Top 10 Companies in the Global Primary Driers Market (2026): Market Leaders Driving Innovation

MARKET INSIGHTS

The Global Primary Driers Market was valued at USD 378.2 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 542.7 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This growth is being driven by increasing construction activities, infrastructure development, and rising demand for architectural coatings.

Global Primary Driers Market – View in Detailed Research Report

Primary driers are autoxidation catalysts that accelerate the drying process in paints, inks and coatings by promoting oxidation at the surface layer. These metallic compounds primarily include cobalt, manganese, calcium, and zirconium‑based formulations, with cobalt remaining the most widely used despite environmental concerns.

Market growth is underpinned by expanding construction and automotive activities worldwide, coupled with a shift toward eco‑friendly alternatives such as iron‑based driers. Recent innovations focus on bio‑based and heavy metal‑free formulations, exemplified by Borchers (Milliken) introducing cobalt‑free solutions to address sustainability concerns.

🔟 1️⃣ Allnex

Headquarters: Belgium
Key Offering: Comprehensive cobalt‑based drier portfolio and global distribution network

Allnex remains the benchmark for performance in solvent‑based alkyd systems, commanding approximately 18% of the market in 2024. The company’s extensive R&D pipeline targets low‑VOC, cobalt‑free formulations that meet emerging REACH and VOC regulations.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investing in cobalt‑free catalyst research
• Partnering with coating manufacturers to reduce VOC footprints
• Setting a 2030 target to halve cobalt usage across product lines

9️⃣ 2️⃣ Borchers (Milliken)

Headquarters: United States
Key Offering: Low‑VOC cobalt alternatives and cobalt‑free solutions

Borchers has positioned itself as a sustainability leader by patenting cobalt‑free driers that deliver comparable drying performance while eliminating toxic metal content. The brand’s solutions are now adopted by major North American and European paint manufacturers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing iron‑based and manganese‑based catalysts
• Collaborating with OEMs to certify low‑VOC compliance
• Launching a circular economy program to recycle spent drier catalysts

8️⃣ 3️⃣ DIC Corporation

Headquarters: Japan
Key Offering: Manganese and calcium‑based driers for Asia‑Pacific markets

DIC’s vertical integration with raw‑material suppliers allows it to offer cost‑competitive, high‑performance driers across the Asia‑Pacific region, where solvent‑based coatings still dominate.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Optimizing synthesis routes to reduce energy consumption
• Expanding bio‑based additive co‑formulations
• Investing in regional R&D centers to tailor products for local regulations

7️⃣ 4️⃣ Delta Specialties

Headquarters: United States
Key Offering: Specialty driers for high‑performance industrial coatings

Delta Specialties differentiates itself with application‑specific driers that enhance film durability in harsh environments, catering to the automotive and aerospace sectors.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing biodegradable catalyst carriers
• Implementing a zero‑waste manufacturing process
• Partnering with suppliers to source sustainably grown raw materials

6️⃣ 5️⃣ Eastman

Headquarters: United States
Key Offering: Advanced polymer‑based driers for specialty coatings

Eastman’s portfolio focuses on high‑value applications, including marine and protective coatings, where corrosion resistance and durability are critical.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Reducing VOC emissions through solvent‑free formulations
• Investing in renewable energy for production facilities
• Collaborating with customers to achieve carbon‑neutral supply chains

5️⃣ 6️⃣ K‑Tech

Headquarters: India
Key Offering: Cost‑effective manganese‑based driers for emerging markets

K‑Tech’s focus on affordability and performance has made it a preferred supplier for the fast‑growing Asian construction and automotive sectors.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Optimizing catalyst synthesis to lower CO₂ footprint
• Developing iron‑based driers for low‑toxicity applications
• Implementing waste‑water recycling in production lines

4️⃣ 7️⃣ Arxada

Headquarters: Switzerland
Key Offering: High‑performance calcium‑based driers for European coatings

Arxada’s calcium‑based catalysts are gaining traction in the EU, where stricter metal‑content regulations drive demand for non‑cobalt solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Expanding bio‑based catalyst libraries
• Adopting green chemistry principles in synthesis
• Engaging in cross‑industry partnerships to reduce overall environmental impact

3️⃣ 8️⃣ Venator Materials

Headquarters: United Kingdom
Key Offering: Non‑toxic, heavy‑metal‑free driers for specialty coatings

Venator has allocated over 5% of annual revenue to R&D focused on developing heavy‑metal‑free solutions, positioning it as a leader in green additive technology.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investing in plant‑based catalyst precursors
• Partnering with coating manufacturers to certify zero‑metal content
• Setting a 2028 target to achieve 100% recyclable product packaging

2️⃣ 9️⃣ Goldstab Organics

Headquarters: India
Key Offering: High‑performance driers for industrial and automotive coatings

Goldstab’s focus on performance and low toxicity has earned it a strong foothold in the industrial coatings segment.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing iron‑based catalysts with minimal environmental impact
• Implementing a closed‑loop manufacturing system
• Engaging with industry groups to set global sustainability standards

1️⃣ 10️⃣ Patcham

Headquarters: United Kingdom
Key Offering: Specialty driers for high‑performance architectural coatings

Patcham’s portfolio is tailored for architects and designers who demand both aesthetic quality and environmental compliance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing bio‑based catalyst carriers
• Collaborating with architects to design low‑VOC product lines
• Targeting carbon‑neutral operations by 2030

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Market Outlook

Over the next decade, the Global Primary Driers Market will continue to expand as construction, automotive, and industrial sectors seek efficient, low‑VOC drying solutions. The shift toward eco‑friendly catalysts, driven by regulatory frameworks and consumer preference, will create new opportunities for players that can innovate rapidly while maintaining cost competitiveness.

Emerging Trends

• Rapid adoption of bio‑based and heavy‑metal‑free driers to meet tightening environmental standards.
• Integration of hybrid primary‑secondary drying systems that improve film formation and durability.
• Digitalization of supply chains to enhance traceability and compliance with VOC limits.
• Strategic partnerships between chemical manufacturers and coating developers to accelerate product development.