TTJ: This time last year you said you had updated your coatings manifesto to take account of the new government’s policies and actions – can you recap on what it covers and have there been any amendment since then?
David Park: The five broad areas of our manifesto remain the same, although we have tweaked them slightly where government has signalled a way forward, for example with the publication of its Industrial Strategy. The five areas are: A clear, consistent and proportionate regulatory environment for chemicals; an industrial strategy that recognises the need for coatings in essential sectors; support for businesses making the transition to a greener model; a long-term focus on skills and training; and improving post-Brexit trade.
TTJ: Have any of the new policies announced by the government last year actually come to fruition as far as the coatings sector is concerned?
DP: The government’s talks with the EU back in May did not lead to the reset in terms of chemicals policy in the way which we, and they, had hoped. However, the result was a change in tone and future talks may result in something more concrete. Indeed, the UK government has since published its Environmental Impact Plan, which includes a direction of travel for chemicals policy that references a move to unilaterally align more closely with ‘our closest trading partners’ except for where there is a clear need to diverge.
TTJ: The BCF fed into the consultation process of the government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper – what, if any, impact have you seen on the coatings sector?
DP: Coatings are important for each and every one of the ‘IS8’ sectors identified by the government, for example, advanced manufacturing, defence, green energy, or life sciences. Our members’ products are crucial in those supply chains helping to make cars, aircraft, batteries, solar panels, or specialist equipment. To that end, the final strategy was an improvement on the original draft, with references to ensuring supply chains being integral. It now also specifically notes that chemicals, more broadly, is a foundational sector that underpins those sectors the strategy deems capable of high growth. This should assist with the drawing up of policies favourable to those operating in the coatings field and which will hopefully align with our manifesto asks.
TTJ: Have there been any revisions/ updates to UK REACH in the last year?
DP: No. We are still waiting for updates on UK REACH. The first is on a new set of registration deadlines, the first of which was meant to be October 2026. It looks likely this and subsequent deadlines will now be extended by at least one year, although we have lobbied for a two-year extension to each registration band. We should find out early in 2026 what these dates will be.
Likewise, despite a consultation ending in July 2024, because of the change of government we still do not have the full UK REACH policy position – indeed it is for this reason the registration deadlines have been extended. We and others have been in constant touch with Defra on this and we hope to have a clearer picture, again, early this year. The impact on members could be significant, depending upon the ease of the new substance registration process and any additional requirements placed on those using chemicals in formulations.
TTJ: Amendments to EU REACH were delayed – have they happened now?
DP: No. The EU REACH revision was put back to 2026. Our sister organisation in the EU – European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists’ Colours Industry (CEPE) – has been lobbying for the sector in the run up to changes and we hope the recent change of direction in the EU in terms of reducing the burden on businesses means the revisions will not lead to as much new regulation, as may otherwise have been the case. However, if EU REACH changes, and the UK’s chemical regulations are still at a standstill, it will likely mean greater divergence between EU-UK, with the difficulties for trade that entails.
TTJ: Is the UK still a net exporter of paint?
DP: Yes! And a net-exporter of printing inks and wallpaper too! We are proud to continue to be a net-exporter, despite some recent difficult years, and this contributes around £1bn a year to the UK balance of trade.
TTJ: Last year you said raw material prices seemed to have stabilised but still remained higher – as much as 20% in some cases – than in 2023. What’s the situation now?
DP: That remains the case. The shocks of Brexit, Covid and the Ukraine war have slowly eased and led to a stabilisation for most raw materials in terms of availability, although some key substances still see fluctuations in price. Members are also being hit by new factors, however, largely coming from government taxes and policies, from employment costs to the new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging levy, all of which make holding prices down more difficult than would otherwise have been the case.
TTJ: How has the market been for wood coatings manufacturers this year?
DP: In a largely downbeat year for coatings sales, the woodcare market has fared comparatively well overall. The latest indications for 2025 show sales volume from manufacturers to retailers has improved by around 2% compared to 2024. Nevertheless, manufacturers may not be feeling the benefit of this growth, since it is mainly in lower value ranges, supporting the general view that consumer confidence remains fragile.
TTJ: What is the latest news on BCF’s Net Zero by 2050 and on the Net Zero Roadmap?
DP: We are in the process of collecting data for the Roadmap refresh and will be launching a new version of the report at our 2026 Net Zero Seminar in Liverpool. It should be an interesting day and follow on from the successful event in Warwick last year, where we had around 80 participants discuss various Net-Zero related topics, especially through the lens of how our members could liaise and work better with their customers to reduce the sector’s scope 3 emissions.
TTJ: Where do you think the challenges and opportunities will come from in 2026?
DP: Challenges will inevitably come from more regulatory changes – both in the UK and EU – as well as from the fiscal response of the government in the face of continued low growth. Likewise, consumer confidence seems likely to remain low for the coming year, with all that means for new purchases and DIY efforts. Housebuilding targets continue to be missed by some margin too, which will certainly not help the decorative coatings sector. The risk of global events impacting on business remains as high as ever.
In terms of opportunities, the government has at least retained its planned programme of infrastructure projects, which should lead to some helpful contracts for the sector as long as we start to see spades in the ground.
Depending upon developments in the industrial strategy definitions and subsequent policies, there is scope for the coatings sector to see benefits around skills and training, in addition to possible changes around energy pricing in some instances. And the government will now be speaking much more regularly with their counterparts in the EU, which will hopefully, slowly, help improve the ability to trade more easily in the not too- distant future.
In conclusion, we expect 2026 to be a busy year on the policy front, with all those delayed chemical regulations like UK REACH coming to the fore. Anyone wishing to keep up to speed on our take on these issues should follow us on LinkedIn and keep an eye on our website
