About the Industry

Introducing Canada’s Paint and Coating Industry

A vital sector

Canada’s paint and coatings companies form a robust arm of Canada’s chemical processing industry:

• More than 200 paint manufacturing establishments operate in Canada
• Annual sector sales stand at almost $3 billion
• Paint and coatings manufacturers employ more than 7,500 Canadians

Three main product types

The main categories of paint and coating products are:

• Architectural paints: Consumers and paint contractors use these in homes and other structures to beautify or protect surfaces. This category includes interior and exterior paints, wood stains, primers, varnishes, lacquers and other products.
• Industrial coatings: Manufacturers use these, sometimes to beautify surfaces but more often to protect them. Products in this category are used with furniture, appliances, aircraft and farm equipment, and other products.
• Automotive coatings: Automobile manufacturers, body shops and some consumers use these products to protect and to beautify surfaces. The products decorate new automobiles or add lustre after improvements or repairs.

 

Canadian paint manufacturing dollar shipments and imports (2008)