The year 2025 marks a significant turning point for chemical compliance in the European paints and coatings industry. For years, raw material challenges in the coatings industry have disrupted production, driven up costs, and strained supply chains. Now, with tightening rules around PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), microplastics, and biocides, procurement teams are facing a new kind of complexity that goes well beyond pricing and availability.
Why Regulatory Pressure Is Increasing in the Coatings Industry
For years, PFAS and microplastic ingredients have been widely used in high-performance coating formulations for their durability, water-repellency, and other desirable properties. However, the regulatory landscape in Europe is changing.
The European Union is actively phasing out entire classes of PFAS, including lesser-known compounds such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which is critical in some industrial and protective coatings.
At the same time, new rules targeting intentionally added microplastics under REACH, as well as stricter restrictions on certain biocides, are compelling formulators to rethink their raw material choices and move toward more sustainable alternatives.
What Buyers of the Coatings Industry Need to Consider
For procurement professionals, this shift means that purchasing decisions now involve more than just negotiating costs and lead times. Buyers should consider:
- Identifying suppliers who comply with REACH and the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) and can provide transparent, up-to-date documentation.
- Evaluating materials not only for current compliance but also for their likelihood of facing future restrictions.
- Seeking alternatives to PFAS- and microplastic-based ingredients that still meet technical and performance standards.
- Balancing the need for compliance against the commercial and technical risks of reformulating products prematurely.
Why CheMondis
At CheMondis, we understand the complexity of the coatings industry’s supply chain, and we help you navigate it.
Our Procurement Discovery Service connects buyers with verified, compliant suppliers, offering a diverse and global network so you can mitigate risk and maintain production schedules. We also help you discover tested and sustainable alternatives when regulatory changes or shortages disrupt your current materials.
With CheMondis, you gain transparency, flexibility, and access to a reliable supplier base that meets both your performance and compliance needs.
Moving Toward Compliance-Driven Sourcing
Compliance is no longer simply a regulatory checkbox; it is now a critical element of sourcing strategy. The evolving rules around PFAS, microplastics, and biocides require buyers to adopt greater visibility, documentation rigor, and flexibility within their supply chains.
By staying informed about regulatory developments, maintaining clear communication with suppliers, and proactively identifying alternatives, procurement teams can mitigate risks and keep production on track in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
