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Almost all vinyl coatings are based on emulsions of vinyl acetate copolymers,
solvent-based copolymers of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, and polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) dispersions. The emulsions are used mainly in architectural
paints, the solvent-based copolymers in industrial coatings (e.g., anticorrosion
coatings and containers) and the dispersions in industrial applications (mainly
coil, container and transportation coatings). The vinyl coatings industry
consists of suppliers of vinyl resins and formulators of coatings. Practically
all resin is sold on the merchant market; little is consumed captively.
Total global consumption of vinyl resins used in surface coatings was 800–900
thousand metric tons in 2006, worth about $2 billion.
The following pie chart shows consumption of vinyl surface coatings in the
United States, Western Europe and Japan:
In the United States, consumption of vinyl resins for surface coatings will
grow at an average rate of almost 3% per year from 2006 through 2011. Consumption
rose strongly in 2002–2006 because of strong demand for architectural
coatings.
Consumption of vinyl coatings in Western Europe has stagnated in recent years
because of the poor economy, especially in the construction sector. Future
requirements for architectural coatings based on vinyl acetate/vinyl versatate
copolymers will increase slowly, but those based on vinyl acetate/ethylene
copolymers will increase at a more rapid rate because of their low volatile
organic compound (VOC) content.
Demand for vinyl coatings in Japan will be flat or slightly decline from 2006
through 2011. Waterborne coatings will increase by a small amount as the housing
market recovers; however, demand for solvent-based coatings will continue to
decline because of ongoing replacement by more effective and more environmentally
acceptable coatings.
In China, interest grows in vinyl coatings, especially vinyl acetate–based
emulsions. Most vinyl acetate emulsions are used for adhesives, but about 100
thousand metric tons (100% resin basis) of vinyl acetate was used to make homopolymer
and copolymers, and derivatives such as polyvinyl alcohol for coating applications
in 2005.
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