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German paint and ink industry: Declines characterise the year 2025
The German paint and printing ink industry is struggling with macroeconomic challenges. Sales volumes and revenues are falling significantly, while only a few sectors are showing signs of hope. The Association of the German Paint and Printing Ink Industry (VdL) is calling for political reforms and a reduction in bureaucracy to stabilise the industry.
The German paint and printing ink industry looks back on a difficult year in 2025. According to the annual press conference of the Association of the German Paint and Printing Ink Industry (VdL), domestic sales fell by 2.8%, while turnover declined by 1.2% to EUR 5.8 billion. “The overall economic weakness continues to have a significant impact on our industry,” explained VdL President Dr Harald Borgholte. The association forecasts a further decline in sales volumes of 2% for 2026.
The architectural paints and printing inks sectors in particular recorded significant losses in 2025. The volume of architectural paints and plasters declined by 3.5%, which is attributable to the weak construction industry and reduced construction investment. The decline in the do-it-yourself segment (-2%) and in the professional sector (-4%) also reflects the difficult market situation. In the printing inks segment, sales volumes fell by 5%, mainly due to declining publication printing. By contrast, there was slight growth in packaging printing.
Glimmer of hope for industrial coatings and foreign trade
The industrial coatings sector is suffering from weak demand from the manufacturing industry and has recorded a decline of 1.2%. While areas such as furniture and wood (-3.5%) and automotive refinish coatings (-5%) are declining, the corrosion protection coatings segment offers a positive outlook with growth of 3%. This development is primarily attributable to government infrastructure projects. “We expect this sector to break even in 2026,” said Borgholte.
Foreign trade remains a stabilising factor for the industry. The value of exports rose by 1% to EUR 3.7 billion in 2025, while imports grew significantly by 3.5% to EUR 1.3 billion. The association forecasts further moderate growth for 2026, supported by a slightly positive economic situation abroad.
Call for political reforms and reduction of bureaucracy
VdL President Borgholte and Chief Executive Dr Martin Kanert emphasised the need for political reforms at the press conference. “The German economy has been stagnating for six years and remains at the 2019 level,” Borgholte analysed. In order to stabilise the industry, far-reaching structural reforms and a comprehensive reduction in bureaucracy are necessary. “We call for more courage and determination in reducing bureaucracy,” said Borgholte. The so-called construction booster could bring about a much-needed recovery in the construction paint sector from 2027 onwards.
Kanert added that although the importance of the chemical industry in Europe has been recognised, the first relief measures have often been lost in the details. New burdens are looming, particularly in legislation on the circular economy. “A start has been made, but there is still a lot of work ahead of us.”
