China LowVOC Paints Coatings and Adhesives Market

China Low-VOC Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives Market Size

The China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market was valued at USD 10.7 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 11.3 billion in 2025 to USD 17.6 billion in 2034, at a CAGR of 5.1%, according to Global Market Insights Inc.

• In China, a sudden shift in markets regarding low VOC Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives exists that is becoming increasingly regulated by the government in the name of sustainability and environmental compliance. To safeguard air quality and control industrial pollution, especially in the heavily populated urbanized areas, the government has imposed stringent standards for VOC emissions expected from the industries. Now the manufacturers under government rules are being forced to move onto waterborne and low volatile organic compounds from traditional solvent-based improvement.
  
• Urbanization together with large-scale infrastructure in China is bound to drive the growth of the market. With respect to the construction going on in the country, there is growing demand for coatings that are durable and are environmentally friendly. The coatings find themselves used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, where their long-term performance with minimal maintenance remains a key requirement. The automotive sector is of paramount importance as most of its manufacturers are searching for sustainable coating and adhesives concerning international specifications without compromising on performance.
  
• China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market drivers include newer technologies. The preferred characteristics for waterborne coatings are low toxicity and ease of application, while UV-curable are marketed as high-performance products. Hot melt and bio-based adhesives are beginning to find applications in packaging, electronic, and automotive sectors due to their good adhesive strength and reduced impacts on the environment. Chinese firms are also investing heavily in the R&D of advanced formulations including nanotechnology-based coatings with improved resistance to UV, chemicals, and mechanical stress.
  
• The smaller operators cannot comply with the low standards, which calls for an upgrade of their operational facilities to meet these VOC gas regulations, otherwise regional players face closure ahead. Advanced technologies have still not become very openly accessible, giving multinationals a clear competitive edge over the local players.
  

China Low-VOC Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives Market Trends

• China low-VOC paints, coatings and adhesives market is booming, with a very strong push direction towards performance, safety, and sustainability. Among such developments is the emergence of multi-functional coatings, which offer more than basic surface protection. Such protection includes fire, UV, chemical, and mechanical stress. These attributes are needed the most in hard-hit environments, such as plants or offshore platforms, as well as where infrastructure has a lot of traffic. The goal is undoubtedly longer-lasting materials and, thus, materials that require fewer maintenance cycles, for increased safety and operational reliability.
  
• Another significant trend is that coatings and adhesives are devised for specific applications in industries and construction. For example, coastal steel structures have an excellent anti-corrosion coating treatment, while thermal insulation paints have gained strides in new energy-efficient buildings designs. This movement towards customizing approaches is funded both by national research programs and joint undertakings of public institutions and private enterprises, thus sustaining China's competitive edge in innovations in materials science.
  
• This change also involves computerization of coating applications. Smart coatings fitted with sensors can now relay information in real time about wear, temperature, and corrosion. Such data-driven insights feed into increasingly unified digital asset management systems for predictive maintenance that minimizes interruption. This smart turnaround is completely changing the face of infrastructure management and maintenance by rendering it highly efficient and responsive.
  
• In terms of the application technology, the optimum effects are mainly being experienced by mode of robotic and automated systems. This technology involves setting up fully autonomous robotic platforms into large-scale or hazardous environments like bridges, tunnels, and even industrial tanks. Robotic units guarantee precision, uniformity of application, and safety while accelerating project timelines, thus reducing exposure of man-labor to risk. Therefore, while enhancing productivity, quality finishes are also guaranteed on complex surfaces.
  
• Sustainability will continue to lead the trends in the market over the next few years. In very highly regulated environments, waterborne and bio-based formulations would gradually gain traction because these low-emission products promote green building practices and will likely align very well with China's overall climate aspirations.
  

China Low-VOC Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives Market Analysis

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The market by product type is segmented into architectural coatings, industrial coatings, structural adhesives, non-structural adhesives. Structural adhesives generated USD 4.3 billion in 2024.

