Nippon Paint, Asia Pacific’s leading paint company by revenue, has officially launched its premium n-SHIELD Paint Protection Film (PPF) range in New Delhi, marking a major foray into the Indian automotive film market. The n-SHIELD range is being launched globally, with India following Thailand as the second market. The cost of applying PPF on passenger cars typically ranges from INR 65,000 to INR 2 lakh, depending on the vehicle size, film variant, and coverage area.
Positioned under the n-SHIELD brand, the product portfolio includes high-performance gloss, matte, and coloured film variants, along with ceramic coatings and detailing solutions.
According to Sharad Malhotra, President of Nippon Paint India (NPI), the key driver behind the move for the 144-year-old Japanese company was the rapid global growth of the PPF market, particularly in China and the US, where it is expanding at an annual rate of 20%. Expressing optimism that India could reach a similar adoption rate within the next three years, he said this growth potential has prompted the company to launch the n-SHIELD range. Moreover, with the refinish industry no longer growing at its earlier pace, there is a clear opportunity for PPF to fill the gap—offering a new avenue for growth. This shift in market dynamics is another compelling reason behind the company’s decision to enter the PPF segment, he mentioned.
Sharad Malhotra
While the n-SHIELD range is currently targeted at the aftermarket, NPI is also in discussions with select OEMs to offer it as a genuine accessory through authorised dealerships. In parallel, the company is exploring partnerships with insurance providers, recognising that one of the key value propositions of these films lies in their ability to prevent damage. Developed over four years, the n-SHIELD films are engineered for enhanced UV resistance, superior gloss retention, and robust protection against rock chips, debris, and unexpected impacts. It also helps minimise the ‘orange peel effect’ in car painting—a common issue where the painted surface develops a textured, uneven appearance resembling the skin of an orange. Rather than achieving a smooth, glass-like finish, the paint or clear coat appears slightly bumpy or wavy. The films also come with a global e-warranty system, supporting longevity and quality assurance.
The company now onboarding distributors across India, partnering with leading car dealerships and detailing centres, and rolling out n-SHIELD Studios through franchisees to offer world-class film application and customer experience. It aims to offer these services in over 100 locations by the end of this fiscal.
Malhotra said, “When we decided to enter the film space, we leveraged our decades of paint experience to develop the best products for all market categories. Our eventual goal is to manufacture these films in India, supporting the government's Make in India initiative.” Till that time, it will import from Japan and China, he said, adding that the company will also introduce films for all types of glasses in a car including sunroof and headlamps.
With the launch of n-SHIELD, Nippon Paint is positioning itself as a comprehensive surface protection provider—offering not just paints, but also a technologically advanced film range to meet the evolving demands of Indian car owners. PPF, he said, will enhance the life of coatings fulfilling sustainability goals as the need for repainting will be minimal. As part of its offerings, the company is also developing heat-resistant paints for buses and trains, which will help contain the energy consumed towards air-conditioning.
At the brand unveiling event, Nippon Paint also announced its official partnership with the India Champions cricket team, featuring iconic players such as Yuvraj Singh. The partnership symbolises the shared values of protection, durability, and peak performance, both on the cricket field and on the road.
The company plans to leverage its sports partnership to engage customers and reward channel partners while building a trusted brand in India’s growing automotive aftermarket.
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