The paints and coatings industry in Russia is a sector in dynamic transformation. Serving critical downstream industries—from construction and automotive to aerospace and shipbuilding—the demand for innovative formulations, sustainable technologies, and advanced application equipment has never been more robust. Moscow, as the nation’s industrial and commercial capital, has solidified its role as the primary hub for this specialized sector, hosting key international exhibitions that serve as essential platforms for raw material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and finished goods producers.
For professionals involved in the development, production, or application of paints, varnishes, and coatings, understanding Moscow’s exhibition landscape is critical. Here is an in-depth look at the international paints and coatings industry exhibitions shaping the sector in the Russian capital.
The Flagship Winter Event: Interlakokraska
When industry professionals discuss the paints and coatings sector in Russia, Interlakokraska stands as the undisputed leader. Recognized as the largest and most prestigious international exhibition and conference for paints, varnishes, coatings, raw materials, equipment, and production technologies, Interlakokraska is the essential annual gathering for the industry.
Dates and Venue
The 30th anniversary edition of Interlakokraska took place February 24–27, 2026, at the Timiryazev Centre in Moscow. This marked a significant move for the exhibition, which was held for the first time at this new, modern venue, occupying the Vavilov and Chayanov Halls on the first floor of the complex. The Timiryazev Centre is conveniently located just a seven-minute walk from the Petrovsko-Razumovskaya metro station.
Legacy and Scale
With a history spanning three decades, Interlakokraska has maintained its status as the main platform for presenting innovations, exchanging experience, and developing strategies for the paint and coating industry. The 2026 edition featured 287 exhibitors from 10 countries, including Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Malaysia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. The exhibition covered the entire first floor of the Timiryazev Centre, demonstrating its substantial scale within the Moscow trade fair calendar.
Government Support and Authority
The exhibition is organized by EXPOCENTRE AO with the official support of key government and industry bodies:
- Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
- Russian Chemists Union
- Soyuzkraska Association (the Russian Paint and Coatings Association)
- Under the auspices of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
This level of official backing ensures that Interlakokraska attracts decision-makers with direct authority over industry standards and procurement, making it a critical venue for understanding regulatory directions and government priorities.
Exposition Scope
The exhibition covers the complete cycle of production and application of paints and coatings across multiple specialized categories:
- Finished Paints and Coatings: A wide range of products for industrial and decorative applications, including water-based paints, powder coatings, and specialty formulations
- Raw Materials: Resins, pigments, solvents, fillers, additives, and other chemical components for all types of paints and coatings
- Production Equipment: Machinery for manufacturing, mixing, dispersing, and filling paints and coatings
- Application Equipment: Spraying systems, dosing equipment, and surface preparation machinery
- Testing and Laboratory Equipment: Quality control instruments and analytical tools
- Waste Treatment and Cleaning Systems: Environmental solutions for coating production lines
- Containers and Packaging: Specialized packaging for paints and coatings
The International Salon: Surface Treatment — Antirust Protection
A notable feature of Interlakokraska is the dedicated “Surface Treatment — Antirust Protection” salon, which showcases products related to equipment and materials for surface treatment, technologies for modern surface preparation, and modern technologies for anti-rust protection.
Market Context and International Participation
The exhibition reflects the shifting dynamics of the Russian market. Foreign exhibitors occupied a significant presence, with notable participation from China (including Guangzhou Titanos Industry and Longly Group), Turkey (Gunkem Gunduz Kimyevi Maddeler and Elars Elektronik Makina), and Iran (Peka Chemie Industrial Company). Russian industry leaders such as Homa, INDLAK, Allnex Belgorod, RIF-Micromramor, and Larchfield LSN were prominently featured.
According to industry sources, the 2025 edition of the exhibition (which featured 351 exhibitors from 14 countries across over 18,000 square meters) attracted more than 12,000 professional visitors, representing 3,000 companies from 44 countries and 250 Russian cities. The visitor profile is highly specialized, with 37 percent coming from paint and coating production, 27 percent from wholesale/retail of paints, and 19 percent from construction and architecture.
The Business Program
What truly distinguishes Interlakokraska is its robust concurrent conference program, focused on the critical challenges facing the industry.
Key Events Include:
- Plenary Session on Strategic Directions: Discussions of systemic challenges, export opportunities, and state support tools with the participation of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Russian Chemists Union
- Round Table on EAEU Technical Regulations: Dedicated to the introduction of new safety standards for paints and coatings and product conformity assessment
- Panel Discussion on Domestic Raw Materials: Exploring the prospects for import substitution and raw material independence over the next three years
- Specialized Seminars: Covering modern laboratory equipment, challenges in the construction and infrastructure coatings segment, and human resource issues
The Autumn Technology Focus: ExpoCoating Moscow
While Interlakokraska dominates the spring season, ExpoCoating Moscow serves as the essential autumn event for the paints and coatings industry, with a specific emphasis on application technologies, surface treatment, and industrial coating processes.
Dates and Venue
The 2026 edition of ExpoCoating Moscow is scheduled for October 19–21, 2026, at the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre in Moscow. This venue is one of Moscow’s largest and most modern exhibition complexes, accessible via the Myakinino metro station.
Event Focus
ExpoCoating Moscow distinguishes itself through its focus on the application side of the industry. While Interlakokraska covers the full spectrum from raw materials to finished goods, ExpoCoating places particular emphasis on:
- Surface Treatment and Preparation: Technologies for cleaning, degreasing, and preparing surfaces for coating
- Industrial Coating Application: Spraying equipment, powder coating systems, and automated application lines
- Curing and Drying Technologies: Ovens, UV curing systems, and drying equipment
- Quality Control and Testing: Instruments for measuring coating thickness, adhesion, and finish quality
Market Context
The 2025 edition of ExpoCoating Moscow attracted more than 40 exhibitors from Russia, Turkey, and China, demonstrating the continued international interest in the Russian market despite shifting global trade dynamics. The exhibition serves as a critical platform for companies specializing in application equipment and surface treatment technologies—sectors where the Russian market has significant import dependence.
