Our Experience at Coatings for Africa 2026
The Coatings for Africa 2026 exhibition was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. It brought together companies from across the global coatings industry.
As a supplier of coatings’ raw materials, we attended the event to learn about the latest market developments. We also met distributors, manufacturers, and formulators from different regions.
The exhibition gave us a better understanding of the African coatings market and its future direction.
Key Takeaways from the Exhibition
1. The Africa Coatings Market Is Growing
One clear trend was the steady growth of the Africa coatings market.
Demand is increasing because of urbanization, new infrastructure projects, and construction activities. Many local manufacturers are expanding production and improving their product formulations.
We noticed strong demand for:
- Decorative coatings
- Industrial coatings
- Automotive refinishing coatings
- Marine coatings
This creates new opportunities for suppliers of coatings raw materials.
2. Higher Performance Matters More Than Ever
Many manufacturers are no longer focused only on price.
Instead, they are looking for materials that offer:
- Better durability
- Longer storage life
- Stable formulation performance
- Lower environmental impact
- Compliance with local regulations
As a result, demand for functional additives and high-quality solvents continues to grow.
3. MEKO Remains an Important Anti-Skinning Agent
MEKO (Methyl Ethyl Ketoxime) remains one of the most common anti-skinning agents used in alkyd coatings.
During the exhibition, many companies mentioned similar priorities:
- Reliable anti-skinning performance
- Good compatibility with alkyd resins
- Cost-effective production
- Stable product quality
We also noticed growing interest in alternatives such as MPKO and MIBKO. Different markets have different formulation and regulatory needs.
4. Buyers Value Reliable Suppliers
Reliable supply was another key topic at the exhibition.
Many buyers are looking for suppliers who can provide:
- Consistent quality
- Stable supply
- Technical support
- Export documentation
- Fast communication
These factors are becoming just as important as product pricing.
Our Perspective
We supply coatings raw materials to customers around the world.
Our product range includes:
- MEKO and other anti-skinning agents
- Solvents such as MIBK, MEK, and 2-Pentanone
- Coating intermediates
- Functional additives
We work with qualified manufacturing partners in China. Our goal is to provide stable quality, reliable supply, and professional export service.
Looking Ahead
Based on what we saw at Coatings for Africa 2026, we believe the African coatings industry will continue to grow.
Several trends are likely to shape the market:
- More local paint production
- Higher demand for specialty additives
- Greater focus on environmental compliance
- Stronger regional distribution networks
- More cooperation with Asian suppliers
These trends create new opportunities for both manufacturers and chemical suppliers.
Final Thoughts
Coatings for Africa 2026 showed that Africa is becoming an increasingly important coatings market.
The exhibition also confirmed the growing demand for reliable raw material suppliers and high-performance chemical solutions.
We are pleased to have attended the event. The insights we gained will help us better support customers in the global coatings industry.