Belgium – Demand for water-based coatings for industrial projects grows in Mexico and South Korea

RD COATINGS – DOTHEE S.A. is a small family-owned Belgian company producing high performance protective coatings for industrial and commercial buildings.

The firm has developed a water-based technology that provides a more eco-friendly option compared to traditional solvent-based coating systems. This was key to enabling RD Coatings to export products all over the world, from North- and South America to Asia.

How the EU’s free trade agreements with Mexico and South Korea help

The company has been exporting to South Korea since 2018 and to Mexico since 2020.

When they started invoicing customers, they received information from Belgian customs about how the EU-Mexico and EU-Korea FTAs could make customs procedures easier for them.

The FTAs enable the family-owned company to simplify the procedures, saving many hours of administration work – thanks to the REX number that certifies the EU origin of the goods they manufacture. The FTA also helps them to be more competitive in Mexico, since none of RD’s products pay a duty when imported to Mexico with a valid Certificate of Origin.

Anything that can be done more easily is always very much appreciated in a small company like ours. We think that the FTAs with Mexico and South Korea are very beneficial, helping to make logistics flows smoother and faster, and reducing paperwork. We expect to see growth in the next five years in both countries, as we are ending the evaluation phases on different projects.

Jean-Xavier Van Laethem,
Sales & Marketing Manager,
RD COATINGS – DOTHEE S.A.

Expanding business in Latin America 

DOTHEE S.A has a growing interest in Latin America.  The company sees the Mercosur region as a key opportunity, especially in Brazil and Colombia, where demand is rising. However, high tariffs and regulatory barriers currently limit competitiveness in these markets. The trade agreement with Mercosur would significantly ease access and boost export potential.  

DOTHEE is ready to activate local partners once the EU-Mercosur agreement is in place to scale operations quickly. 

Watch the company's testimony

Key facts

• Founded in: 1946
• Headquarters: Assesse, Belgium
• Employees: 25
• Annual turnover: +/- € 8,500,000