Water-based polymer paints and varnishes market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Austrian market for water-based polymer paints and varnishes contracted gradually, with volume falling from 54 236 t to 51 189 t. A sharp reversal occurred in 2021, when market volume jumped to 66 411 t, an increase of more than 15 000 t from the prior year.

Following the 2021 peak, the market entered a sustained downturn, declining to 60 165 t in 2022, 48 967 t in 2023, and 39 647 t in 2024. During this later period, the industry was shaped by a rising consumer and industrial demand for sustainable, bio-based paints and by advancements in polymer chemistry and nanotechnology that improved product quality, though these trends did not offset the overall contraction in market volume.

In value terms, the market mirrored this volatility, peaking at 183.4 million USD in 2021 before falling to 140.0 million USD in 2024.

Production water-based polymer paints and varnishes in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Austria, the production value of water-based polymer paints and varnishes reached 191.8 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 2.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 186.7 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 196.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 4.9%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 5.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Austria's production volume of water-based polymer paints and varnishes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 61 349 tonnes, up by 8.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.2%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 56 229 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.6%.

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

Exports water-based polymer paints and varnishes from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Exports of water-based polymer paints and varnishes from Austria grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, shipments abroad amounted to 57 150 tonnes, representing a 13.1% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 33.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria's exports of water-based polymer paints and varnishes were distributed across numerous markets. Germany accounted for 29.3% of the volume, Italy and Czechia each held 8.8%, and together these three countries made up 46.8% of total exports.

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, M $ US

Austria's cross-border shipments of water-based polymer paints and varnishes in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 188.4 million US dollars, showing a significant rise of 12.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 26.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Italy, and Czechia remained the top three markets for Austria's exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 51.4% of total 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 polymer paints and varnishes to Austria

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Austria's imports of water-based polymer paints and varnishes in volume terms saw an upturn. In 2020, imports reached 46 990 tonnes, reflecting a slight improvement of 2.3% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 45 953 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Austria's imports of water-based polymer paints and varnishes in volume, holding 79.9% of the total. The remaining volume was shared among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Austria's imports of water-based polymer paints and varnishes in value terms totaled 125.9 million US dollars, indicating a modest uptick of 5.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 134.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 10.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany accounted for 80.4% of Austria's total imports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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