CHINACOAT is a major global platform for coatings and ink industry manufacturers and suppliers, particularly from China and the Asia-Pacific region. CHINACOAT2025 will return to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from Nov. 25-27. Organized by Sinostar-ITE International Limited, CHINACOAT is a key opportunity for industry leaders to meet and learn about the latest developments.

Founded in 1996, this year’s show is the 30th edition of CHINACOAT. Last year’s show, which was held in Guangzhou, brought together 42,070 visitors from 113 countries/regions. Broken down by country, there were 36,839 attendees from China and 5,231 overseas visitors.

As for exhibitors, CHINACOAT2024 set a new record, with 1,325 exhibitors from 30 countries/regions, with 303 (22.9%) new exhibitors.

The Technical Programs are also an important draw for guests. More than 1,200 attendees joined in the 22 technical seminars and one Indonesian market presentation last year.

“This was also the largest Guangzhou edition in our history, underlining its growing international relevance for the global coatings community,” Sinostar-ITE officials noted at the close of last year’s show.

This year’s CHINACOAT looks to build on last year’s success.

Florence Ng, project manager, administration & communications, Sinostar-ITE International Limited, says this will be the most dynamic CHINACOAT yet.

“CHINACOAT2025 is poised to be our most dynamic edition to date, with over 1,420 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions (as of September 23, 2025) already confirmed to exhibit—a 32% increase over the 2023 Shanghai edition and 8% more than the 2024 Guangzhou edition, setting a new benchmark in the show’s history,” Ng adds.

“Returning to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from Nov. 25 – 27, this year’s exhibition will cover 105,100 square meters across 9.5 exhibition halls (Halls E2 – E7, W1 – W4). This represents a 39% growth compared to the 2023 Shanghai edition and 15% more than the 2024 Guangzhou edition — another milestone for CHINACOAT series of exhibition.

“With industry enthusiasm running high, we anticipate visitor registration numbers will largely follow this upward trend, consolidating the exhibition’s status as the industry’s global platform for future tech, as well as underscoring the event’s growing global significance and appeal,” Ng notes. 

CHINACOAT2025 will once again be co-located with SFCHINA2025 — China International Exhibition for Surface Finishing and Coating Products. This creates an all-in-one sourcing destination for professionals across the coatings and surface finishing industries. SFCHINA2025 will feature more than 300 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, adding depth and diversity to visitors’ experience.

“More than just a conventional trade exhibition,” Ng notes. “CHINACOAT2025 serves as a strategic growth platform in the world’s largest coatings market. With China’s manufacturing sector on a steady upward trajectory and a GDP growth target of 5%, the timing is ideal for companies aiming to scale operations, drive innovations and forge meaningful connections.”

The Importance of the Chinese Coatings Industry

In his Asia-Pacific paint and coatings market overview in September 2025’s Coatings World, Douglas Bohn of Orr & Boss Consulting Incorporated estimates that the total Asia Pacific coatings market is 28 billion liters and $88 billion in sales in 2024. Despite its struggles, the China paint and coatings market remains the largest in Asia, with a share of 56% of the business, making it the largest nation for coatings production in the world. 

Bohn cites the Chinese real estate market as a source of concern for the paint and coatings sector.

“The decline in the China real estate market continues to result in lower sales of paint and coatings, especially decorative paint,” Bohn says. “The professional decorative paint market is down significantly since 2021. The decline in the China real estate market has continued this year, and there is no sign of a rebound. Our expectation is that the residential new build portion of the market will be down for several years to come and not recover until the 2030s. The Chinese decorative paint companies that have been most successful are those that have been able to focus on the repaint portion of the market.”

On the plus side, Bohn points to the automotive industry, especially the EV portion of the market.

“Growth this year is not expected to be as fast as in previous years, but it should grow in the 1-2% range,” Bohn says. “Also, protective and marine coatings are expected to see some growth in the 1-2% range as well. Most other segments are showing declines in volume.”

Bohn points out that the Asia Pacific coatings market remains the largest regional market in the world for paint and coatings. 

“Like other regions, it has not grown as fast as in pre-COVID. The reasons for that vary from the decline in the China real estate market, the uncertainty caused by the United States tariff policy, as well as the after-effects of the run-up in inflation that impacted the paint market,” Bohn notes.

“Despite the entire region not growing as quickly as previously, we continue to believe that some of these countries offer good opportunities,” he adds. “India, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia are growing markets with lots of runway for growth due to their growing economies, growing populations, and urbanizing populations.”

In-Person Exhibition

Visitors can look forward to a diverse technical program designed to inform and connect. These include: 

• Five Exhibit Zones, featuring innovations in raw materials, equipment, testing and measurement, powder coatings and UV/EB technologies, each tailored to showcase the latest advancements in its category.

• 30+ Sessions of Technical Seminars & Webinars: To be held both onsite and online, these sessions will spotlight cutting-edge technologies, sustainable solutions and emerging trends by selected exhibitors.

• Country Coatings Industry Presentations: Gain regional insights, especially on the ASEAN region, through two free-of-charge presentations:

– “Thailand Paints & Coatings Industry: Review & Outlook,” presented by Sucharit Rungsimuntoran, committee advisor to the Thai Paint Manufacturers Association (TPMA).

– “Vietnam Coatings & Printing Inks Industry Highlights,” presented by Vuong Bac Dau, vice chairman of the Vietnam Paint – Printing Ink Association (VPIA).

“CHINACOAT2025 embraces the theme, ‘A Global Platform for Future Tech,’ reflecting our commitment to spotlighting cutting-edge technologies for industry professionals around the world,” Ng says. “As a premier gathering for the global coatings community, CHINACOAT continues to serve as a dynamic hub for innovations, collaborations and knowledge exchanges — driving progresses and shaping the future of the sector.”

For more information, please see www.chinacoat.net.