The paint industry maintains a strategic relationship with the Mexican automotive sector , not only for its participation in manufacturing processes, but also for the repainting and repair market that accompanies the growth of the vehicle fleet in the country, as stated by Flor de María González Mariblanca, general director of the National Association of Paint and Ink Manufacturers (Anafapyt) .
The executive emphasized that each automotive plant is also an advanced paint shop, where coating processes are a fundamental part of production. One example is the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, whose technical capacity allows for the coating of up to 90 vehicles per hour , an efficiency standard that underscores the importance of this sector for the national supply chain.
Although the main market for the paints industry continues to be the architectural segment, which represents 64% of the total volume of the sector, original automotive manufacturing maintains a relevant share with around 102 million liters (equivalent to 51%) of coatings destined for new vehicles.
Added to this is the automotive refinishing segment, which registers a consumption of close to 86 million liters and has become one of the most dynamic markets for paint manufacturers.
In an interview with T21, González Mariblanca explained that the growth of the vehicle fleet directly drives the demand for specialized coatings.
According to the consulting firm Integrate Data Facts (IDF) , at the end of 2025, Mexico had a vehicle fleet of 36.1 million units in circulation, reflecting the need for maintenance, repair and repainting in the automotive industry.
Impact on road safety
The general manager of Anafapyt indicated that road safety signage is a relevant factor for this market, as there is a constant demand for specialized repair systems, finishes and coatings, which contributes to safeguarding the lives of pedestrians and drivers .
In that regard, he noted that the paints used on road infrastructure serve specific safety functions supported by technical regulations . “Colors like yellow are for prevention, while white and black contain anti-reflective coatings and are based on visibility and accident prevention studies.”
In addition to its connection with the automotive industry, Anafapyt seeks to strengthen its relationship with transport organizations to promote projects related to road safety .
The association works with representatives from the National Chamber of Passenger and Tourism Transportation (Canapat) and the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT) to analyze the impact of modifications to urban colors and signage on the visibility of operators and pedestrians.
Challenges in the paint industry
González Mariblanca explained that the paints and inks sector faces new challenges stemming from the international environment. The conflict in the Middle East has led to an approximately 20% increase in the costs of various raw materials used in the manufacture of paints and coatings.
Given this scenario, several companies have begun to pass on some of these increases to final prices, after absorbing the impact on their production costs for months.
To address supply chain pressures, the industry is focusing on strengthening supply chains through greater diversification of international suppliers. This will be one of the main objectives of the Latin American Coatings Show (LACS), an event organized by Anafapyt that will bring together representatives from 34 countries this July.
Flor de María explained that Mexico has become an attractive market for global manufacturers and suppliers due to its strategic position in the North American region and the importance of the country’s skilled workforce in sectors such as automotive, construction, and infrastructure.
Another factor transforming this industry is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI). He explained that new technologies already allow for optimizing formulations, managing color databases, and developing simulations to accelerate innovation processes.
Far from replacing jobs, he stated, AI is becoming a tool to improve the productivity of technicians and engineers specializing in coating development.
For the second half of 2026, the industry anticipates a scenario of higher costs, pressure on raw materials, and challenges associated with the renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) . However, Anafapyt believes that Mexico maintains significant competitive advantages thanks to its manufacturing capacity, skilled workforce, and growing attractiveness to new international investment.
For the paints and inks sector, the priority will be to ensure the supply of inputs and strengthen its integration with strategic industries such as the automotive industry, which continues to be one of the main drivers of demand in the country.
The size of the paint market in Mexico was approximately 3.438 billion dollars (USD) in 2025, and is expected to exceed 5 billion USD by 2034, at an annual growth rate of 4.65% during the period 2026-2034, according to figures from the consulting firm Imarc Group .
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