• Structural adhesives have emerged as the largest and the fastest-growing segment of the low-VOC market in China. Such adhesives are important in industries where strong and durable bonding solutions are required such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and construction. Environmental mandates and advanced performance are the main drivers for the conversion to low-VOC formulations. Modern structural adhesives are generally designed to bond dissimilar materials under thermal and mechanical stress but will remain intact even when exposed to extreme conditions.
  
• Architectural coatings will continue to be essential in establishing a low-VOC market in China for sustainable urban development. Such coatings are now standard in residential and commercial buildings where they can be utilized to create low-emission, water-based solutions that improve indoor air quality and enable buildings to meet green building standards. The increasing requirement for thermal insulation, anti-microbial property, and extended durability, most especially in-built environments such as hospitals, schools, and government buildings, is currently the trend in coatings required by energy efficient constructions.
  
• Industrial coatings are compelled by high-performance protection for automotive machinery manufacturing and heavy machinery. These are developed to withstand very adverse external conditions and comply with increasingly stringent VOC regulations. The high demand for anti-corrosion coatings is primarily seen as they protect the metallic surfaces from moisture, salt, and pollutants. Fire-retardant and chemical-resistant coatings have also begun to gain popularity, especially in high-risk environments like chemical plants and tunnels. In fact, intelligent technology integration—sensor-enabled coatings for predictive maintenance—adds more value to the industrial applications.
  
• Meanwhile, non-structural adhesives are gaining ground among consumables, packaging, furniture, and textiles. Water-based systems or hot-melt adhesives are, in general, used in this category, curing rapidly, having a low odor, and leaving a small footprint in terms of environmental impact. The awareness of consumers concerning the safety and sustainability of products has made way for increased demand for non-toxic, low-emission adhesives. The high adoption of this trend is mainly in e-commerce packaging as well as interior applications due to their ease of use and eco-friendliness.

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Based on technology, the China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market is segmented into water-based technology, powder coating technology, high solids technology, UV-curable and radiation-cure technology, bio-based and renewable technology, hot melt technology. Water-based technology made up 44.7% of the market in 2024.

• Water-based technology has gained momentum due to increasing indoor applications where low emission levels coupled with high air quality are most important. Overall, these formulations are used for load bearing structures as residential, commercial, or institutional since they complement the green construction objectives in China that require cutting down on VOCs.
  
• Powder coating technology has now grown for architectural works, furniture, and infrastructural systems but also for its promise of aesthetically pleasing and very durable performance. Being solvent-free from manufacture to application, it has greater acceptance for metal components and outdoor structures. The absence of solvents makes it particularly attractive to those manufacturers who want to minimize their environmental footprint without sacrificing product quality.
  
• High solids technology is gaining general acceptance for being able to lay down thick protective coats with very low percentages of solvents. Thus, their applications mainly become industrial because durability will always rank as paramount consideration. An emerging niche but spectacular growth of UV-curable and radiation-cure technologies appears in China. These fast-cured coatings, which exhibit harmless properties and have low environmental effects.
  
• Bio and renewable technologies are booming global responses to sustainability-centric movements. These are coatings and adhesives that come from natural sources, have little or no toxicity hazard. Hot-melt technology encompasses various applications, including packaging, textiles, and consumer goods. These adhesives are solvent-free and set very quickly, making them applicable in several areas of use, even in high-speed production systems.
  

Based on functional application, the China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market is segmented into surface protection, decorative and aesthetic, structural bonding, temporary and semi-permanent, specialty functional. Specialty functional lead the market in 2024 with USD 3.7 billion.

• Specialty functional applications in low-VOC markets are appearing rapidly out of demand. These applications include coatings and glues with functionalities such as fire resistance, anti-corrosion, chemical protection, and thermal insulation. Their use includes aerospace, oil & gas, marine, and industrial manufacturing.
  
