Australia Industrial Coatings Market Size, Share and Outlook - Growth Analysis Report and Forecast Trends (2026-2035)

Market Overview

The Australia industrial coatings market is a specification-led business in which asset owners, fabricators and shipyards choose systems for durability and compliance rather than price alone. Epoxy and polyurethane protective systems anchor revenue, while powder and coil coatings widen the base through manufacturing and building products.

Three forces shape the outlook: sustained mining, energy and infrastructure maintenance, a naval and marine build-up centred on Western Australia and South Australia, and a shift towards low-solvent and powder technologies as suppliers consolidate globally.

In November 2025, AkzoNobel and Axalta agreed to merge. In June 2026, BlueScope began commissioning a AUD 415 million coating line in Western Sydney, and in August 2026 the Australian Government fixed the Henderson Defence Precinct site.

Key Market Trends and Insights

• Coated steel capacity: BlueScope reported in June 2026 that its new Erskine Park line, costing AUD 415 million, would add 240,000 tonnes of coated steel capacity, lifting local demand for coil coating systems.
• Marine momentum: Hempel reported in March 2026 that its Marine segment grew 9.8% organically in 2025, showing how strongly ship and offshore coating demand is running.
• Protective strength: Jotun said in August 2026 that underlying sales rose 10% in the first half, with protective coatings and South East Asia and Pacific growing fastest.
• Naval build-up: In August 2026, the first Hunter-class frigate keel was laid at Osborne, while a Henderson precinct site was announced for naval work and submarine sustainment.

Australia Industrial Coatings Market Size and Forecast

The market is shifting towards higher-performance, lower-emission systems as asset owners extend maintenance cycles and fabricators adopt powder and water-borne technologies. Epoxy systems remain the largest resin family, with polyurethane topcoats advancing fastest. Solvent-borne coatings keep the biggest share, while powder coatings gain ground. Marine and defence grows quickest among end uses, and mining stays the largest. New South Wales leads, with Western Australia growing fastest on resources, shipbuilding and port work. Supplier consolidation, local capacity additions and defence programs underpin a steady mid-single-digit outlook.

Key Takeaways: Australia Industrial Coatings Market

Maintenance and Build-Out Drive Growth

Revenue is on course to expand by about 49% across the decade, from AUD 2,400.00 million in 2025 to AUD 3,586.89 million in 2035 at a 4.1% CAGR. Recoating cycles, new naval and resources projects and coated steel output make demand durable.

Powder, Polyurethane and Marine Lead

Powder coatings grow at an estimated 5.3% CAGR, polyurethane at 4.8% and marine and defence at 5.8% through 2035. Fabricators favour low-emission finishes, while shipyards and naval programs need certified protective systems.

Global Consolidation Reshapes Supply

Ownership change among the largest suppliers and strong marine results are altering competition. Buyers with long-term maintenance contracts gain from supplier scale and local technical service.

• AkzoNobel and Axalta merger expected to close late 2026 to early 2027
• Hempel Marine segment grew 9.8% organically in 2025
• BlueScope line adds 240,000 tonnes of coating capacity

Australia Industrial Coatings Market Report Summary

Key Insight

Corrosion protection, resources maintenance and shipbuilding underpin steady growth. Epoxy systems lead, while polyurethane, powder and marine coatings advance faster as buyers favour durable, lower-emission finishes.

Key Trends in the Australia Industrial Coatings Market

The Australia industrial coatings market is being shaped by naval and marine investment, new coated steel capacity, strong protective coatings sales and consolidation among global suppliers.

August 2026 - Naval Programs Advance at Osborne and Henderson

• The Department of Defence reported on 31 August 2026 that the keel of the first Hunter-class frigate was laid at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
• The same announcement confirmed the selected site and boundary of the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia.
• The precinct will support naval shipbuilding, sustainment and the support of future nuclear-powered submarines, creating long-term demand for marine and protective coatings.

