As sustainability concerns grow around the globe, more environmentally friendly, less toxic options in the coating and construction industry grow in popularity. Between 2018 and 2019 alone, sales of water-based coating grew by 12% globally, making up 25% of the interior trim trade market. 

Water-based coating provides a more environmentally and health friendly option. With 80% water content, this coating meets the less than 3.5 pounds per gallon of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) content requirement set by U.S. and European regulations. Compared to solvent-based coating, it also offers easy cleanup and low odor, making it a great choice for home use. Today, 80% of household paints sold are water-based paints. 

This is also pushed by regulatory changes on the use of VOC. The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the years has set rigorous regulations on VOC use in relation to indoor and outdoor environmental impact. Meanwhile, since the enactment of VOC Solvent Directive in 1999, the European Commission has continued to update the directive and push for tighter VOC limits over the years.

While later-based coating continues to rise in popularity as the more sustainable option, its full adoption requires further innovation to match solvent-based coating in some areas of performance. Innovations in recent years have started to answer these issues of lower durability, longer drying, and higher vulnerability to rusting. The availability of special additives for waterborne solutions, advancements in resin chemistry, and other advancements have significantly improved the performance of water-based coating. Further innovations are in the works, including non-isocyanate development to address aesthetics issues, specific copolymers for better performance, and new additive technologies for easier application.  

While building and construction industry remains the biggest market for water-based coating at 35%, other industries have begun to catch up. Driven by regulatory requirements and consumer demands, the automotive industry has risen to the second place in terms of water-based coating adoption globally. In Indonesia however, the wood industry has taken the second place. 

This and such rise in the building and construction industry has been felt by Bahtera as a specialty chemical distributor. Demands in architectural coating have slowly shifted to water-based coating, especially for indoor application. The local automotive industry however, remains slow in adopting the more environmentally friendly water-based coating. Demands remain concentrated in big players that are bound to more rigorous environmental and safety expectations. 

The rise of water-based coating marks the overall rise of label-free products – products that essentially contain zero harmful chemicals. Starting with the growing movement to eliminate alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) followed by tougher VOC restrictions, the chemicals industry is on a journey to identify and eliminate harmful substances from everyday products. 

Along with our partners such as BASF, one of the global market leaders for raw materials coating, Bahtera continues to push for the adoption of safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly specialty chemicals, especially in Indonesia. We continue to make new sustainable products available in the country, as limited availability has been a significant factor in the delayed adoption.