• Surface protection has also remained a vital segment of the market covering various segments such as construction, automotive, and energy. Scratches have been prevented on surface materials due to moisture, UV, salt, and other pollutants.
  
• An increase in demand for low-VOC paints is attributed to many applications in the growing decorative and aesthetic use in residential and commercial constructions because these paints are used for their less odorous, quality, and green building standards. Adhesives form a very important part of structural bonding applications in automotive, aerospace, and construction applications where adhesives are used to easily link strong and durable bonds under mechanical stress and environmental exposure

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Eastern China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market was accounted for USD 3.7 billion in 2024.

• The market is growing robustly, among which the Eastern China region has the largest and most development-pulling growth dynamics. Developed industrial ecosystems, an advanced infrastructure system, and proximity to vital ports and logistics hubs are all advantages enjoyed by this region. Cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou have been paired with invention and production as host cities for several domestic and international names that catalyse the diffusion of low-VOC technologies into multiple sectors.
  
• The increase in demands for sustainability and legal compliance is impacting the Eastern China market. With stringent environmental regulations, the industry is gradually shifting toward adopting low-VOC, water-based, and high-solids coatings. This change is coming not only by regulation but also demonstrates the industry's common commitment toward minimizing any harm to the environment whilst ensuring quality performance.
  
• Presence of the key industries in manufacturing such as automotive, electronics, and construction-all major consumers of high-performance coatings and adhesives-eastern provinces further consolidate their might. Acknowledging the sustaining interests with these VOC reduction policies at the national level further enhances this region's dimensioning toward water-based, powder, and bio-based formulations. These green alternatives are now finding their place within smart city projects, green building concepts, and industrial refurbishments.
  

The China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034

• Southern China has an important role to play in the low-VOC market growth. This area is characterized as an export-oriented economy with a strong manufacturing base, which has created a large market for low-VOC coatings and adhesives in electronics, furniture, and consumer goods. In fact, waterborne and powder technology development is universal here because of surrounding environmental legislations and the finish requirements of products traded around the world.
  
• The growing areas of the Central and North markets are generally driven by modernizing their infrastructure and industries. In the central provinces of China such as Hunan and Henan, investment in these smart cities and other new forms of public works is creating demand for low-VOC architectural coatings and adhesives.
  
• Potential new markets within Western and Northeast China with very particular needs and growth capacities are also emerging. The western provinces are rich in Sichuan and Chongqing, and benefit from government-driven development projects plus ecology preservation programs. Here, low-VOC coatings are present in infrastructure and energy projects, particularly in remote and eco-sensitive areas.
  

China Low-VOC Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives Market Share

• China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives industry are moderately consolidated with players like Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd., PPG Industries, Inc., AkzoNobel N.V., The Sherwin-Williams Company, BASF SE holding 44% market share.
  
• The leading players in the China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market have been shielding their market positions amid competition through long-term investments in research and development. These companies continue to innovate to comply with evolving environmental and performance standards of array developments. Their interests mainly revolve around multifunctional coatings: formulations that give corrosion resistance, fire protection, chemical durability, weather resistance, and environmental safety in parallel.
  
• To improve the market presence of the coatings, collaborations are being formed strategically with construction companies, industrial developers, and government agencies. This will ensure a wider integration of their coatings into global infrastructures, bridges, tunnels, energy facilities, or public buildings. The collaborations will equally support early-stage involvement in planning through customizing coatings to specific environmental and structural requirements.
  
• This transactional growth trend also indicates the environmental and performance excellence strategies that the industry is undergoing. Given the global transshipment of preference in sustainable construction and industries, the low-VOC segment in China is composed to meet such expectations. Coupling smart technologies with bio-based materials and modern application systems further anchors China in the international coatings and adhesives arena.
  

