In 2025, the total national production of coatings was 34.602 million tons, a decrease of 7.1% compared to the previous year

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On March 6, the China Coatings Industry Association released a brief report on the economic performance of China’s coatings industry for 2025, showing that in that year the total national production of coatings was 34.602 million tons, a decrease of 7.1% compared to the previous year； Main business revenue was 388.15 billion yuan, a 3.9% decrease year-on-year ； The total profit amounted to 29.25 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 11.5%. The average price is 11,200 yuan per ton, a decrease of 3.15% on a year-on-year basis. In terms of exports, by 2025 the total export volume of the coatings industry was 407,700 tons, representing a year-on-year increase of 21.99%; the total export value was 1.215 billion US dollars, with a year-on-year increase of 14.28%. In 2025, the total export volume of titanium dioxide was 1.8169 million tons, a decrease of 4.36% compared to the previous year; the total export value was 3.579 billion US dollars, representing a decline of 14.33% on a year-on-year basis. Among them, 366,500 tons of titanium dioxide produced by the chlorination method were exported, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.03%; this accounted for 50.42% of the total production volume. The total export value was 763 million US dollars, showing a year-on-year decrease of 6.60% ； The export volume of titanium dioxide produced by the sulfuric acid method reached 1.4505 million tons, a decrease of 6.67% on a year-on-year basis; the total export value was 2.815 billion US dollars, representing a 16.21% decline compared to the previous year. The overall export situation is showing a slow recovery. By 2025, the export volume of iron oxide pigments reached 309,300 tons, a decrease of 8.77% on a year-on-year basis; the total export value was 287 million US dollars, representing a 11.52% decline year-on-year. The export situation remains sluggish. In terms of imports, in 2025 the total import volume for the coating industry was 150,900 tons, a decrease of 8.01% on a year-on-year basis. The total import value was 2.01 billion US dollars, representing an increase of 11.12% compared to the previous year. In 2025, the total import volume of titanium dioxide was 74,500 tons, a decrease of 18.92% on a year-on-year basis; the total import value was 242 million US dollars, representing a decline of 21.23% compared to the previous year. Among them, 44,400 tons of titanium dioxide produced by chlorination methods were imported, a decrease of 26.67% on a year-on-year basis; the total import value was 134 million US dollars, representing a decline of 29.86% compared to the previous year ； The import volume of titanium dioxide produced by the sulfuric acid method was 30,200 tons, a decrease of 3.99% on a year-on-year basis; the total import value was 108 million US dollars, a decline of 6.98% compared to the previous year. In 2025, 191,700 tons of iron oxide pigments were imported, a decrease of 3.38% compared to the previous year; the total import value was 76 million US dollars, representing a decline of 6.38% on a year-on-year basis. What impact does the upheaval in the Middle East have on the coatings industry? The briefing noted that on February 28, 2026, a conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran broke out, with the situation rapidly spreading to countries in the Middle East, causing severe impacts on global markets and regional security. The impact of this geopolitical conflict on the supply chain of the coatings industry is primarily felt in areas such as energy, methanol, and sulfur. 23% of global liquefied petroleum gas, 20% of liquefied natural gas, and one-third of crude oil must be transported through the Strait of Hormuz for supply. Changes in the Middle East will have an immediate impact on international energy supplies as well as on industries such as olefins and aromatics, leading to price increases and a significant rise in the costs associated with the paint and pigment industry chains. Over 60% of China’s methanol imports come from Iran, and 32% of global methanol trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to supply will cause sharp fluctuations in prices within the global methanol industry. Prices in industries that rely on methanol as a raw material, such as those producing olefins and acrylics, are likely to rise rapidly, which is beneficial for China’s coal-based chemical industry. However, the supply chains and costs in the paint industry will face short-term pressures. China is a major importer of sulfur, with the Middle East being its main source. Transport issues in the Strait of Hormuz will directly drive up domestic sulfur prices, further boosting the already rising costs in the sulfuric acid industry. This, in turn, will increase the costs of industries that rely on sulfuric acid as a key raw material, such as titanium dioxide and iron oxide-based pigments, leading to an upward trend in market prices in the short term.