The Global Primary Driers Market was valued at USD 847.3 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.27 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is being driven by robust demand from the paints and coatings industry, expansion of the packaging sector, and the accelerating adoption of eco-friendly, heavy-metal-free alternatives in response to stringent global regulations.

As the chemical industry pivots toward sustainable and high-performance formulations, the focus sharpens on the key additive suppliers who are pioneering innovation in drying catalysts. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Primary Driers Industry—a dynamic mix of global chemical giants and specialized producers shaping the future of coatings and inks.

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🔟 1. Borchers, a Milliken & Company

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Cobalt-based driers, Cobalt-free alternatives (e.g., Borchi® OXY-Coat), Manganese driers

Borchers is a globally recognized leader in performance additives, particularly for the coatings and inks industries. As part of Milliken & Company, it leverages extensive R&D to develop advanced catalytic driers. The company is at the forefront of the shift away from cobalt, offering high-performance, sustainable alternatives that meet evolving regulatory standards without compromising on drying efficiency.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Pioneering cobalt-free catalyst technologies

• Development of specialized drier combinations for high-solid and water-borne systems

• Global technical support and customer collaboration for formulation optimization

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9️⃣ 2. DIC Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Cobalt Driers, Manganese Driers, Zirconium Driers, Composite Drier Systems

DIC Corporation is a major global player in specialty chemicals, with a strong portfolio in additives for printing inks and coatings. Its primary driers are essential components for oxidative curing processes. The company’s strength lies in its integrated supply chain and focus on developing products that align with Asia-Pacific and global market demands for both performance and environmental compliance.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Investment in R&D for low-VOC and bio-based additive solutions

• Expansion of product lines to cater to the fast-growing packaging inks market

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8️⃣ 3. Allnex

Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany
Key Offering: Cobalt-based siccatives, Alternative metal driers, Additive packages for industrial coatings

Allnex is a leading global producer of coating resins and additives. Its primary driers business benefits from deep application knowledge and a vast portfolio of binder technologies. The company provides tailored drier solutions that are optimized for use with its extensive range of alkyd and other oxidative-curing resins, offering customers a complete formulation package.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of synergistic drier systems for enhanced performance

• Focus on compliance with European REACH and other regulatory frameworks

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7️⃣ 4. Eastman Chemical Company

Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Metal carboxylates, Cobalt replacements, Driers for architectural and industrial coatings

Eastman brings its significant expertise in specialty chemicals to the primary driers market. The company offers a range of metal-based catalysts that accelerate the drying of paints and inks. Eastman is actively involved in developing next-generation solutions that address the industry’s need for safer, more sustainable drying agents, particularly for the North American and European markets.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Research into non-cobalt metal complexes and organic catalysts

• Collaboration with formulators to solve specific application challenges

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Primary Driers Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Arxada

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: Manganese-based driers, Specialty additives for wood coatings and industrial applications

Arxada, formed from the specialty chemicals businesses of Lonza, is a key specialty chemicals supplier with a focus on microbial control and material protection. Its offerings in primary driers include innovative manganese-based solutions that serve as effective alternatives to traditional cobalt systems, particularly in environmentally sensitive applications in Europe.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on biocidal and preservation synergies with drier technology

• Development of products for niche, high-performance coating segments

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5️⃣ 6. Venator Materials PLC

Headquarters: Wynyard Park, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Titanium dioxide, Zirconium driers, Performance additives

Venator is a global chemical company with a strong position in titanium dioxide and performance additives. While TiO2 is its flagship product, its portfolio includes zirconium-based driers that act as effective auxiliary and primary driers. Venator’s strength lies in its global manufacturing footprint and technical expertise in pigment and additive interactions.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Leveraging synergies between pigments and driers for optimized coating performance

• Providing integrated solutions to the global coatings industry

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4️⃣ 7. Patcham

Headquarters: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Full range of metal carboxylates (Co, Mn, Ca, Zr, Zn), Cobalt-free systems

Patcham is a specialized manufacturer of additives for the coatings, inks, and adhesives industries. The company offers a comprehensive range of primary and secondary driers. With a focus on quality and consistency, Patcham serves customers across Europe and other regions, providing tailored solutions and technical support for a variety of drying challenges.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Customized drier blends to meet specific customer formulation requirements

• Ongoing development of environmentally preferred product lines

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3️⃣ 8. Goldstab Organics Pvt. Ltd.

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Cost-effective metal soaps, Driers for the Asian market, PVC stabilizers and additives

Goldstab Organics is a significant player in the Asian market for polymer and coating additives. The company manufactures a range of primary driers that cater to the price-sensitive but rapidly growing coatings industry in India and neighboring countries. Its focus on local production provides a competitive advantage in the region.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Expansion of production capacity to meet rising domestic demand

• Development of products suited for regional climatic conditions and application methods

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2️⃣ 9. Comar Chemicals

Headquarters: Milan, Italy
Key Offering: Metal-based driers, Additives for industrial and decorative paints

Comar Chemicals is an Italian specialty chemical company with a focus on additives for the coatings industry. It produces a variety of metal carboxylates used as primary driers. The company has a strong presence in the European market, serving customers with a emphasis on quality, technical service, and responsiveness to the specific needs of Mediterranean and European formulators.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Adapting product offerings to comply with EU environmental directives

• Strengthening distribution networks across Europe

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1️⃣ 10. Mobel Advanced Petro Chemical Industry

Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
Key Offering: Metal soaps, Driers for regional markets, Petrochemical derivatives

Mobel is a key manufacturer in the Eurasian region, producing a range of chemical products including primary driers. The company serves the growing coatings markets in Turkey, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Its strategic location allows it to act as a vital supplier in a dynamically growing economic corridor, offering products tailored to local industries.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Capitalizing on regional growth in construction and manufacturing

• Investing in production technology to improve product quality and consistency

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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 metal-soap driers still dominate in volume, the industry is heavily investing in eco-friendly alternatives, advanced synergistic blends, and formulations compatible with new coating technologies.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rapid adoption of cobalt-free and heavy-metal-free driers in Europe and North America

• Regulatory push from REACH and similar frameworks phasing out hazardous substances

• Innovation in drier chemistry for water-based and high-solids coatings

• Strong growth in the Asia-Pacific region driven by industrialization and urbanization

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Primary Driers Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only catalyzing the drying of global coatings—they’re spearheading the sustainable evolution of the chemical additives industry.