July 2026 - PPG Reports Double-Digit Protective and Marine Growth

• PPG reported on 28 July 2026 that protective and marine coatings organic sales grew by a double-digit percentage in the second quarter.
• It cited the 13th consecutive quarter of volume growth, including above-market marine volume gains in Asia Pacific.
• PPG's industrial coatings segment net sales rose 7% to USD 1,778 million, with volume growth in all three businesses.

June 2026 - BlueScope Starts Commissioning Its Erskine Park Coating Line

• Trade press reported on 1 June 2026 that BlueScope's new Metal Coating Line 7 in Western Sydney entered commissioning after an AUD 415 million investment.
• The line adds 240,000 tonnes a year of ZINCALUME steel capacity and supports the TRUECORE and COLORBOND brands.
• BlueScope achieved first metal on strip on 6 August 2026 and began ramping up production.

November 2025 - AkzoNobel and Axalta Agree to Merge

• AkzoNobel and Axalta announced an all-stock merger of equals in November 2025, creating a coatings group with an enterprise value of about USD 25 billion.
• The combined company will have dual headquarters in Amsterdam and Philadelphia and a new name to be announced.
• Closing is expected in late 2026 to early 2027, subject to approvals.

Key Insight

Defence shipbuilding, resources upkeep and new coated steel capacity lift specification-grade demand, while global supplier consolidation changes who serves Australian asset owners and fabricators.

Recent Market Developments in the Australia Industrial Coatings Market

Recent developments, presented from the most recent, show suppliers reporting stronger protective and marine sales, refreshing strategy and investing in Australian brands.

August 2026 - Jotun Reports Strong Protective Coatings Growth

• Jotun reported on 20 August 2026 that second quarter operating revenue rose 3.9%, or 11% excluding currency effects.
• First-half operating revenue reached NOK 17,554 million, with underlying growth of 10%.
• The company singled out protective coatings and South East Asia and Pacific as areas of particularly strong underlying growth.

July 2026 - Sherwin-Williams Posts Higher Performance Coatings Sales

• Sherwin-Williams reported second quarter results on 28 July 2026 with net sales up 7.5% to USD 6.79 billion.
• Its Performance Coatings Group net sales rose 6.3% to about USD 1.91 billion.
• General industrial grew at a high single-digit rate, and protective and marine coatings posted a double-digit increase in its paint stores business.

March 2026 - Hempel Reports Record Profitability

• Hempel published its annual report on 4 March 2026, showing 2025 revenue of EUR 2,165 million and organic growth of 3.4%.
• Its Marine segment grew 9.8% organically to EUR 750 million, while Energy and Infrastructure grew 0.1% on weaker oil and gas sales.
• Hempel expects low single-digit organic growth in 2026 and an adjusted EBITDA margin of around 18%.

February 2026 - Dulux Refreshes Its Flagship Exterior Range

• Dulux launched an improved Weathershield formulation with Maxi-Flex Technology in February 2026, supported by a national campaign.
• The brand, owned by Dulux Group, sells through Bunnings, Mitre 10, Home Timber and Hardware, Inspirations Paint, Paint Spot and Dulux Trade Centres.
• Dulux Group also supplies Dulux Protective Coatings to industrial and infrastructure customers.

Key Insight

Leading suppliers report firm protective and marine growth, refresh strategies and strengthen local brands. Capacity additions in coated steel and global deal activity signal confidence in industrial coatings demand.

Australia Industrial Coatings Industry Segmentation

The Expert Market Research’s report on the Australia Industrial Coatings Market offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments.

Market Breakup by Resin Type

• Epoxy
• Polyurethane
• Acrylic
• Polyester
• Alkyd and Others
• Others

Epoxy leads revenue as primer and intermediate coats for steel, tanks, pipelines and concrete in mining and marine settings. Polyurethane grows fastest at an estimated 4.8% CAGR, because durable topcoats retain colour and gloss on structures, a point supported by Jotun's strong protective coatings growth reported in August 2026. Acrylic serves general industrial and infrastructure finishes where cost and speed matter. Polyester dominates powder and coil coatings, and BlueScope's AUD 415 million Erskine Park line in June 2026 expands coated steel output. Alkyd and Others covers silicones, zinc-rich and fluoropolymer systems for niche demand.