China Low-VOC Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives Market Companies

Major players operating in the China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives industry are:

• Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.
• PPG Industries Inc.
• AkzoNobel N.V.
• Sherwin-Williams Company
• BASF SE
• Guangdong Carpoly Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Xiangjiang Paint Group
• Shanghai Huayi Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co., Ltd.
• Zhejiang Tiannv Group Co., Ltd.
  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. is engaged in developing low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives and surface technology body systems with a very strong commitment to long-term innovation. For decades, the company has maintained its experience in specialty chemicals and industrial coatings to develop effective solutions to high demands associated with modern infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

PPG Industries, Inc. fosters the development of coatings that balance technical excellence with environmental ethics, so that those coatings can withstand the demands of infrastructure, marine, energy, and transportation applications.

AkzoNobel N.V. applies its know-how in the low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market by its dimension of surface chemistry and innovation for sustainability across broad as well as long time horizons. The age-old firm produces environmentally accepted high-performance solutions for a variety of industrial and infrastructural applications.

Sherwin-Williams Company has established a strong presence by leveraging its global expertise and commitment to high-performance, sustainable solutions. The company is known for its innovative approach, Sherwin-Williams offers a wide range of coatings customized to meet the diverse needs of industrial, commercial, and infrastructure applications across China.

Collectively, the companies demonstrate a collaboration in innovating and refining coating solutions such that the widespread adoption in construction can be made possible to address the issues related to material performance, compatibility, and scalability.

China Low-VOC Paints, Coatings, and Adhesives Industry News

• March 2025 - Microban International announced the launch of AkoTech, a unique, state-of-the-art platform of multifunctional coating technologies that further enhances and protects an extensive variety of products
  
• May 2025 – WEG has announced signing of contract for acquisition or Heresite Protective Coatings, an American company dealing with industrial coatings in the US. Which will strengthen the company’s presence in the coatings market for harsh environments, such as the oil and gas and water treatment sectors.
  
• May 2025 – Fenix Specialty Coatings said that National Coatings Inc, a supplier of high-performance coatings for the general industrial and packaging markets, has been added to the company’s portfolio. The acquisition ultimately enhances Fenix’s production capacity, technical resource capabilities, and geographic coverage.
  

The China low-VOC paints, coatings, and adhesives market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Billion and volume in terms of Kilo tons from 2021–2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Product Category

• Architectural coatings market
  • Ultra-low VOC architectural coatings (≤50 g/l)
    • Interior wall coatings
      • Premium residential applications
      • Commercial and institutional
      • Healthcare and educational facilities
    • Exterior wall coatings
      • Weather-resistant formulations
      • Energy-efficient coatings
      • Self-cleaning technologies
    • Primers and sealers
      • Water-based primer systems
      • Specialty sealing applications
      • Multi-surface compatibility
  • Low VOC architectural coatings (51-100 g/l)
    • Standard interior applications
    • Exterior maintenance coatings
    • DIY and professional markets
  • Conventional low-VOC architectural (101-250 g/l)
    • Transitional products
    • Cost-sensitive applications
    • Rural market focus 
• Industrial coatings market
  • Automotive coatings
    • OEM coatings
      • Electrocoat primers
      • Base coat systems
      • Clear coat technologies
    • Refinish coatings
      • Body shop applications
      • Touch-up systems
      • Color-matching technologies
    • Automotive plastic coatings
      • Interior component coatings
      • Exterior trim applications
      • Functional coatings
• General industrial coatings
  • Metal protective coatings
    • Anti-corrosion systems
    • Powder coating applications
    • High-temperature resistant
  • Wood coatings
    • Furniture finishing systems
    • Flooring applications
    • Outdoor wood protection
  • Plastic and composite coatings
    • Electronics housing
    • Appliance applications
    • Decorative finishes
  • Marine and aerospace coatings
    • Marine protective systems
    • Aerospace primer and topcoats
    • Specialty performance coatings
• Structural adhesives market
  • Epoxy-based structural adhesives
    • High-strength applications
    • Temperature-resistant systems
    • Chemical-resistant formulations
  • Polyurethane structural adhesives
    • Flexible bonding systems
    • Multi-substrate compatibility
    • Weather-resistant properties
  • Acrylic structural adhesives
    • Fast-curing systems
    • Transparent applications
    • UV-resistant formulations
• Non-structural adhesives market
  • Construction adhesives
    • Tile and flooring adhesives
    • Insulation bonding systems
    • Sealant applications
  • Packaging adhesives
    • Food-safe formulations
    • High-speed application systems
    • Recyclable adhesive systems
  • Consumer and craft adhesives
    • Household applications
    • Educational and office use
    • Specialty craft applications

