The Global Primary Driers Market was valued at USD 356.4 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 542.7 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.3% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This growth is being propelled by the expanding global paints and coatings industry, robust construction and infrastructure activities, and the accelerating shift toward sustainable, low-VOC, and heavy-metal-free formulations.

As the industry navigates stringent environmental regulations and evolving end-user demands, the companies leading innovation in primary driers—essential catalysts for oxidative drying in alkyd paints, varnishes, and inks—are gaining strategic importance. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Primary Driers Industry—a mix of global chemical leaders, specialized additive manufacturers, and sustainability-focused innovators shaping the future of surface coatings.

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🔟 1. Allnex

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Comprehensive portfolio of Cobalt-based Primary Driers, Manganese Driers, and Cobalt-Free Alternatives

Allnex is a global leader in sustainable coating resins and additives, including a wide range of primary driers. With a legacy of innovation and a strong presence across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, Allnex supplies critical drying catalysts to major paint, ink, and industrial coatings manufacturers. The company consistently focuses on developing high-performance and environmentally compliant solutions to meet evolving market standards.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Leading R&D in heavy-metal reduction and non-toxic drier technologies
• Strong supply chain integration supporting global demand
• Strategic focus on water-based and low-VOC compatible systems

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Primary Driers Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Borchers (A Milliken & Company Brand)

Headquarters: Westlake, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Borchi® OXY Coat line, including high-performance Cobalt-free and Manganese-based Primary Driers

Borchers is recognized as a pioneer in developing sustainable additives for the coatings industry. The company’s Borchi OXY Coat line includes advanced primary driers designed to replace conventional cobalt systems without sacrificing drying performance. Their proprietary technology is widely adopted in architectural, industrial, and protective coatings seeking compliance with strict environmental regulations.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Pioneering non-cobalt oxidative catalysts through patented technology
• Focus on reducing VOC emissions and improving coating durability
• Close collaboration with formulators to develop application-specific solutions

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8️⃣ 3. DIC Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: DICNATE™ Primary Driers, including Cobalt, Calcium, and Zirconium types

DIC Corporation is a major force in the global chemical industry, with a significant footprint in the Asia-Pacific primary driers market. Leveraging its vertical integration from raw materials to finished additives, DIC provides cost-competitive and reliable drier solutions. The company’s extensive portfolio serves the booming paints and printing inks industries across Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Dominant supplier in the high-growth Asia-Pacific region
• Investment in bio-based raw materials for greener formulations
• Strong technical service supporting regional coating manufacturers

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7️⃣ 4. Venator Materials PLC

Headquarters: Wynyard, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Diverse range of performance additives including Primary Driers under brands like HOMBITAN® and TIOXIDE®

Venator is a leading global chemical company with a strong portfolio in titanium dioxide and performance additives, including primary driers. With manufacturing sites and technical centers worldwide, Venator serves the coatings, plastics, and ink industries. The company is actively engaged in R&D to reduce the environmental impact of its products, focusing on efficient and compliant drying solutions.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Significant R&D investment in non-toxic and efficient catalyst systems
• Global manufacturing footprint ensuring consistent supply
• Integrated solutions combining driers with other performance additives

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Primary Driers Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Arxada (Formerly Lonza Specialty Chemicals)

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: Specialty biocides and performance additives, including Primary Driers for wood and industrial coatings

Arxada, with its rich heritage in specialty chemicals, provides essential additives for the protection and performance of coatings. Their primary driers are integral to formulations requiring specific drying profiles and enhanced film properties, particularly in wood coatings and industrial maintenance paints. Arxada’s focus on sustainability drives its development of safer and more effective additive solutions.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Expertise in additives for durable and protective coating systems
• Commitment to sustainable chemistry and regulatory compliance
• Strong presence in the European industrial coatings segment

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5️⃣ 6. Eastman Chemical Company

Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Specialty additives and solvents that complement primary drier systems

While not exclusively a primary drier manufacturer, Eastman is a key player in the coatings additives ecosystem. The company produces specialized chemicals and solvents that are critical components in paint and ink formulations where primary driers function. Eastman’s innovations in coalescents and specialty esters enhance the performance and efficiency of drying catalyst systems, particularly in low-VOC applications.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Development of enabling technologies for next-generation, sustainable coatings
• Strong focus on circular economy and bio-based materials
• Global technical support network for formulators

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4️⃣ 7. Goldstab Organics Pvt. Ltd.

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Cost-effective Primary Driers, including Cobalt Octoate, Calcium Octoate, and Zirconium Octoate

Goldstab Organics is a prominent Indian manufacturer of metallic soaps and primary driers, serving the domestic and international coatings market. The company has carved a niche by offering reliable, high-quality additives at competitive prices. Goldstab’s product line is crucial for the fast-growing architectural paints sector in India and other emerging economies.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Key supplier to India’s booming paint and coatings industry
• Focus on affordability and consistent quality for volume-driven markets
• Expanding production capacity to meet rising local and export demand

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3️⃣ 8. Patcham (UK) Ltd (Part of the Patcham Group)

Headquarters: Heywood, United Kingdom
Key Offering: FENTACURE® range of Primary and Secondary Driers, including specialized blends

Patcham is a UK-based specialty chemical manufacturer with a strong reputation in the coatings and inks industries. Their FENTACURE product line includes a variety of primary driers known for their consistency and performance. The company specializes in customized solutions and blends, working closely with customers to address specific drying challenges in diverse applications.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Expertise in customized drier blends and technical service
• Strong focus on the European printing inks and industrial coatings markets
• Commitment to product consistency and supply reliability

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2️⃣ 9. Comar Chemicals

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, India
Key Offering: Comprehensive range of Metallic Soaps and Primary Driers (Cobalt, Manganese, Calcium)

Comar Chemicals is a significant Indian player in the production of metallic-based additives, including primary driers. The company serves a wide array of industries, with coatings being a primary vertical. Comar leverages local manufacturing advantages to supply both the price-sensitive domestic market and export regions, emphasizing quality control and customer service.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Catering to the high-volume, cost-conscious segments of the coatings market
• Expanding product portfolio to include more sustainable alternatives
• Strategic growth within the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions

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1️⃣ 10. Delta Specialties (A Palmer Holland Company)

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Distribution and supply of a wide range of Specialty Chemicals, including Primary Driers

Delta Specialties operates as a crucial link in the North American chemical supply chain, specializing in the distribution of performance additives to the coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) industries. As a key distributor for several primary drier manufacturers, Delta provides essential market access, technical support, and reliable logistics, ensuring a steady supply to formulators across the continent.

Innovation & Market Focus:

• Vital distribution partner connecting global producers with North American formulators
• Deep technical knowledge of additive applications in coatings
• Responsive supply chain management for critical raw materials

Get Full Report Here: Global Primary Driers Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Primary Driers Is Sustainable and High-Performance

The primary driers market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional cobalt-based systems remain vital for performance, the industry is investing heavily in eco-friendly alternatives, bio-based raw materials, and advanced hybrid catalyst technologies to meet stringent global regulations.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rapid development and adoption of Cobalt-free primary drier systems, especially in Europe and North America
• Increasing regulatory pressure (REACH, EPA) driving reformulation toward heavy-metal-free solutions
• Growth in water-based and high-solids coatings requiring compatible, efficient drying catalysts
• Strategic expansions and partnerships in the high-growth Asia-Pacific region to capture rising demand

Get Full Report Here: Global Primary Driers Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential catalysts to the global coatings industry—they are at the forefront of developing the sustainable and high-performance solutions that will define the future of surface protection and decoration.