Market size and Overview

Rising environmental regulations and the shift toward low-VOC products are driving innovation in the Paint Remover Market Growth. Rapid expansion of automotive refinishing and industrial maintenance activities further propels demand. Technological advancements in bio-based solvents are opening new growth avenues.

The global paint remover market is estimated to be valued at USD 1.97 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 2.99 Bn by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2025 to 2032.



Key market segments include:

• Product Type: Chemical strippers (solvent-based, alkaline-based), thermal removers, and mechanical abrasion. Solvent-based formulations dominated with over 45% of market revenue in 2024, while thermal removers grew fastest, clocking a 13% increase in 2025 driven by aerospace maintenance.

• Application: Industrial, automotive, marine, and construction. Industrial applications led revenue performance in 2024, whereas automotive refinishing usage rose by 12% in 2025 due to increased EV bodywork.

• Formulation: Solvent-based, bio-based, and water-based. Solvent-based remains the largest by industry share, but bio-based formulations emerged as the fastest-growing sub-segment, registering 15% year-on-year growth in 2025.



Market Drivers

One pivotal market driver is the tightening of environmental regulations on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In 2024, low-VOC paint remover approvals under the U.S. EPA increased by 18%, prompting manufacturers to accelerate R&D in greener solvents. European REACH updates in mid-2025 further restricted traditional methylene chloride strippers, spurring a shift toward bio-based and alkaline formulations.

These policies, combined with sustainability mandates from major automakers, have elevated the focus on eco-friendly product portfolios, directly influencing market growth and innovation pipelines.



Segment Analysis

Focusing on the application segment reveals industrial usage as the dominant sub-segment, accounting for over USD 800 Mn of Paint Remover Market revenue in 2024. Industrial end users, including metal fabricators and maintenance services, leverage bulk solvent-based strippers for scale and cost efficiency.

Conversely, the automotive refinishing sub-segment is the fastest-growing, with 2025 revenues surging 12% thanks to specialized gel and foam removers tailored for EV bodies. Insights from the 2025 Market report show value-added services, such as automated dispensing systems, are becoming critical to sustain business growth in this segment.



Consumer Behaviour Insights

Recent surveys highlight three key behavioural shifts among professional end users in 2024–2025:

1. Sustainability Preference: According to a 2025 National Coatings Association survey, 68% of industrial buyers prioritized low-VOC and bio-based solutions, up from 50% in 2024.

2. Customisation Demand: Feedback reports indicate 42% of automotive workshops seek tailored viscosity and fragrance options, driving formulators to offer modular paint remover kits.

3. Digital Procurement: A 2025 e-commerce study showed a 30% rise in online paint remover purchases among small contractors, emphasizing seamless B2B digital platforms and rapid delivery as key decision drivers. These industry trends underscore evolving market opportunities and consumer expectations.



Key Players

Key players in the Paint Remover Market include The Sherwin-Williams Company, Rust-Oleum Corporation, 3M Company, PPG Industries, Inc., AkzoNobel, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Dow Chemical Company, KCC Corporation, Sika AG, Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., Jotun Group, Hempel A/S, Asian Paints, RPM International Inc., Sigma Coatings, Surfachem Plc, TOA Corporation, Valspar Corporation, and Wacker Chemie AG. During 2024–2025, Sherwin-Williams expanded its low-VOC line with a new gel stripper, achieving a 9% sales uplift in Q1 2025.

3M invested in enhanced abrasive tools for mechanical removal, reducing application time by 20% in industrial trials. AkzoNobel's regional entry into Southeast Asia boosted its distribution network by 25%.



Key Winning Strategies

• Bio-Based Innovation (AkzoNobel, 2025): Early adoption of bio-solvent R&D led to a 15% premium pricing power, capturing niche industrial contracts under new EU VOC norms.

• Digital Dispensing Platforms (3M, 2024): Deployment of automated on-site tinting and dispensing systems for thermal removers decreased product waste by 18% and increased repurchase rates by 22%.

• Customization as Service (Rust-Oleum, 2025): Introduction of modular kit offerings with customizable fragrances and viscosities drove a 30% revenue jump in the automotive refinishing channel, outpacing traditional single-SKU approaches.



FAQs

1. Who are the dominant players in the Paint Remover Market?

The Sherwin-Williams Company, Rust-Oleum Corporation, 3M Company, PPG Industries, Inc., and AkzoNobel lead in scale, with extensive product portfolios and global distribution channels.



2. What will be the size of the Paint Remover Market in the coming years?

The market is projected to grow from USD 1.97 Bn in 2025 to USD 2.98 Bn by 2032, driven by a CAGR of 6.1% amid rising demand for eco-friendly formulations and industrial maintenance services.



3. Which end-user industry has the largest growth opportunity?

Industrial maintenance holds the largest opportunity due to continuous metal fabrication and infrastructure upkeep, while automotive refinishing shows the fastest growth rate, especially in EV-related bodywork applications.



4. How will market development trends evolve over the next five years?

Expect intensified focus on low-VOC and bio-based formulations, expanded digital procurement platforms, and increased demand for modular stripper kits tailored to specific substrates or environmental regulations.



5. What is the nature of the competitive landscape and challenges in the Paint Remover Market?

Competition centers on R&D in sustainable solvents, custom service offerings, and distribution efficiency. Key challenges include stringent environmental regulations, supply chain volatility for specialty chemicals, and pricing pressures from commodity-based strippers.



6. What go-to-market strategies are commonly adopted in the Paint Remover Market?

Leading companies leverage product innovation (bio-solvents, automated systems), strategic regional expansions, and B2B digital sales channels. Customization and service-based models are increasingly critical to differentiate in this mature, regulation-driven market.

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About Author:

Vaagisha brings over three years of expertise as a content editor in the market research domain. Originally a creative writer, she discovered her passion for editing, combining her flair for writing with a meticulous eye for detail. Her ability to craft and refine compelling content makes her an invaluable asset in delivering polished and engaging write-ups.

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