(1) Compared with traditional oil-based paints, waterborne paints still have a gap in terms of richness, hardness, abrasion resistance and the ‘feel’ of coating layers. There is still a considerable space for improvement and upgrading. Their application in high-grade furniture is therefore restricted.

(2) The cost of waterborne paints is high. The unit price of conventional waterborne wood product paints is always higher than traditional oil-based paints. For example, the price of imported waterborne paints is mostly around RMB100/kg whilst the price of domestic varieties is RMB30/kg. Both are two to five times the price of solvent-based paints for wood. Consumers cannot be expected to accept such a high price.

(3) Workers accustomed to traditional oil-based paints take a sceptical and unreceptive attitude toward waterborne paints. The process of applying waterborne paints has also not matured in China. All of this limits their use and constrains sales.

(4) Although the Chinese government advocates the use of environmentally friendly paints, there are no rules that forbid the production of solvent-based paints for wood and no rigid provisions require use of waterborne paints on wood products. Hence a considerable space is provided for the continued existence of oil-based paints.