Top 10 Companies in the Water Based Coating Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Sustainable Surface Solutions

In Business Insights
November 03, 2025


The Global Water Based Coating Market was valued at USD 48.88 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 71.29 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.6% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is being driven by increasingly stringent environmental regulations, rising demand from construction and industrial sectors, and the accelerating adoption of Low-VOC and Eco-Friendly Coating solutions across building facades, equipment manufacturing, and automotive applications.

As the surface protection industry shifts toward sustainable operations and green chemistry, the spotlight is on the key coating manufacturers who are driving innovation, performance, and environmentally responsible formulations. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Water Based Coationg Industry—a mix of chemical giants, specialty coaters, and sustainability pioneers shaping the future of global surface treatments.


🔟 1. BASF Intermediates

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Acronal®, Joncryl®, and Styrofan® water-based polymer dispersions

BASF Intermediates is one of the world’s leading producers of binders and additives for water-based coatings. Their product portfolio serves architectural, industrial, and specialty coatings markets, with growing investments in bio-based raw materials and low-carbon production technologies.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of carbon-balanced polymer dispersions

  • Partnerships with paint manufacturers for sustainable formulations

  • Targeting climate neutrality by 2050

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Water Based Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. AkzoNobel

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Dulux®, International®, and Interpon® water-based coating systems

AkzoNobel operates in over 150 countries and supplies coatings for architectural, protective, and industrial applications. The company is a significant player in low-VOC technology development, aiming to meet both regulatory requirements and customer sustainability targets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • 50% of revenue from sustainable solutions by 2030

  • Investment in waterborne technology centers and R&D facilities


8️⃣ 3. PPG Industries

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: PPG Paints, COMEX®, and Envirocron® water-based products

PPG’s water-based coatings division is expanding its eco-friendly portfolio through partnerships and innovation. The company focuses on performance coatings for automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • EcoVantage waterborne technology platform for architectural coatings

  • Strategic acquisitions to strengthen water-based technology capabilities


7️⃣ 4. RPM International

Headquarters: Medina, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Rust-Oleum®, Tremco®, and Carboline® water-based solutions

RPM International operates through multiple subsidiaries serving construction, industrial, and consumer markets. The company prioritizes R&D investment in next-generation waterborne technologies.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Targeting 100% renewable electricity by 2025

  • MAP 2030 sustainability framework with specific environmental targets

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Water Based Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Sherwin-Williams

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: ProMar® 200, ProClassic® Waterborne, and Kem Aqua water-based systems

Sherwin-Williams is a global leader in paint and coatings manufacturing, with extensive water-based product lines for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Global rollout of zero-VOC architectural coatings

  • Investment in manufacturing capacity expansion for waterborne products


5️⃣ 6. Axalta

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Voltatex®, AquaEC®, and Imron® Industrial Waterborne coatings

Axalta is a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, with a strong focus on waterborne technologies for automotive refinish and industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Sustainable product innovation with focus on circular economy principles

  • Energy efficiency improvements across global manufacturing operations


4️⃣ 7. Nippon Paint

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: NippePaint®, SurfaShield®, and Spot-Less® Waterborne systems

Nippon Paint has a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. The company develops water-based coatings across automotive, decorative, and industrial protective segments.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of waterborne automotive OEM coatings business

  • Expansion of production capacity for water-based coatings in key markets


3️⃣ 8. ICA Group

Headquarters: Civitanova Marche, Italy
Key Offering: Iridea®, Croma®, and Imacolor® waterborne wood coatings

ICA Group specializes in wood coatings and surface treatments, with water-based technologies representing an increasing share of their product portfolio.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Bio-based and renewable raw material development for coatings

  • Development of low-VOC and formaldehyde-free water-based coatings


2️⃣ 9. Coatings & Adhesives Corporation

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: AquaPro Industrial, Decora Waterborne, and ShieldMax Protective coatings

Coatings & Adhesives Corporation serves multiple industries across emerging markets. The company focuses on developing water-based alternatives to solvent-based systems for reduced environmental impact.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Partnerships with raw material suppliers for sustainable sourcing

  • Expansion of manufacturing capabilities for water-based industrial coatings in India and Southeast Asia.


1️⃣ 10. DowDuPont

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Primal, NeoCAR, and TAMOL water-based additives and binders

DowDuPont develops key ingredients and technologies that enable water-based coating formulations across multiple market segments.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of next-generation polymer technologies for enhanced water-based coating performance.

  • Collaboration with paint manufacturers on sustainable formulation development

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Water Based Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Water Based Coating Is Safer and More Sustainable

The water based coating market is undergoing a transformative evolution. While solvent-based coatings still dominate certain industrial segments, the industry is investing heavily in low-VOC alternatives, advanced resin technologies, and sustainable production networks.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated regulatory phase-out of solvent-based systems in developed markets

  • Growing consumer preference for odorless and non-toxic coating solutions

  • Technology advancements in waterborne resin performance and application properties

  • Industry partnerships for developing closed-loop recycling systems for coating materials

Download FREE Sample Report:
Water Based Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying global coating demand—they’re driving the green transformation of surface protection industries.

Get Full Report Here:
Water Based Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report