Editor's Note: Keeping pace with industry developments and empowering practitioners to strategically plan ahead, HZ info launches the special feature "Foresee 2026: Dialogues with Chief Engineers, Insights into the Future." 

Beyond macro-level data to directly engage with frontline technology R&D and application, we have interviewed chief engineers or senior experts across specialized segments. Together, they help practitioners outline the technological landscape and market opportunities for the coatings industry in 2026.

Featured Focus: Radiative Cooling Coatings

Interviewee: Xu Kaibin

Xu Kaibin has over thirty years of deep expertise in the coatings industry and is a recognized authority in China within the fields of inorganic coatings, reflective insulation, and radiative cooling coatings, possessing both profound theoretical knowledge and extensive practical experience.

Since 1993, he has served as a technical lead at several prominent multinational and domestic coating companies, with his work spanning architectural coatings, inorganic silicate coatings, radiative cooling coatings, and more, involving long-term leadership in technology management and new product development.He is also the author of the monographInorganic Silicate Coating Technology, having made significant contributions to technological iteration and innovation within the industry.

Innovation: What is the most anticipated or critical technological breakthrough to be achieved?

Xu Kaibin states that the most anticipated and critical technological breakthrough in the field of radiative cooling coatings by 2026 will centrally focus on the R&D and commercial application of radiative cooling pigments possessing both high bandgap and high refractive index. Simultaneously, the challenge of industrializing colored radiative cooling coatings needs to be solved.

Analyzing from the dimension of pigment performance, rutile titanium dioxide—a commonly used white pigment—is an excellent cool pigment in reflective insulation coatings, boasting a high refractive index of 2.76 and outstanding hiding power and reflective properties. However, its application in radiative cooling topcoats is limited because its electronic bandgap is below 4.13eV, causing it to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light from sunlight. Currently available radiative cooling pigments, while meeting the requirement of a bandgap greater than 4.13eV to achieve high reflectance of UV, visible (VIS), and near-infrared (NIR) light, generally have a refractive index not exceeding 2.0, far inferior to that of rutile titanium dioxide. This shortcoming directly forces coatings to ensure reflectivity and hiding power by increasing film thickness or raising pigment volume concentration (PVC). This not only significantly increases application and material costs but also compromises the coating's mechanical properties and weatherability due to excessively high PVC. Therefore, developing radiative cooling pigments that combine both high bandgap and high refractive index is the core key to breaking through the current technical bottleneck.

From the product application perspective, currently commercialized radiative cooling coatings are only available in white. Research on colored radiative cooling coatings remains largely confined to academic papers. Issues such as poor weatherability, high cost, and immature mass-production processes for colored fluorescent cool pigments in these coatings have not been effectively resolved, creating significant technical barriers for the commercialization of colored products.

Products: In which direction will mainstream radiative cooling coatings?

Xu Kaibin believes that, guided by end-user demand, mainstream radiative cooling coatings in 2026 will evolve deeply along two core directions: diversification of resin systems and expansion of application scenarios.

Regarding resin systems, the film-forming resins in currently commercialized radiative cooling coatings are primarily concentrated in two categories: acrylic and polyurethane. However, as application conditions become increasingly complex and performance requirements continue to rise, there is a subsequent need to focus on developing more high-performance resin systems. Examples include inorganic resins, fluorocarbon resins, silicone resins, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and resins specialized for powder coatings. Enriching the variety of resins will further enhance the coatings' weatherability, corrosion resistance, and adaptability to different scenarios.

In terms of application scenarios, the current practical use of radiative cooling coatings is still limited to a few fields like grain storage silos and the power industry, resulting in relatively low overall market penetration. For future products to achieve greater breakthroughs, the key lies in exploring more emerging application scenarios. At the same time, it is crucial to develop customized coating systems tailored to the differentiated needs of different scenarios, gradually transforming radiative cooling coatings from niche functional products into universal energy-saving materials.

Recommendations : Seize Developmental Opportunities via Three Key Levers

Xu Kaibin believes that, firstly, practitioners must deepen their understanding of the technological principles and solidify their professional foundation. Radiative cooling coatings belong to an emerging technology category. Currently, most practitioners' comprehension of their core technical principles is not deep enough, and the market also contains instances of either mythologizing the product efficacy or having cognitive biases. Relevant personnel need to strengthen their theoretical knowledge, systematically mastering the technical logic and performance boundaries of radiative cooling. This is both a prerequisite for accurate product R&D and a key factor for efficient market promotion.

Secondly, the focus should be on supporting raw materials and exploring opportunities across the industrial chain. The pace of technological R&D and iteration for radiative cooling coatings is rapid. While new products continually emerge, this also spurs significant innovation demand for supporting raw materials. R&D personnel can pay close attention to technological advancements in high bandgap/high refractive index pigments, as well as new film-forming resins like inorganic, fluorocarbon, and TPU. Production and sales personnel, on the other hand, can plan proactively to explore supply chain cooperation opportunities and market prospects for these supporting raw materials.

Finally, it is essential to proactively strategize for application scenarios to seize market opportunities. Current applications of radiative cooling coatings are still concentrated in a few areas like grain storage and power. Vast new scenarios await development. Practitioners across the entire industrial chain should actively explore potential application fields such as building energy efficiency, special vehicles, petrochemicals, telecommunications, and new energy. They should conduct customized R&D and market research tailored to the differentiated needs of different scenarios, positioning themselves early to capture future market share.