments still hold substantial market share, the industry is rapidly innovating with eco-friendly alternatives and process optimizations.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated adoption of chrome-free and heavy-metal-free pretreatment chemistries

  • Integration of pretreatment processes with Industry 4.0 and IoT for real-time monitoring

  • Development of multi-metal treatment solutions for mixed-material assemblies

  • Growing demand for low-temperature and low-energy application processes

Get Full Report Here: Global Coating Pretreatment Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not just supplying chemicals—they are enabling higher quality, longer-lasting products across countless industries while driving the sustainable transformation of global manufacturing.