LONDON - IRL has launched a new edition of its regional title, A Profile of the West European Paint Industry. The updated report provides market data for 2013, forecasts for 2018 and gives an overview of the paint industry trends across 16 countries in the region.

The total market for paints and coatings in Western Europe was over 5.6 million tonnes in 2013 and is forecast to rise to more than 6.2 million tonnes by 2018. This is equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%.

On a country-by-country basis, Germany is by far the largest national market, accounting for approximately a quarter of total demand. Ireland, Norway and Finland are the smallest markets in terms of demand. However, these are also some of the fastest-growing markets in Western Europe as well. Norway’s growing oil and gas industry is having a positive impact on coatings demand both domestically as well as in surrounding countries.

Architectural and decorative coatings for consumer and professional uses account for around 60% of the total market, although this proportion varies from country to country. Growth is forecast to be highest in the architectural and powder coatings segments. This growth is being influenced by the recovery in the construction market, causing the architectural sector to grow.

Growth in the protective coatings segment is being boosted by developments in the oil and gas sector and also infrastructural investments, which had been put on hold during the economic downturn. The use of powder coatings is also growing very quickly as a result of technological advances made over the last few years in this sector and increasing awareness of their environmental credentials.

A Profile of the West European Paint Industry gives an insight into the market changes in the past few years, as well as outlining the key trends affecting the decorative and industrial coatings segments for each individual country covered. The scope of the study covers Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. It provides 2013 market data on nine mainstream paints and coatings segments: architectural/decorative, industrial wood coatings, protective coatings, marine coatings, automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinishes, powder coatings, general industrial coatings and plastic coatings. Forecasts on these are also presented for the year 2018.

For additional information about the report, visit www.informationresearch.co.uk.