Market Breakup by Technology

• Solvent-Borne
• Water-Borne
• Powder Coatings
• High-Solids and UV-Cured
• Others

Solvent-Borne systems keep the largest share because heavy-duty protective specifications still favour them for steel and marine structures. Water-Borne coatings grow steadily as fabricators and building product makers reduce solvent use. Powder Coatings grow fastest at an estimated 5.3% CAGR, supported by fabrication demand and coated metal capacity, including BlueScope's 240,000 tonne line reported in June 2026. Sherwin-Williams reported high single-digit general industrial growth in July 2026. High-Solids and UV-Cured systems suit low-emission, fast-cure applications in controlled factory environments.

Market Breakup by End Use Industry

• Mining and Mineral Processing
• Infrastructure and Construction
• Marine and Defence
• Oil, Gas and Energy
• General Manufacturing and Others
• Others

Mining and Mineral Processing is the largest end use, covering crushers, conveyors, tanks and port loading facilities exposed to abrasion and salt. Infrastructure and Construction relies on bridges, rail, structural steel and coated building products. Marine and Defence grows fastest at an estimated 5.8% CAGR, supported by the Hunter-class keel laid in August 2026 and Hempel's Marine growth of 9.8% reported in March 2026. Oil, Gas and Energy follows LNG, pipeline and renewable assets, although Hempel noted weaker oil and gas sales. General Manufacturing and Others includes machinery, agricultural equipment and transport.

Market Breakup by Region

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Queensland
• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Others

New South Wales dominates through its steel, manufacturing and port base, including BlueScope's Western Sydney coating line, and grows at an estimated 3.8% CAGR through 2035. Victoria follows at 3.7%, anchored by fabrication and the head offices of major paint suppliers. Queensland grows at 4.2% on resources and infrastructure. Western Australia is the fastest-growing region at an estimated 5.1%, driven by mining, LNG and the Henderson Defence Precinct site confirmed in August 2026. South Australia grows at 4.6% as Hunter-class construction progresses at Osborne. Others covers Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory at 3.6%.

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If you choose to purchase the full report at a later stage, the amount already paid will be adjusted, and you will only need to pay the remaining balance.

Competitive Landscape in the Australia Industrial Coatings Market

Competition spans global coatings groups, regional specialists and local brands. Barriers include corrosion-protection specifications, technical service reach, applicator relationships, colour and performance approvals, and the ability to support remote mining and shipyard sites.

PPG

PPG, headquartered in Pittsburgh, supplies protective, marine, industrial and packaging coatings across Asia Pacific, including Australia. On 28 July 2026 it reported second quarter net sales of USD 4,495 million, with double-digit organic growth in protective and marine coatings and above-market marine volume gains in Asia Pacific. Industrial coatings net sales rose 7% to USD 1,778 million.

Jotun

Jotun, headquartered in Sandefjord, Norway, supplies protective, marine, powder and decorative coatings and operates in Australia through Jotun Australia. On 20 August 2026 it reported first-half operating revenue of NOK 17,554 million, up 10% on an underlying basis, with protective coatings and South East Asia and Pacific growing strongly.

Hempel

Hempel, headquartered in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, serves marine, energy, infrastructure and industrial customers and operates in Australia as Hempel (Wattyl) Australia. On 4 March 2026 it reported 2025 revenue of EUR 2,165 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.2%. It launched its Accelerate to Win strategy in January 2026.

Dulux Group

Dulux Group, based in Melbourne and owned by Nippon Paint Holdings, supplies Dulux Protective Coatings alongside its decorative and powder lines to industrial, infrastructure and mining customers. In February 2026 it launched an improved Weathershield formulation with a national campaign. Its products reach customers through Dulux Trade Centres and merchants across Australia.

Other players operating in the Australia industrial coatings market include Sherwin-Williams, AkzoNobel, Axalta, Carboline, and Resene, alongside regional specialists, applicators, powder coaters and distributors supplying protective, marine and general industrial coatings across Australia.

Key Insight

Competition rests on specification approval, technical service and supply reach rather than price alone. Global groups hold scale, while local brands compete through applicator relationships and regional support.