Market, By Technology

• Water-based technology market
  • Acrylic emulsion systems
    • Pure acrylic formulations
    • Styrene-acrylic copolymers
    • Vinyl-acrylic systems
  • Polyurethane dispersion technology
    • Aliphatic polyurethane systems
    • Aromatic polyurethane applications
    • Hybrid PU-acrylic systems
  • Epoxy emulsion systems
    • Two-component water-based epoxy
    • Single-component systems
    • Modified epoxy formulations
  • Alkyd emulsion technology
    • Traditional alkyd modifications
    • Hybrid alkyd-acrylic systems
    • Bio-based alkyd developments 
• Powder coating technology market
  • Thermoset powder coatings
    • Epoxy powder systems
    • Polyester powder coatings
    • Hybrid powder formulations
  • Thermoplastic powder coatings
    • Nylon powder systems
    • PVC powder applications
    • Specialty thermoplastic powders
  • Low-temperature cure powders
    • Energy-efficient systems
    • Heat-sensitive substrate applications
    • Productivity enhancement benefits
• High solids technology market
  • High solids solvent-based systems
    • Reduced VOC formulations
    • Performance maintenance strategies
    • Application method optimization
  • Two-component high solids
    • Epoxy high solids systems
    • Polyurethane high solids
    • Specialty high-performance systems
• UV-curable and radiation-cure technology
  • UV-curable coating systems
    • Acrylate-based UV systems
    • Epoxy-acrylate formulations
    • Specialty UV-cure applications
  • Electron beam curable systems
    • High-speed curing applications
    • Thick film capabilities
    • Specialty industrial uses
• Bio-based and renewable technology
  • Plant-based resin systems
    • Soy-based polyols
    • Castor oil derivatives
    • Other bio-based raw materials
  • Bio-based solvent systems
    • Renewable solvent alternatives
    • Performance comparison analysis
    • Cost-benefit assessment
  • Recycled content formulations
    • Post-consumer recycled materials
    • Post-industrial waste integration
    • Circular economy applications
• Hot melt technology (adhesives)
  • Eva-based hot melt systems
    • Packaging applications
    • Assembly applications
    • Specialty EVA formulations
  • Polyamide hot melt systems
    • High-temperature applications
    • Chemical-resistant properties
    • Specialty industrial uses
  • Reactive hot melt systems
    • Moisture-curing systems
    • UV-curing hot melts
    • Hybrid technologies

