TATA MOTORS AQUIRES IVECO: will there be repercussions for the paint industry? Tata Motors Announces €3.8 Billion Takeover Bid for IVECO's Commercial Vehicle Division On July 30, Tata Motors announced a voluntary public offer worth €3.8 billion to acquire IVECO's entire commercial vehicle division—including trucks, buses, and powertrain—excluding the defense division, which was sold for €1.7 billion to the Italian group Leonardo. Tata Motors, an Indian multinational headquartered in Mumbai, was founded in 1945 and is now one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automobiles and commercial vehicles. Among its most renowned brands are Tata, Jaguar, and Land Rover, the latter acquired in 2008. Under the terms of the agreement, Tata has committed not to shut down any plants, carry out layoffs, or implement drastic restructuring for at least two years, while maintaining IVECO’s headquarters in Turin (Italy). The scale of this acquisition raises concerns, particularly for t...
PAINT AND COATINGS INDUSTRY:
THE GLOBAL "MEGATRENDS"
The specialized magazine CoatingsTech, the official publication of the American Coatings Association, published an insightful article in its July/August 2025 issue. The piece examines key trends and their impact on the coatings and paints industry, with a particular focus on Europe and Asia.
Below are the main takeaways from the article, which help understand the paths paint and raw material manufacturers are currently following.
The coatings industry in Europe and Asia is being deeply influenced by several megatrends that are shaping society and the techno-economic landscape in the long term.
These trends act both as drivers of innovation and as constraints imposed by external pressures, such as regulations, consumer values, and technological advancements. Companies must navigate this scenario to remain competitive. The main megatrends include environmental sustainability, health awareness, mobility, digitalization, and urbanization.
Environmental Sustainability
In response to increasingly strict environmental regulations—such as the European Union’s Green Deal and REACH—and growing concern over environmental degradation and air quality in Asia, many companies are reformulating products and revising production processes to align with green and circular economy principles.
Key article highlights:
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AkzoNobel has reshaped its product portfolio, expanding its range of water-based and powder coatings designed to reduce VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions and incorporate renewable and bio-based raw materials.
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Hexion Inc. has advanced the development of water-based and high-solids resin systems, replacing fossil fuel-derived chemicals with bio-attributed alternatives to lower their environmental footprint.
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Worlée-Chemie, a resin manufacturer, has developed a series of functionalized resins based on camelina oil, a non-food crop that requires little water and few pesticides. These can be used in alkyd resins, polyurethane systems, and dispersions.
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Evonik, an additive supplier, has introduced a line of 100% plant-based biosurfactants, produced through sugar fermentation. These are fully biodegradable and enhance wetting and color retention properties in water-based coatings.
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Ecoat (France) has secured significant investments (over €21 million) to scale up the production of sustainable, bio-based paint binders designed to replace petrochemical polymers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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DIC Corporation launched water-based barrier coatings in 2023, initially for pilot applications in the Indian market. These coatings aim to enhance oxygen barrier and sealing properties in packaging, while reducing VOC emissions and reliance on petrochemical-based chemicals.
Health Awareness
Growing awareness of health issues is pushing the industry to develop safer formulations, with particular attention to replacing hazardous substances. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated research into antiviral and antibacterial coatings.
Key article highlights:
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BioCote®, based in the UK, is a leading provider of silver-based antimicrobial additives, still dominant in the market and known for their high effectiveness against various viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms.
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Arxada (Switzerland, including Troy Corp.) is developing quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) as alternatives to traditional metal ion-based additives. Its TIME portfolio (Technology for Innovative Micro-Encapsulation) offers controlled-release additives that provide long-term protection against microbial threats, with the potential for label-free coatings.
Mobility
The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and the promotion of sustainable mobility are influencing the coatings sector, which must meet new performance standards for emerging transportation applications.
Key article highlights:
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PPG highlighted its advanced coatings portfolio for EV battery cells, modules, and packs, designed to provide improved fire protection, effective thermal management, and durability.
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Arkema is developing UV-curable dielectric coatings for battery cell protection, optimizing production processes and ensuring insulation.
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Nippon Paint is leveraging its R&D capabilities to innovate in EV coatings, exploring corrosion-resistant and thermally stable coatings for EV battery systems and chassis protection in Japan and other parts of Asia.
Digitalization
Manufacturers are integrating advanced data analytics, IoT sensors, and digital twin simulations into their production systems to optimize efficiency, quality control, and waste reduction.
Key article highlights:
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AkzoNobel has introduced augmented reality (AR) applications that allow customers to preview colors and finishes in virtual environments, enhancing the customer experience. The company also has automated digital testing facilities in the UK to simulate extreme environmental conditions and accelerate product validation.
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Nippon Paint has implemented mobile apps and web platforms enabling customers to explore product ranges, visualize color schemes, and place orders digitally, improving customer engagement.
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PPG has invested in creating digital twin simulation platforms that replicate its production lines using data from IoT sensors for real-time monitoring, enabling predictive maintenance and quality improvement.
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Kansai Paint Co., Ltd (Japan) has adopted a similar approach to PPG for digital twins in manufacturing operations.
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DIC Corp. has embraced the concept of virtual R&D laboratories and simulation tools for rapid prototyping and testing of new formulations in simulated environmental conditions.
Urbanization
Rapid urbanization—with Asia home to seven of the world’s ten largest megacities—is transforming urban landscapes and the demands of the coatings industry.
Key article highlights:
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Kansai Paint has focused on environmentally friendly water-based coatings (due to low VOC content) designed for greater durability. These coatings are optimized for modern urban infrastructure, offering resistance to weathering and common city pollutants in places like Tokyo, Jakarta, and Seoul.
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Jotun has introduced advanced exterior coatings for polluted urban environments that combine low VOC profiles with self-cleaning properties, reducing maintenance costs.
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Nippon Paint has expanded its urban application portfolio with photocatalytic coatings that use photocatalysts to break down pollutants on building surfaces, helping improve air quality in densely populated cities.
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