Water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The market for water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in Austria showed significant growth in 2021, when market volume reached 63 526 t, a 24.7% increase from the previous year. This surge was linked to a rising focus on sustainability and environmental protection, which boosted interest in eco-friendly water-based paints. Simultaneously, new environmentally friendly product segments emerged, and manufacturers intensified development of bio-based coatings compatible with sustainable building materials. In prior years, demand was supported by the construction and infrastructure sector, although the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily reduced activity in the automotive industry, partially affecting the overall market.

A long-term trend in the Austrian market has been greening, starting in 2019 when sales of solvent-based products fell by 5.2% and manufacturers shifted focus toward water-based products. This move toward more ecological solutions continued in subsequent years, with water-based paints already accounting for about 58% of the European market by 2021. Increased demand for acrylic paints in the construction sector, especially for facade and interior work, also contributed to structural changes in favor of water-based products.

After the 2021 peak, market volume declined to 51 013 t in 2022 and further to 40 867 t in 2023, before stabilizing at around 40 921 t in 2024. In value terms, the market size also contracted from USD 161.9 million in 2021 to USD 123.3 million in 2024, reflecting a general slowdown after the post-pandemic recovery.

Production water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Austria, the production value of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes reached 136.8 million US dollars in 2020, marking a slight increase of 1.0% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 135.5 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 144.4 million US dollars. The most significant decline took place in 2019, dropping by 6.2%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018, rising by 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Production of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in Austria grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 47 586 tonnes, reflecting a modest increase of 8.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 8.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production volume was in 2018 at 42 616 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.1% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Exports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from Austria expanded for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volumes amounted to 33 544 tonnes, representing a substantial increase of 22.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 51.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Czechia were the primary markets for Austria's exports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in volume terms. Germany accounted for 33.8% of exports, Italy for 13.1%, and Czechia for 10.6%, collectively representing 57.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from Austria continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 97 188 thousand US dollars, showing a significant rise of 16.6% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 38.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Austria's exports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in value terms were Germany, Italy, and Czechia. Germany held 42.8% of export value, Italy 16.5%, and Czechia 6.8%, together accounting for 66.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020

Imports water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes to Austria

Imports in kind, t

Imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes into Austria increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 36 906 tonnes, indicating a limited rise of 4.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 35 075 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the dominant source for Austria's imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in volume terms, capturing 81.9% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Austria imported water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes valued at 97 188 thousand US dollars, marking an increase of 11.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes into Austria in value terms were heavily concentrated on Germany, which accounted for 82.5% of total import flows. Other countries collectively made up the remaining 17.5%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020