News

Sector trends

All the news on colour and market trends

01LUG

BASF and Carlyle Complete Coatings Transaction

This transaction, together with the divestiture of the decorative paints business closed in October 2025, values BASF’s entire former Coatings division at an enterprise value of €8.7 billion and an implied 2024 EV/EBITDA multiple before special items of approximately 13x.

01LUG

Surventis Launches as An Independent Global Leader in Automotive Coatings and Surface Treatment

With around €3.9 billion in annual sales, around 10,700 employees and more than 42,000 customers, Surventis ranks among the world's leading suppliers of coatings and surface treatment solutions. Surventis will strategically focus on reliability, quality, service, and performance for its customers.

14MAG

BYK To End Production of Additives Containing PFAS

BYK Additives is actively on the road to achieving a completely PFAS-free product portfolio. The company has committed to sending its last shipment of products containing PFAS by the end of 2025. Even today, the overall percentage of their additives that contain PFAS remains minimal. To ensure a smooth transition, BYK is dedicating considerable research efforts towards developing high-quality replacements for any remaining products containing PFAS.

08MAG

US Tariff Overhaul: Italian Exports Face Significant Headwinds as New Duties Bite

The new measures are viewed as a "deterioration" in trade conditions. Analysts suggest that the only viable path forward is to lobby for these sectors to be included under the 15% "cap" established in the EU-US Framework Agreement of 21 August. Without such an adjustment, Italian components and machinery manufacturers risk losing significant market share in their most vital overseas market.

30MAR

The New Sustainable Competitiveness of Italian Industry: Water Energy’s Press Conference at the Senate

On March 25, 2026, in the Sala Nassirya at Palazzo Madama, seat of the Italian Senate, ipcm® was invited by Water Energy to take part in a technical session focused on industrial sustainability. The initiative, held as part of World Water Day activities, provided an important opportunity for discussion on industrial processes, water resource management, and energy efficiency, bringing together businesses, institutions, and academia.

23MAR

Assovernici Warns That Geopolitical Tensions and Rising Costs Threaten the Paint Sector

Rising geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, are placing increasing strain on the paints and coatings supply chain, according to Assovernici, the Italian association representing leading manufacturers in the sector, which has stepped up monitoring of market developments.

12MAR

Jotun Helps Shape New ISO Standard for Safer and Greener Hull Cleaning

Jotun’s contribution ensures that both coatings and cleaning technologies are considered together, supporting safer and more effective biofouling management globally.

06MAR

Audi Expands AI Deployment to Revolutionise Coating and Production Processes

Audi leverages AI to optimise paint shop operations and boost efficiency across coating processes.

05MAR

LabV publishes whitepaper “Formulating. Testing. Deciding. How digitalization and AI drive innovation in the paint and coatings Industry”

In an environment shaped by stringent regulations, ambitious sustainability goals, and mounting pressure to accelerate innovation, the paints and coatings industry faces complex and evolving challenges. Research and development teams must manage large volumes of data from formulations, trials, and tests, which often remain fragmented and underutilized, slowing decision-making and new product development.

30GEN

Strategic Importance of Advanced Coatings, Rare Earth Magnets and Aerogels Rises Across Global Industries

IDTechEx highlights the strategic role of advanced coatings alongside rare earth magnets and aerogels in global industries.

26GEN

DÖRKEN Secures First Approval for PFAS-Free Zinc Flake System

While regulatory decisions on PFAS may still lie ahead, DÖRKEN says it is well prepared and continues to invest in sustainable alternatives for the future of surface protection.

23GEN

BASF Report: Green And Grey Redefine The 2025 Automotive Colour Landscape

The Color Report for Automotive OEM Coatings by BASF Coatings provides a comprehensive analysis of colour distribution in the global automotive industry, examining both worldwide and regional preferences. The data is based on available information relating to global automotive production and paint application for passenger cars.

20GEN