Developments for dispersions for Decorative Paints

There are many developments realized in the past decade, lets start with 2015 & 2016

• In 2015 pure acrylic dispersions enables low-emission interior paints without coalescing agents, improving indoor air quality and aligning with stricter VOC regulations.
• APEO-free vinyl copolymers designed for fire-protection and VAE dispersions compatible with silicate binders expanded application scopes for decorative coatings in demanding environments.
• Europe’s DIY market underwent structural changes, with a growing requirement for professional application services as the proportion of consumers opting out of DIY increased due to aging demographics and shifting lifestyles.
• The Asia-Pacific region overtook Europe and North America to capture over 55 % of global decorative paint demand, driven by booming construction and renovation activity in China, India, and Southeast Asia.
• 2015 saw the launch of VAE VinylChloride terpolymer dispersions tailored for environmentally friendly interior and exterior paints and plaster. Dispersiions are stabilized with both ionic and nonionic protective colloids. It exhibits a medium particle size (~0.7 µm) and is manufactured without alkyl phenol ethoxylates, resulting in very low odor
• VAE debuted as a high-performance binder for flat-through-gloss interior coatings—low VOC (< 5 g/L), APEO-free and GS-11 compliant, offering acrylic-like performance without acrylates.
• VAE for for low-odor, low-VOC flat to mid-sheen paints, and for caulks, sealants and mastics with broad substrate adhesion and cost-performance balance.
• VAE low EM launched in Asia-Pacific/Middle East-Africa, enabling very-low-emission (< 1 g/L VOC), APEO-free interior paints without coalescing aids—featuring high opacity and scrub resistance.

2017–2018: High-Performance & Waterborne Innovations

• UV-curable technologies entered the decorative domain
• Manufacturers ramped up development of waterborne formulations to cut carbon footprints and VOC emissions, spurring demand for climate-controlled paint lines to manage temperature- and humidity-sensitive rheology challenges in large-scale facilities.
• The industry embraced renewable raw materials for binder and additive production, reflecting broader corporate sustainability goals and consumer demand for eco-friendly home improvement products.

2019–2020: Low-VOC & Segment Resilience

• Acrylic resins consolidated market leadership due to their superior UV resistance, color retention, and compatibility with low-VOC, waterborne formulations; the global decorative coatings market was projected to grow from USD 67 billion in 2019 to USD 82.4 billion by 2024. Some VAE-Acrylic binders became also available to the market.
• During the COVID-19 downturn, sustained consumer interest in home décor meant decorative paints cushioned the collapse in industrial coatings demand, with decorative segments demonstrating notable resilience in 2020.

2021–2024: Economic Headwinds & Slow Recovery

M&A activity subsided as large-scale acquisitions gave way to targeted investments, prompting companies to refocus on organic growth through premium, sustainable product lines amid tighter consumer spending and raw material cost pressures

Volume demand for decorative paints across Europe declined around 15 % from its 2021 peak, with the overall market estimated at 4.5 billion litres and €21.1 billion in 2023; a gradual recovery is forecast for 2025, led by Southern European markets like Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Biocide-Free Powder Paints line launched, offering dry-form VAE binders for powder-based wall paints. By mixing with water on-demand, formulators eliminate biocides, cut waste (11 M buckets/year), and adjust quality and shade profiles easily.

This DPP technology was commercialized across Europe, enabling DIY and professional markets to use preservative-free, low-emission decorative coatings—stored and transported as powders.

2025

Next-Generation Dispersions

New styrene-acrylic and VAE dispersions incorporate 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA) as the hydrophobic soft monomer, delivering significantly higher water resistance than conventional butyl acrylate-based systems. Moreover, VAE offers a unique Water vapor permeability.

High-pH and Biocide-Free Formulations

Innovative binders now achieve stability at pH levels up to 11.4, enabling silicate-based and biocide-free wall paints. This high-alkali resilience reduces reliance on preservatives like MIT and minimizes in-can fouling.

Enhanced Durability and Mechanical Performance

Modern styrene-acrylic emulsions offer outstanding wet abrasion resistance, excellent adhesion on diverse substrates, and robust UV stability—key factors for long-lasting decorative finishes.3

Low-Temperature Film Formation

Advanced formulations exhibit very low minimum film-forming temperatures (often below 5 °C), allowing paint makers to eliminate or drastically reduce coalescing agents and maintain strong film integrity in cooler conditions.

Regulatory-Driven Sustainability

Recent styrene-acrylic resins for decorative paints are free of APEO emulsifiers, plasticizers, solvents, and ammonia. Their improved shear and aging stability also align with tightening environmental and health regulations.