Growth of Electronics and Packaging
The growth of the Asian Pacific region in the electronics industry is seen as the major growth driver for waterborne UV curable resins, as the industry looks for performance resins that can aid in the miniaturization of products and the speeding up of production cycles. In South Korea and Taiwan, global semiconductor and consumer electronics companies are using UV curable resins for coatings on printed circuit boards, displays, and surface protection due to the speed of cure and energy savings over conventional thermal cure resins. Local industry data show that the resin market in the Asian Pacific has seen growth in the electronics industry resins at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 12% over the last three years.
However, the rise in the production of smart devices, ranging from smartphones to wearable technology, has led to the widespread use of waterborne UV curable resins for both functional and decorative purposes. Resin manufacturers in China have noted that automotive parts suppliers in Shanghai and Shenzhen are using waterborne UV adhesives in the assembly of sensors and modules to deliver improved thermal performance and environmental compliance. Similarly, the use of UV curable resins in packaging has followed the same trend. This is due to the fact that the volume of e-commerce in China is still among the highest in the world.
The markets such as Malaysia and Vietnam are also contributing to this upward trend, as contract manufacturers build capacity to support global supply chains. In packaging, the move towards lightweight and faster production lines, especially for food and personal care products, is driving demand for UV curable varnishes and inks that dry instantly, enabling faster line speeds and less waste. Analysts estimate that combined demand from electronics and packaging could contribute to almost 60% of total waterborne UV resin demand in Asia Pacific by 2030, highlighting the importance of these end markets to this region.
Next‑generation sustainable formulations
The imperatives of sustainability are changing the dynamics of the waterborne UV curable resin market in Asia Pacific, with brands and governments calling for reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. In Japan and Singapore, the governments have set environmental standards that are in favor of waterborne UV resins over solvent-borne resins, encouraging companies to invest in the development of next-generation resins. In Japan, leading coating companies are reformulating existing products to have higher bio-based content and lower residual monomers, thus enabling customers to achieve higher indoor air quality and emission standards without compromising on performance.
The growing green building movement has fueled the growth of the market for low-VOC UV curable coatings in architectural markets like wood, metal, and glass coatings. In particular, architectural projects focused on green building ratings like Green Star are seeking resins with environmental benefits, thus commanding premium prices and differentiation for these resins. Local industry players are seizing the opportunity by working with European and North American licensors to develop innovative oligomer and photoinitiator technologies that balance environmental performance with long-term durability and weatherability.
Meanwhile, in many countries, sustainability trends are also affecting raw material sourcing, not just end users. In India, resin manufacturers and research institutions are working together to develop waterborne UV curable resins using renewable raw materials like plant-derived polyols and bio-based acrylates. This work supports the overall national agenda to reduce imports of petrochemical-based materials, as well as addressing the issue of waste management in many of these growing regions. Pilot projects have shown that the next generation of sustainable UV systems can provide performance equivalent to conventional products, ready for broader commercialization across the Asia Pacific region. This is one way for companies to make a big difference and help them excel in the global waterborne UV curable resins market.
