Interest in "heat-reflective paint," which lowers building temperatures, has surged sharply amid a record-breaking heat wave.
KCC (002380) said on the 6th that inquiries related to heat-reflective paint increased more than fivefold from the same period a year earlier, based on an analysis of inquiry types received by its customer center and sales teams nationwide from June through the 5th of this month.
Heat-reflective paint is a functional coating that reflects infrared rays contained in sunlight and releases absorbed heat to the outside, suppressing surface temperature increases.
Inquiries were concentrated on the installation cost, functions and effects, and installation methods of heat-reflective paint. KCC explained that the increase reflects a growing number of institutions and consumers seeking ways to lower indoor building temperatures as the heat wave persisted following the monsoon season. In fact, when heat-reflective paint was applied under KCC's "Cool Roof Support Program," the building's exterior surface temperature was found to be about 15 degrees lower than before installation. The Cool Roof Support Program is a social contribution activity that cools interiors by painting heat-reflective coating on rooftops.
Sales have also been steadily increasing. From 2023, when KCC began full-scale sales of heat-reflective paint, through last year, sales of related coatings—including the heat-reflective paint (topcoat) and the primer and intermediate coat products needed for installation—exceeded a total of 700,000 liters. On an installation basis, this amounts to approximately 150,000 square meters (about 45,000 pyeong), equivalent to the size of 21 soccer fields.
Heat-reflective paint installation is generally done by first applying a primer and intermediate coat for waterproofing, then finally painting the heat-reflective coating.
Annual sales have also continued to rise. Sales in 2025 doubled compared with 2023, and from the start of this year through the 5th of this month, sales surged more than 60% from the same period a year earlier.
KCC handles products by use, including "Spotan Topcoat (Energy)" for rooftops and roofs, "Supuro Heat-Reflective Topcoat Plus" for building rooftops, and "Sporoad Cool" for walkways and bicycle paths.
"As the record-breaking heat wave continues, more customers are seeking heat-reflective paint that lowers the heat of buildings, walkways and bicycle paths," said Kim Kwang-ju, managing director and head of KCC's distribution paint business division.
