Nippon Paint Eyes Coil Coating Growth in Africa

Subash Gaijes Selvaraj, President of Industrial Coatings at Nippon Paint India, addressed industry leaders at the Coil Coating & Sandwich Panel Conference 2026, held at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi.

In his address, Gaijes spoke about shifting demands within the coil coating sector and the rising need for advanced coating technologies to support Africa's expanding infrastructure, construction and manufacturing industries.

He pointed to several challenges and opportunities facing the sector, including the need for stronger UV and weather resistance in regions with intense sunlight and harsh climates, better corrosion protection for coastal and industrial settings, improved resistance to scratches and mechanical damage, and a balance between performance and cost. He also referenced the demand for coating technologies that support sustainable construction and meet environmental compliance standards.

Gaijes said the company's future priorities include research into coatings for non-metallic substrates, along with technology projects aimed at improving product performance and broadening potential applications.

Speaking on the broader industry outlook, Gaijes said that as infrastructure and industrial development accelerate across emerging markets, advanced coating technologies are playing an increasingly significant role, with demand growing for solutions that combine long-term durability, sustainability and performance alongside evolving environmental and operational requirements.

The conference brought together manufacturers, coating specialists, steel producers and technology providers to discuss trends and growth opportunities in the coil coating and sandwich panel industries.

Nippon Paint has expanded its presence in the region through Nippon Paint Kenya, which the company describes as a hub for its operations across East Africa. It has also set up a coil coating plant in Mombasa to serve steel and metal processing industries in the region, supported by what the company describes as a wider supply network across the continent.

Nippon Paint Industrial Coatings, part of Nippon Paint India, supplies coating solutions for automotive, coil, protective, general industrial and specialty applications, drawing on Japanese technology and local manufacturing. The business is part of the NIPSEA Group.