The Asia-Pacific region constitutes the largest demand market, accounting for some 45 percent of the demand for paint and coatings worldwide. The region's commanding share of the market is expected to expand even further, driven by the continued population growth and urbanization in China and India. Architectural paints are one of the major demand areas of the global paints and coatings industry, which are used for decorative and protective purposes for various residential, commercial, industrial, and government buildings.
Research and development in the coatings industry for a variety of very specific applications is very active. To name just a few applications, nanocoatings, hydrophilic (water attracting) coatings, hydrophobic (water repellent) coatings, and antimicrobial coatings are all sub-segments of the industry.
