22 July 2026
A month on from Surfex 2026: What the exhibition told us about the coatings market
Now one month on from Surfex 2026, we have had time to reflect on what the show told us about the coatings market. One thing stands out clearly: the most valuable conversations are becoming more technical, more specific and more commercially focused.
Across the show, there was a clear need for technical consultation on defined end applications rather than broad, exploratory discussions. Many of the conversations on our stand were in-depth meetings about customer requirements, project challenges and where the right material or technical support could move things forward. That feels significant. It suggests that while businesses may still be operating with caution, they are actively progressing projects and looking for practical routes to solve problems.
That was reflected in the wider themes around the event, too. Official Surfex material and the seminar programme placed strong emphasis on regulation, sustainability, performance and real-world application, with topics including UK REACH, GB CLP, Packaging EPR, PFAS-free technologies, bio-based materials, carbon management, advanced testing and application-led innovation. The signal from the show was clear: the market is asking for solutions that work technically, stand up commercially and make sense in a more demanding regulatory and sustainability landscape.
A more consultative market
One of the clearest takeaways from our team was the extent to which customers appear to be stretched on technical resource. A recurring theme was that many businesses no longer have the internal capacity to pursue every R&D opportunity or troubleshoot every formulation challenge at pace.
That matters because it changes what customers value. Increasingly, they are not just looking for raw materials. They are looking for technically capable partners who can help them think through the application, narrow down options and move a project on with confidence. That aligns closely with what we do: Lake Coatings’ Ultimate Customer Value, including technical and R&D support for projects of all sizes.
It also makes Valysis® especially relevant. Bespoke solutions sit at the heart of the Valysis® proposition, and Surfex gave us a clear opportunity to talk about that in a more tangible way through Valysis® FR Systems and Valysis® Epoxy Systems. Both ranges reflect the same direction of travel we heard from customers: practical, application-led support that helps translate technical requirements into workable, commercially sensible formulation routes.
In that sense, Surfex did not just confirm demand for products. It highlighted demand for application support, problem-solving and partnership.
Innovation feels switched back on
Another encouraging signal from the event was a more optimistic tone than many in the industry experienced during 2025. Several people commented that 2026 feels different, with NPD and innovation projects beginning to move again after a period where many teams were more focused on supply security, dual sourcing and material availability.
That optimism came through in the types of enquiries discussed on the stand. There was interest in bio-based alternatives, emerging sustainability projects and more specialist application areas. Our team heard about opportunities in composites, carbon capture-related coatings innovation, anti-static flooring, anti-fouling approaches for marine surfaces and anti-corrosion solutions: customers are bringing forward real technical challenges, and many of those challenges sit in areas where innovation is active again.
The launch activity around Valysis® FR Systems fitted naturally into that picture. Valysis® FR Systems speaks directly to the need to balance fire performance, processability and long-term reliability, while Valysis® Epoxy Systems brings together validated raw materials, technical expertise, tailor-made solutions, an innovative approach and collaborative partnerships. Together, they give customers a clearer route into bespoke formulation support when a standard material choice is not enough.
Surfex 2026 strongly reflected a market that is still under pressure to improve sustainability and compliance but is also moving forward with more confidence in new product development and technical differentiation.
Sustainability and regulation are now part of the same conversation
One of the most striking aspects of this year’s show was how closely sustainability and regulation now sit alongside performance. This is no longer a conversation about “green” options in isolation. The industry is being asked to balance environmental expectations, compliance obligations and commercial realities all at once.
The full programme reflected that clearly, with sessions covering low-VOC and bio-based materials, circularity, paint recycling, carbon reporting, PFAS-free solutions, UK chemical regulation and market access. From our team’s perspective, the level of interest in bio-based alternatives and sustainability-led projects showed that these themes are no longer future-facing. They are part of current customer thinking.
For Lake, that matters because it strengthens the case for combining product breadth with technical consultation. In a market like this, support around formulation choice, application fit and supplier collaboration becomes even more valuable.
What we should take forward
If Surfex 2026 told us anything, it is that the market wants more than access to materials. It wants confidence, collaboration and technical problem-solving.
The quality of the conversations was high, the relevance of the enquiries and the signs that core manufacturing businesses are still investing in innovation. It also points to something broader for the industry. There is a real opportunity for organisations across coatings and adjacent sectors to keep building momentum between major events, through stronger collaboration, more technical learning, better visibility and renewed effort to attract future talent into the industry.
For Lake Coatings, the message is encouraging. The market feels more optimistic, customers are bringing worthwhile technical challenges, and our combination of materials, supplier partnerships and consultative support is resonating.
Thank you to everyone who visited us at Stand 432, to the supplier partners who contributed to our Surfex presence and to the wider Surfex and OCCA community for bringing the industry together. If you did not get the chance to speak with us at the event and would like to continue the conversation, please get in touch at sales@lakecm.co.uk.
