Water-Borne Inks and Paints Market

Water-Borne Inks and Paints Market Outlook 2025 to 2035

water-borne paints and inks market is projected to grow consistently in the decade span, driven by more stringent environmental regulations, high demand for low-VOC paints, and heightened usage in packaging, automotive, construction, and consumer products markets.

Water-borne paints and inks make use of water as the solvent, and thereby the final product is cleaner and safer than traditional solvent-based offerings. The international water-borne paint and inks market during 2025 is estimated to be around USD 68,904.5 million. It is estimated to be around USD 110,780.3 million by the year 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%.

Metric	Value
Market Size in 2025	USD 68,904.5 million
Projected Market Size in 2035	USD 110,780.3 million
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	4.9%

Water-based paints and inks are becoming increasingly accepted by their reduced environmental impact, enhanced end-user safety, and enhanced performance comparability to solvent-based counterparts. Advances in refining resin chemistry, pigments, and additives continue to support their durability, dry rate, and substrate bonding, placing them more and more into indoor and outdoor applications.

Segmentation Outlook

Acrylic Resins Lead the Market with Versatility and Quick-Drying Capabilities

By Resin Type	Market Share (2025)
Acrylic	49%

Acrylic resins are anticipated to lead the market for water-borne inks and paints by the year 2025 and account for 49% of the overall demand. Their low VOC emission, good color holdout, and fast drying characteristic are attributes that have made them a favorite both for industrial and consumer use.

For example, in architectural coatings, acrylic-based paint finds extensive usage on interior walls because it is long-lasting and can be cleaned easily. In ink printing, aqueous acrylic inks have standard usage on flexible packaging films because they are strongly adherent and resistant without the need for aggressive solvents. Their versatility on a range of surfaces and substrates owing to their wide compatibility renders acrylics a very desirable resin for the new eco-friendly coatings market.

Packaging Sector Drives Demand Amid Sustainability Push and Regulatory Shifts

By Application	Market Share (2025)
Packaging	44%

The packaging sector will dominate the application segment, holding 44% of the global market in 2025. With regulators tightening the screws on solvent-based systems and brands racing to achieve sustainability targets, water-borne inks are the new norm for food-grade and recyclable packaging.

Large FMCG companies are turning to water-based inks for labelling and flexible film printing, remaining compliant without sacrificing visual quality. A prime example is snack food packaging, where water-borne inks are employed to print safely bright branding onto biodegradable films. With the twin whammy of environmentally conscious consumers and changing compliance regulations, the packaging industry remains a growth driver for water-borne solutions demand.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

Drying Time, Humidity Sensitivity, and Cost Parity

Despite improvement, waterborne paints and inks continue to possess flaws such as longer drying times, sensitivity to environmental humidity when applied, and greater initial expense than some solvent-based systems. These properties become application hindrances in the lack of adequate ventilation or curing systems in large-volume industrial use.

Opportunities

Green Building Standards, Food-Safe Inks, and Digital Printing

Mass applications are on the cards since green building certification (i.e., LEED, BREEAM) requires greater low-VOC paints. Food contact ink and biodegradable packaging ink uses are increasing exponentially in volume. Digital and flexographic print transition is also creating high-performance water-based ink demand, predominantly in the FMCG and e-commerce package businesses.

Country-Wise Outlook

United States

The USA is leading innovation in water-borne inks and paints for both sustainability and consumer safety. As EPA regulations grow stricter on VOC content and worker exposure, industrial manufacturers are replacing solvent-based coatings with high-performance water-borne alternatives.

In the printing sector, packaging converters are embracing biodegradable inks for plant-based films, especially in direct-to-consumer brands. DIY-friendly paint brands are leveraging refill stations and washable packaging to meet eco-conscious homeowner needs.

