LONDON – Paint and coatings demand in Brazil is estimated at 1,303,200 tons for 2008 and could grow to create a market of 1,651,000 tons by 2013. This marks an average annual growth rate in the region of 4-5 percent once Brazil has recovered from the effects of the global economic crisis. Almost all industry figures are optimistic about a return to market growth after a current period of uncertainty and possible contraction, according to the results of research published by IRL in its newProfile of the Brazilian Paint Industry, 2nd Edition.

The vast majority of the Brazilian paint market lies in the decorative sector, accounting for nearly 74 percent of total demand. Rising home ownership, rising living standards and easier credit availability have all been exerting positive influences over the Brazilian decorative paint market.

Construction and infrastructure are the key driving forces for the Brazilian coatings market as a whole, bringing rising demand for decorative, wood and protective coatings. The best growth rates are to be expected in the marine and protective segments, largely as a result of offshore exploration by Petrobras, an oil company headquartered in Brazil.