Market, By Functional Application

• Surface protection applications
  • Corrosion protection systems
    • Marine environment protection
    • Industrial equipment protection
    • Infrastructure corrosion control
  • Weather protection applications
    • UV radiation resistance
    • Moisture barrier properties
    • Temperature cycling resistance
  • Chemical resistance applications
    • Acid and base resistance
    • Solvent resistance properties
    • Specialized chemical environments
  • Fire protection and retardancy
    • Intumescent coating systems
    • Fire-retardant adhesives
    • Smoke suppression properties 
• Decorative and aesthetic applications
  • Color and appearance enhancement
    • Architectural color systems
    • Automotive color matching
    • Specialty effect coatings
  • Texture and finish applications
    • Smooth finish systems
    • Textured coating applications
    • Specialty surface effects
  • Architectural beautification
    • Historical restoration projects
    • Modern architectural applications
    • Artistic and creative uses
• Structural bonding applications
  • Load-bearing adhesive bonds
    • Construction structural bonding
    • Automotive structural applications
    • Aerospace structural systems
  • Permanent assembly applications
    • Manufacturing assembly lines
    • Durable good production
    • Infrastructure assembly
  • Structural glazing systems
    • Curtain wall applications
    • Window and door systems
    • Specialty glazing projects
• Temporary and semi-permanent applications
  • Removable adhesive systems
    • Label and tape applications
    • Temporary signage systems
    • Repositionable applications
  • Maintenance and repair
    • Temporary repair solutions
    • Maintenance coating systems
    • Emergency application uses
• Specialty functional applications
  • Electrical insulation properties
    • Electronics coating applications
    • Electrical component protection
    • High-voltage applications
  • Thermal management systems
    • Heat dissipation coatings
    • Thermal barrier applications
    • Temperature control systems
  • Anti-microbial and hygienic properties coatings world
    • Healthcare facility applications
    • Food processing environments
    • Public space applications

Market, By End Use

• Construction industry market
  • Residential construction sector
    • New home construction
    • Home renovation and remodeling
    • Multi-family housing projects
    • Affordable housing initiatives
  • Commercial and institutional construction
    • Office building construction
    • Retail and hospitality projects
    • Healthcare facility construction
    • Educational institution projects
  • Infrastructure development projects
    • Transportation infrastructure
    • Utility and energy projects
    • Water treatment facilities
    • Smart city development 
• Automotive industry market
  • Passenger vehicle manufacturing
    • Sedan and hatchback production
    • SUV and crossover manufacturing
    • Electric vehicle production
    • Luxury vehicle segment
  • Commercial vehicle manufacturing
    • Truck and bus production
    • Specialty vehicle manufacturing
    • Agricultural equipment
    • Construction equipment
  • Automotive parts and components
    • Engine component coating
    • Body panel applications
    • Interior component finishing
    • Aftermarket applications
• Manufacturing industry market
  • Heavy machinery manufacturing
    • Industrial equipment production
    • Mining equipment manufacturing
    • Agricultural machinery
    • Construction equipment
  • Electronics and electrical equipment
    • Consumer electronics manufacturing
    • Industrial electronics
    • Telecommunications equipment
    • Renewable energy equipment
  • Appliance manufacturing
    • White goods production
    • Small appliance manufacturing
    • HVAC equipment
    • Kitchen equipment
• Furniture industry market frontiers
  • Residential furniture manufacturing
    • Living room furniture
    • Bedroom furniture
    • Kitchen and dining furniture
    • Storage and organization
  • Office furniture production
    • Desk and workstation manufacturing
    • Seating solutions
    • Storage and filing systems
    • Conference and meeting furniture
  • Specialty furniture applications
    • Outdoor and patio furniture
    • Children's furniture
    • Healthcare furniture
    • Educational furniture
• Packaging industry market
  • Flexible packaging applications
    • Food and beverage packaging
    • Pharmaceutical packaging
    • Consumer goods packaging
    • Industrial packaging
  • Rigid packaging systems
    • Container and bottle manufacturing
    • Box and carton production
    • Specialty packaging applications
  • Label and tape manufacturing
    • Pressure-sensitive labels
    • Industrial tape production
    • Specialty adhesive products
• Marine and aerospace industries
  • Shipbuilding and marine applications
    • Commercial vessel construction
    • Naval and defense applications
    • Offshore platform coating
    • Marine maintenance and repair
  • Aerospace manufacturing
    • Commercial aircraft production
    • Military aircraft applications
    • Space vehicle manufacturing
    • Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO)

The above information is provided for the following country and regions:

• China 
  • Eastern China
  • Southern China
  • Central China
  • Northern China
  • Western China
  • Northeastern China