Why ExpoCoating Matters
For professionals involved in industrial finishing, automotive coating, or manufacturing, ExpoCoating provides targeted access to the technologies that apply and finish coatings. The exhibition’s timing in October makes it an ideal opportunity for end-of-year procurement planning and for assessing technologies ahead of the following year’s production cycles.
The Broader Construction Context: MosBuild
While not exclusively a paints and coatings exhibition, MosBuild — Russia’s largest international trade fair for building and interior materials — provides an essential complementary platform for decorative paints, architectural coatings, and finishing products.
Dates and Venue
The 2026 edition of MosBuild is scheduled for March 31 – April 3, 2026, at the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre in Moscow.
Scale and Participation
MosBuild is a massive event. The 2025 edition featured over 1,300 exhibitors across more than 100,000 square meters of exhibition space, attracting over 80,000 professional visitors. The exhibition is UFI-approved (International Exhibition Alliance certified) and receives support from the Russian Ministry of Construction, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Russian Architects Union, and the Russian Designers Union.
Relevance to Paints and Coatings
While MosBuild covers the entire building materials sector, it includes substantial representation from decorative paints, varnishes, and architectural coatings. For manufacturers of consumer-facing paint products, MosBuild provides direct access to the construction and renovation market—one of the largest end-user segments for paints and coatings in Russia. The 2025 edition featured over 500 Chinese exhibitors alone, reflecting the strong international participation.
For paints and coatings professionals, MosBuild is particularly valuable for understanding trends in decorative finishes, color preferences, and the demands of the residential and commercial construction sectors.
Navigating the Moscow Paints and Coatings Exhibition Scene
For international professionals planning to attend these events, several practical considerations are essential.
Venue Logistics
Moscow’s paints and coatings exhibitions are distributed across two primary venues:
- Timiryazev Centre: Located at Verkhnyaya Alleya, 6, building 1 in Moscow. Accessible via the Petrovsko-Razumovskaya metro station, just a seven-minute walk from the venue. Hosts Interlakokraska (February).
- Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre: Located just outside the Moscow Ring Road, accessible via the Myakinino metro station. Hosts ExpoCoating Moscow (October) and MosBuild (March/April).
Annual Calendar at a Glance
For paints and coatings professionals planning their Moscow attendance, the calendar follows a logical sequence:
- February: Interlakokraska at Timiryazev Centre (comprehensive industry event, raw materials, production equipment, finished goods)
- March/April: MosBuild at Crocus Expo (decorative paints, architectural coatings, building materials)
- October: ExpoCoating Moscow at Crocus Expo (application technology, surface treatment, industrial coatings)
Registration
All major paints and coatings exhibitions in Moscow operate on a professional B2B basis and require pre-registration. For Interlakokraska, online registration is available through the official exhibition website, and the exhibition is restricted to visitors aged 12 and above.
Market Dynamics
The Russian paints and coatings market is currently characterized by several key trends visible at these exhibitions:
- Import Substitution and Raw Material Independence: A central theme at Interlakokraska’s business program, with dedicated panel discussions on the prospects for domestic raw material development
- Regulatory Evolution: The introduction of new EAEU technical regulations for paint and coating safety is reshaping product compliance requirements, making the regulatory sessions at Interlakokraska particularly valuable
- Asian Supplier Presence: Chinese, Turkish, and Iranian manufacturers have expanded their presence significantly, offering competitive alternatives to traditional Western suppliers
- Sustainability Focus: Eco-friendly water-based paints, low-VOC technologies, and green production equipment are prominent across all exhibitions, reflecting global environmental trends
- Cross-Industry Demand: Paints and coatings professionals at these exhibitions represent diverse end-user sectors, including construction, automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, woodworking, and oil and gas
Language and Communication
While major international exhibitors may have English-speaking representatives, the primary language of these events is Russian. For international exhibitors targeting Russian buyers, having printed materials in Russian and Russian-speaking staff is essential. For international visitors, engaging with Russian exhibitors may require Russian-language capabilities or an interpreter. The presence of a large Chinese contingent at these exhibitions also makes Mandarin potentially useful for networking.
Business Culture
Russian paints and coatings exhibitions are characterized by serious, technically focused conversations. Attendees include R&D professionals, procurement leaders, and executives from manufacturing and construction sectors. Come prepared with detailed technical specifications, safety data sheets, and compliance documentation for Russian and EAEU standards. Business cards are essential, and follow-up meetings are often scheduled during the event.
Moscow’s paints and coatings exhibition landscape offers a comprehensive ecosystem for professionals across the entire industry value chain. Interlakokraska provides the flagship winter platform covering everything from raw materials and production equipment to finished goods, backed by robust government support and a focused business program addressing import substitution and regulatory evolution. ExpoCoating Moscow delivers the autumn showcase specifically focused on application technology, surface treatment, and industrial coating processes. MosBuild serves as the essential complementary event for decorative paints and architectural coatings within the broader construction market context.
As Russia continues to develop its domestic production capabilities while remaining open to international partnerships, these exhibitions serve as the essential gateway to one of the world’s largest and most dynamic paints and coatings markets. For manufacturers of raw materials, production equipment, application systems, or finished coatings, a presence at these Moscow events is not merely beneficial—it is a strategic necessity for accessing the Russian and Eurasian coatings sector.
