01. Industry Reshaped by Regulation and Supply Chain Shifts
Regulatory Pressure: Globally, regulations are a powerful force behind the industry's transformation. The push for sustainability is evident at industry events like the upcoming Pacific Coatings Show 2025, themed "Painting a Sustainable Future," which will highlight breakthroughs in eco-friendly and bio-based solutions . This is further driven by tightening global regulations on Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions, which are propelling the demand for innovative, environmentally compliant formulations such as low-VOC reactive diluents .
Supply Chain & Costs: The supply chain is under significant stress. A key challenge is the surge in cost and shortage of nitrocellulose (NC), a crucial raw material for solvent-based inks and coatings. Heightened global defense spending has increased demand for NC, which is also used in explosives and propellants, leading to supply constraints. Major ink producers like Flint Group and Sun Chemical have been forced to raise prices for all NC-containing products throughout 2025 .
02. Resin Sector: Bio-Based Breakthroughs and Defense Demands
Bio-Based Commercialization: A landmark achievement in 2025 is the first commercial application of a bio-based epoxy resin coating in the shipbuilding industry. China Paint Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Mitsui Chemicals, has launched the ISCC PLUS-certified CMP NOVA 2000 (Bio). This coating, used on the ballast tanks of a new ammonia carrier, can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 660 kg per ton compared to its petroleum-based counterpart, signaling a major shift toward viable bio-based alternatives in demanding industrial settings .
Performance for Defense: Concurrently, the demand for ultra-high-performance materials is growing in the defense sector. allnex has launched a European Defense Materials Program in 2025, focusing on resin technologies that offer extreme heat and blast resistance, as well as stealth and corrosion protection. The program explores high-speed curing technologies to accelerate the production and repair cycles of defense equipment .
Market Growth: The broader market for advanced materials continues to expand. The global polymer-modified emulsions market, valued at USD 10.8 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3%, driven by demand for high-performance, eco-friendly materials in construction, automotive, and packaging .
03. Ink Industry Navigates the NC Crisis and Circular Economy
Price Adjustments: The nitrocellulose crisis has directly impacted the ink industry. Flint Group announced price increases for all NC-containing products effective August 1, 2025 . Similarly, Sun Chemical has implemented price hikes for its NC-based products in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, citing unprecedented raw material cost inflation .
Shift to Alternatives: In response, companies are accelerating the shift toward NC-free ink technologies. Flint Group is mitigating the challenge by expanding its resin plant in Italy, increasing production capacity for polyurethane and acrylic-based ink systems by 30%. This strengthens its portfolio of NC-free solutions like Vertix® and Matrix® coding inks, which also enhance packaging recyclability .
Innovation for Circularity: Innovation is focused on supporting a circular economy. Sun Chemical has introduced the SunCure EcoPlast series, a dry UV offset ink for plastic cups. Its key innovation is that it can be washed off during the post-consumer recycling process, allowing the plastic to be recycled into new, high-quality containers .
04. Coatings Sector Focuses on Sustainability and Cutting-Edge Tech
Sustainable Raw Materials: The coatings industry is actively decarbonizing its raw materials. In a pioneering move, Beckers Group partnered with synthetic biology company Anodyne Chemistries to develop a renewable version of Hexahydrophthalic Anhydride (HHPA), a key coating ingredient. The project aims to use carbon dioxide as a feedstock, potentially revolutionizing the production of this high-carbon-intensity material .
Efficient Formulations: The reactive diluents market, crucial for formulating low-VOC coatings, is experiencing robust growth. Valued at USD 1.23 billion in 2025, it is projected to reach USD 2.13 billion by 2034 . This growth is fueled by the demand for bio-based and low-VOC diluents that improve curing efficiency and final product durability in sectors like automotive and construction .
Future-Forward Events: The industry's direction is clearly reflected in the themes of major gatherings. The Pacific Coatings Show 2025 will feature sessions on "Reducing the Environmental Impact of Epoxy Resins" and "Sustainable Additives for Water-Based Protective Coatings," underscoring the relentless focus on eco-innovation .
05. Future Outlook: A Greener, More Collaborative Path Forward
The trends of 2025 set the stage for the industry's evolution in the coming years.
Sustainability as Standard: The success of bio-based coatings in demanding applications like marine shipping will pave the way for their wider adoption. The industry's focus will remain on scaling production of sustainable, low-VOC formulations .
Circular Economy Integration: Technologies that enhance recyclability, such as washable inks and coatings that improve fuel efficiency , will transition from innovations to expectations, driven by new regulations and end-user demand.
Deepened Collaboration: The path to innovation will be built on partnerships. The collaboration between resin producers, coating formulators, and technology startups-exemplified by the alliances between Beckers and Anodyne and allnex with its defense partners -will become the essential model for solving complex challenges.