Water-based lacquers in trade fair construction:
an alternative to
solvent-based coatings

Are water-based lacquers technically equivalent to solvent-based lacquers? 

Yes. Modern water-based lacquers now reach mechanical performance that is comparable to solvent-based coatings, and for many applications in trade fair construction they are treated as an equivalent alternative. What ultimately matters, however, is the interaction between the material, the intended use and the specific surface requirements.

In practice, water-based lacquers prove particularly capable and reliable on wood-based materials and on presentation surfaces. They deliver a high surface quality with sufficient resistance to scratching and chemicals for everyday use in trade fair construction.

For more demanding cases - very high mechanical loads, for example, or certain metal substrates - the choice can be more nuanced. Different coating systems are then evaluated and matched to the specific use. Equivalence is therefore not a blanket statement; it depends on the application.

What do surface coatings in trade fair construction have to deliver?

Depending on the application, exhibition stands, displays and presentation furniture are made from solid wood, MDF, plywood, glass, metal or plastic. To keep these components durable and visually high-quality, they are coated or lacquered accordingly. Trade fair construction places particularly high demands here: many components are reused across several years and trade fair cycles.

Typical requirements:

• High mechanical durability - surfaces are heavily used
• Even surface quality, film thickness and colour appearance, with precise adherence to colour specifications (RAL, HKS, Pantone)
• Easy to clean, resistant to chemicals
• Repeated use across several trade fair cycles without visible loss of quality
• Short drying times for efficient production flow

What are solvent-based lacquers and where are they used?

Solvent-based lacquers were the standard in trade fair construction for many years. They offer high durability, an even surface and reliable technical processing - particularly on metal and on heavily used surfaces.

These lacquers contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which evaporate during processing and enter the ambient air. The VOC content typically ranges between 300 and more than 600 g/litre, depending on the system. That calls for matching extraction and protective measures in production, plus compliance with statutory limits (EU Directive 2004/42/EC).

For these reasons, they are increasingly complemented or replaced by water-based alternatives - especially where cutting emissions and protecting workers are a priority.

Coated Metal Panel

Why are water-based lacquers used in trade fair construction?

Water-based lacquers use water as the carrier medium instead of organic solvents. Depending on the product, VOC content sits between 30 and 150 g/litre - a reduction of up to 80% compared with classic solvent-based systems.

In production, this delivers several tangible benefits:

• Markedly lower emissions during processing
• Less odour - relevant for staff and the production environment
• Better air quality, less effort for extraction and protective measures
• Compliance with tightening statutory VOC limits without extra technical effort
• Lower disposal costs for solvent-contaminated waste
• No chemical solvents needed to clean working equipment

Water-based lacquers: technical properties

The technology of water-based lacquers has advanced significantly over the past ten years. Modern 2K water-based systems (two-component polyurethane systems) today reach mechanical performance comparable to solvent-based systems.

Technical characteristics of modern water-based lacquer systems:

• Scratch resistance: 3H to 4H on the pencil hardness test (DIN EN ISO 15184)
• Drying time: dust-dry in 15-20 minutes, touch-dry in under 30 minutes (at 20 °C, convection)
• Chemical resistance: tested against cleaning agents, oils and solvents
• Gloss levels: adjustable from textured (under 10 GU), matt (10-20 GU) up to high-gloss (85+ GU)
• Use on wood and - with suitable pre-treatment - on metal surfaces

For most applications in trade fair construction, water-based lacquers are now fully equivalent alternatives. In specific cases - extreme mechanical loads, for example, or particular metal substrates - combining both systems may be the right approach.

Lacquered Wooden Component

Which materials are suited to water-based lacquers?

In trade fair construction, water-based lacquers are used above all on wood-based materials - the most common substrates for furniture, wall cladding and presentation elements.

Typical applications:

• Presentation furniture and counters made from wood panel materials
• Wall and surface cladding with a visible finish
• Displays and product stands made from wood-based materials
• Metal surfaces (displays, structural elements) with a suitable primer or adhesion promoter
• Components designed for repeated reuse across several trade fair cycles

The right coating always depends on the material, the planned use and the technical requirements. Individual alignment in production planning is decisive.

Powder-Coated Metal Surface

Where the different coating options fit in trade fair construction

In trade fair construction production, water-based lacquers have established themselves as a capable alternative to solvent-based systems. With a VOC content up to 80% below classic lacquers, they cut emissions significantly - without compromising on appearance or durability.

Modern 2K water-based lacquers meet the mechanical demands of day-to-day trade fair construction: scratch resistance up to 4H, short drying times and high chemical resistance make them the first choice for wood-based materials and - with suitable pre-treatment - for metal as well.

Which coating is used depends on the individual case: material, frequency of use, mechanical load and the reusability of the components are the decisive factors. The choice is made project by project - ideally as early as the planning phase.

Water-based lacquers are one element of IMA International's sustainability strategy. Further information can be found here: Sustainability.