Thinner Shortages Stall Painting Sites: Prematex Proposes 'Water-Soluble Solvent Paints' as a Solution Amid Supply Risks
Amidst severe paint thinner shortages caused by Middle East instability, Prematex is promoting 'water-soluble solvent paints' that offer oil-based quality with water-thinnability, solving onsite supply issues.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 19:30
The supply of paint thinner is becoming critically unstable due to the impact of the situation in the Middle East. As a result, cases where the use of oil-based (solvent) paints is restricted are occurring at painting sites across Japan, forcing many to revise construction plans or consider alternative measures.
On the other hand, there remains a strong deep-seated resistance to switching to water-based paints at the field level due to concerns about workability and the final finish.
## Voices from the Field: 'Water-based Alone is Tough'
At painting sites, water-based and oil-based paints are used selectively depending on the application and conditions. In particular, oil-based paints are frequently chosen for roof painting or direct application to incidental parts where no primer is used. However, the premise of choosing oil-based is being shaken by the instability of thinner supply.
Professional comments include:
'With water-based, I'm worried about leveling and the final finish.'
'We are moving forward with the switch, but it’s increasing the number of steps and labor involved.'
The conflict between supply issues and concerns about construction quality has become a major challenge for today's painting industry.
## 'Water-Soluble Solvent Paint' as a Third Option
Against this backdrop, Prematex Co., Ltd. (HQ: Koto-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenichi Kikuchi) is proposing a new alternative called 'water-soluble solvent paint,' which combines the characteristics of both oil-based and water-based paints.
Water-soluble solvent paint was developed as a product that employs a solvent dilutable with water, offering the ease of work associated with water-based paints while maintaining the quality of oil-based paints.
Since its launch last year, and as the product lineup has expanded, continuous use in actual painting sites has increased. Movement toward full adoption following trial periods is spreading. In some painting shops, it is already becoming established as a standard option.
'Even though it's thinned with water, it allows direct painting and has great coverage.'
'I was worried about the switch, but I was convinced once I saw the finish.'
## Rising Interest Driven by Thinner Shortages
With the unstable thinner supply situation continuing, interest is growing from the perspective of supply stability as well. Inquiries from the field are increasing, and adoption is expected to expand to other sites facing similar challenges.
## 'Realistic Choices' Required for the Future Painting Industry
The instability of thinner supply is not just a short-term problem; it may influence the very way paints are selected in the future. Rather than relying on a binary choice of 'water-based or oil-based,' it is believed that a flexible response—using multiple options depending on the situation—will be crucial for the painting industry moving forward.
Prematex Co., Ltd. intends to respond to these changes in the market environment by strengthening its product development and supply systems to contribute to solving challenges in the field.
On the other hand, there remains a strong deep-seated resistance to switching to water-based paints at the field level due to concerns about workability and the final finish.
## Voices from the Field: 'Water-based Alone is Tough'
At painting sites, water-based and oil-based paints are used selectively depending on the application and conditions. In particular, oil-based paints are frequently chosen for roof painting or direct application to incidental parts where no primer is used. However, the premise of choosing oil-based is being shaken by the instability of thinner supply.
Professional comments include:
'With water-based, I'm worried about leveling and the final finish.'
'We are moving forward with the switch, but it’s increasing the number of steps and labor involved.'
The conflict between supply issues and concerns about construction quality has become a major challenge for today's painting industry.
## 'Water-Soluble Solvent Paint' as a Third Option
Against this backdrop, Prematex Co., Ltd. (HQ: Koto-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kenichi Kikuchi) is proposing a new alternative called 'water-soluble solvent paint,' which combines the characteristics of both oil-based and water-based paints.
Water-soluble solvent paint was developed as a product that employs a solvent dilutable with water, offering the ease of work associated with water-based paints while maintaining the quality of oil-based paints.
Since its launch last year, and as the product lineup has expanded, continuous use in actual painting sites has increased. Movement toward full adoption following trial periods is spreading. In some painting shops, it is already becoming established as a standard option.
'Even though it's thinned with water, it allows direct painting and has great coverage.'
'I was worried about the switch, but I was convinced once I saw the finish.'
## Rising Interest Driven by Thinner Shortages
With the unstable thinner supply situation continuing, interest is growing from the perspective of supply stability as well. Inquiries from the field are increasing, and adoption is expected to expand to other sites facing similar challenges.
## 'Realistic Choices' Required for the Future Painting Industry
The instability of thinner supply is not just a short-term problem; it may influence the very way paints are selected in the future. Rather than relying on a binary choice of 'water-based or oil-based,' it is believed that a flexible response—using multiple options depending on the situation—will be crucial for the painting industry moving forward.
Prematex Co., Ltd. intends to respond to these changes in the market environment by strengthening its product development and supply systems to contribute to solving challenges in the field.
FAQ
Why is there currently a shortage of paint thinner?
The instability in the Middle East has affected the supply and manufacturing costs of petroleum-based raw materials, causing a bottleneck in the domestic supply of paint thinners in Japan.
What is the difference between water-soluble solvent paint and regular water-based paint?
While water-based paint has resin dispersed in water, water-soluble solvent paint uses a special solvent that dissolves in water. This allows it to be thinned with water while maintaining the superior leveling and adhesion characteristics of solvent-based paints.
How is the feedback from painting sites?
Despite initial hesitation, professional painters have highly praised its performance, noting that it allows direct application without primer and yields a finish indistinguishable from traditional solvent-based paints.