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

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

Yes. Modern water-based lacquers now reach mechanical durability that is comparable to solvent-based coatings and, for many trade fair construction applications, they are considered an equivalent alternative. What matters is how material, use case and surface requirements come together.

In practice, water-based lacquers prove particularly capable and reliable on wood-based materials and presentation surfaces. They deliver high surface quality together with sufficient scratch and chemical resistance for trade fair use.

For specific demands – very high mechanical stress, for example, or certain metal substrates – the choice can be more nuanced. In those cases different coating systems are reviewed and matched to the application.
Equivalence is therefore not a blanket statement; it depends on the individual use case.

What requirements must surface coatings meet in trade fair construction?

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

Typical requirements:

• High mechanical durability – surfaces face heavy use
• Consistent surface quality, film thickness and colour, with exact adherence to colour specifications (RAL, HKS, Pantone)
• Easy cleaning and chemical resistance
• Repeated use over multiple trade fair cycles with no visible loss of quality
• Short drying times for efficient production workflows

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

For a long time, solvent-based lacquers were the standard in trade fair construction. They offer high durability, a consistent surface, and reliable processing – especially on metal and heavily stressed surfaces.

These lacquers contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which evaporate during application and enter the surrounding air. VOC content ranges from 300 to over 600 g per litre, depending on the system. That requires appropriate extraction and protective measures in production as well as compliance with statutory limits (EU Directive 2004/42/EC).

For these reasons, solvent-based lacquers are increasingly being complemented or replaced by water-based alternatives – especially where emissions reduction and occupational safety are central.

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 ranges from 30 to 150 g per litre – a reduction of up to 80% compared with conventional solvent-based systems.

This leads to several concrete benefits in production:

• Significantly reduced emissions during processing
• Less odour – relevant for staff and the production environment
• Improved air quality and lower effort for extraction and protective measures
• Compliance with increasingly strict statutory VOC limits without extra technical effort
• Lower disposal costs for solvent-contaminated waste
• No chemical solvents required for cleaning equipment

Water-based lacquers: technical properties

The technology behind water-based lacquers has advanced significantly over the past ten years. Modern 2K water-based lacquer systems (two-component polyurethane systems) now reach mechanical durability that is 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, forced air)
• Chemical resistance: tested against cleaning agents, oils and solvents
• Gloss levels: from textured (below 10 GU), matt (10–20 GU) through to high gloss (85+ GU)
• Use on wood and – with suitable pre-treatment – on metal surfaces

For most trade fair construction applications, water-based lacquers are therefore a fully equivalent option today. In specific cases – extreme mechanical stress or particular metal substrates, for instance – combining both systems may make sense.

Lacquered wood component

Which materials are water-based lacquers suitable for?

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

Typical applications:

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

The choice of coating always depends on the material, the intended use and the technical requirements. Tailored coordination during production planning is the decisive factor.

Powder-coated metal surface

Putting coating options in trade fair construction in context

Water-based lacquers have established themselves in trade fair construction as a capable alternative to solvent-based systems. With VOC levels up to 80% below conventional lacquers, they cut emissions substantially – without compromising on look or durability.

Modern 2K water-based lacquers meet the mechanical demands of day-to-day trade fair use: 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 too.

Which coating option is used depends on the individual case: material, frequency of use, stress level and reusability of the components are the key factors. The decision is made per project – ideally as early as possible in the planning phase.

Water-based lacquers are one building block in the sustainability approach at IMA International. You can find more information here: Sustainability.