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
USA	4.7%

Germany

Germany’s advanced building efficiency codes and environmental regulations have propelled the demand for water-borne coatings in residential and industrial construction. Manufacturers are using anti-fungal, low-permeability water-based paints in retrofitting old buildings under energy-saving mandates.

Additionally, German automotive suppliers are adopting water-borne paints in EV component finishing and interior trims to reduce manufacturing emissions. Demand is also growing in high-speed flexographic label printing, especially in biodegradable packaging formats.

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Germany	4.5%

China

China has significantly shifted its paint and ink supply chain due to government crackdowns on heavy industrial pollution. Water-borne formulations are being rapidly adopted in packaging plants and public infrastructure projects, particularly in Tier 1 cities. Chinese manufacturers are localizing water-based pigment production and integrating smart ink technologies for QR-coded packaging. The push for green construction and low-emission logistics hubs is also strengthening demand across multiple industrial segments.

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
China	5.1%

India

In India, the transition to water-borne inks and paints is being driven by regulatory shifts, especially in food packaging and low-income housing. As traditional solvent-based paints are phased out in government contracts, water-borne alternatives are finding traction in rural and semi-urban markets. Packaging industries supplying FMCG firms are increasingly investing in food-safe, water-based flexo and gravure inks. Domestic startups are introducing low-cost, refillable water-based paint options for urban redevelopment programs.

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
India	5.4%

Brazil

Brazil is expanding its use of water-borne paints in agricultural equipment, urban sanitation infrastructure, and coastal construction. Humidity-resistant, mold-preventing water-based coatings are being adopted in affordable housing schemes, especially in the Amazon and southern regions. Local print shops are shifting to soy-based and water-emulsified inks due to both health and environmental incentives. Demand for zero-solvent coatings in public schools and hospitals is further accelerating market growth.

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Brazil	4.6%

Competitive Outlook

Tighter ecological legislation, higher need for low-VOC systems, and heightened flexible packaging utilization compelled use of water-borne paint and inks. Industry manufacturers are producing developments in resin chemistry to enhance adhesion, gloss, and drying speeds-particularly onto substrate surfaces such as plastic film, coated paper, and architectural materials.

Industry producers are also including bio-based additives, automatic viscosities, and high-performing pigment dispersion procedures to separate them. In household decoration and food packaging industries, regulatory safety and odorless use are becoming the choice determiners.

Key Company Insights

AkzoNobel (20-24%)

AkzoNobel is unmatched in decorative paints and architectural coatings. Its modular plant program facilitates local production of sustainable paints and its Aquasilk portfolio provides premium-level matte finish for designers seeking depth without shine.

Sherwin-Williams (18-22%)

Sherwin-Williams serves home and infrastructure segments with premium antimicrobial and odor-neutralizing coatings. Its graffiti-resistant water-borne paints serve the public transit and urban architecture categories.

PPG Industries (14-18%)

PPG dominates industrial water-borne coatings with heat-sensitive substrates such as aluminum and coated plastics innovations. Its inorganic growth strategy is building its presence in sustainable packaging inks.

DIC Corporation (10-13%)

DIC is concentrated on packaging print speed and reproducibility. Its AQUA-X series supports high-speed flexo printing on flexible substrates particularly for snack and dairy wrappers where drying efficiency is important.

Siegwerk (7-10%)

Siegwerk is strongest in regulatory-critical segments like food and pharma packaging. With low-migration ink ranges and transparent supply chain tracking, it's gaining traction with multinational FMCG companies under ESG pressure.

Other Key Players (15-20% Combined)

• Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.
• Flint Group
• Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Ltd.
• RPM International Inc.
• Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Tikkurila Oyj (AkzoNobel subsidiary)
• ALTANA AG
• BASF SE (dispersions & pigments)
• Hempel A/S
• Berger Paints India Ltd.

Key Segmentation

By Resin Type:

• Acrylic
• Polyurethane
• Epoxy

By Application:

• Packaging
• Automotive
• Architectural

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• East Asia
• South Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa