Europe plays a vital role in the global paints and coatings industry. According to current estimates, the European market is valued at EUR 40.6 billion. The largest segment is decorative coatings, which account for EUR 21.8 billion, followed by general industrial coatings, automotive refinish, industrial wood, and powder coatings.
The market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4 % in value and 1.5 % in volume through 2028. This steady growth is driven by innovation, regulatory evolution, and increased demand in construction, mobility, and industry.
Leading producers and regional strengths
The top three producers in Europe, based on 2023 sales, are Akzo Nobel (Netherlands), BASF (Germany) and Jotun (Norway). Together, they play a central role in shaping the regional and global coatings landscape.
In terms of demand, the largest coatings markets in Europe are Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy – collectively representing nearly 50 % of the entire European market. These countries reflect the strong correlation between economic power and coatings demand.
