China Coatings Industry Hits 885.9 Billion Yuan Revenue and 26 Percent Profit Surge in Q1

On May 26, 2025, the China National Coatings Industry Association unveiled its Q1 economic performance report, revealing that the coatings sector produced 7.576 million tons, a slight year-on-year increase of 0.14%. Despite the modest volume growth, total revenue climbed to 88.59 billion yuan, marking a 4.2% increase, while industry-wide profits soared 26.5% to 5.17 billion yuan.

In exports, the coatings sector saw a robust recovery. Export volume surged 30.35% to 89,400 tons, and export value reached $279 million, up 25.10%. However, the pigment segment showed mixed results. Titanium dioxide exports rose 2.21% to nearly 500,000 tons, yet its export revenue dropped 6.22% to $1.019 billion. Iron oxide pigment exports shrank both in volume and value, with shipments falling 11.42% and revenues plunging 17.25%.

These Q1 numbers underscore a notable profitability rebound across the coatings industry, driven by improved cost efficiency and strong international demand, despite ongoing challenges in pigment-related exports. The profit growth rate, far outpacing production volume, suggests a shift toward higher-margin products and better operational control—a positive sign for China’s coatings sector in 2025.