Coatings
BASF’s Coatings division offers innovative and ecologically viable products for the automotive industry, including both the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and refinish markets, as well as surface treatment solutions for a variety of end markets. BASF also develops and markets decorative paints in Brazil for interior and exterior use in residential and commercial buildings. We combine protection and aesthetics with eco-efficiency in tailor-made customer products and processes.
Sales by region 2018 (location of customer)
Sales by direct customer industry 2018
Portfolio
Automotive OEM coatings solutions
BASF provides complete automotive coatings solutions, including:
- E-coats
- Primers
- Basecoats
- Clearcoats
In addition to offering extensive technical support, BASF is a valued innovation and design partner for nearly all leading automobile manufacturers worldwide.
Automotive refinish coatings solutions
For the refinishing of passenger cars and trucks, BASF offers top- and undercoat materials sold under the global premium brands Glasurit® and R-M® as well as the value-for-money brands baslac®, LIMCO®, Norbin® and Yinfan®, which are sold to paint distributors and automotive repair shops. BASF is a leader in the fields of waterborne coatings and high-solid systems, enhanced by value-added services and tools for end users.
Surface treatment solutions
BASF is a globally leading solution provider for applied surface treatment. We offer customized technology and system solutions to protect metals from corrosion, facilitate forming and machining, allow parts to be optimally prepared for the painting process and ensure proper coating adhesion. These products are used in a wide range of industries and end markets, such as automotive, aerospace, aluminum finishing and metal forming.
Decorative paints
For interior and exterior use in buildings, BASF offers decorative paints, marketed, for example, under the premium brand Suvinil®, which is one of Brazil’s best-known brands. With constant innovation launches, such as super-concentrated premium interior and exterior paint, Suvinil® continues to strengthen its role as a pioneer in the area of innovative paints.
Passenger car and light commercial vehicle production
Source: Global automotive production forecast April 2019 (LMXA)
Automotive is the most important customer industry for BASF’s coatings business. The number of cars and light commercial vehicles produced globally is expected to grow by around 10 million units over the next four years. The main growth driver is Asia – in particular China – where BASF is excellently positioned to participate in the growth opportunities.
BASF’s market position
- Automotive OEM coatings: No. 2 globally
- Automotive refinish coatings: No. 3 globally
- Surface treatment: No. 2 globally
- Decorative paints: No. 1 in Brazil
Main competitors
- Automotive OEM coatings: PPG, Axalta, Kansai Paint
- Automotive refinish coatings: Axalta, PPG, AkzoNobel
- Surface treatment: Henkel, PPG, Nihon Parkerizing, Nippon Paint
- Decorative paints South America: AkzoNobel, Sherwin Williams
Focus of research and development
Our innovation efforts for the automotive industry are focused on close partnerships with our customers in order to formulate, for instance, new coatings solutions for integrated processes, unique eco-efficient coatings and clearcoats with extremely improved durability by using the latest crosslinking technologies. Additional research topics include improved products for new technology markets (for example, functional films) and environmentally friendly applications.
Acquisitions/JVs/investments
(from 2016 onward)
| Product group | Description | Year |
| Automotive OEM | Paint production in Bangpoo, Thailand | 2017 |
| Basecoats and intermediates production in Shanghai, China | 2017 | |
| Waterborne production capacity expansion in Tultitlán, Mexico | 2018 | |
| Expansion of e-coat production in Whitehouse, Ohio |
2019 | |
| Shanghai automotive application center, China | 2019 | |
| Resin plant in Caojing, China | 2020 | |
| Refinish | Acquisition of the automotive refinish coatings business of Guangdong Yinfan Chemistry Co. Ltd., China | 2016 |
| New competence center in Houston, Texas | 2016 | |
| New laboratory facilities in Münster, Germany | 2019 | |
| Surface treatment | Acquisition of Chemetall | 2016 |
| Capacity increase for aerospace in Langelsheim, Germany | 2019 | |
| New surface treatment site in Pinghu, China | 2021 |
Divestitures/shutdowns
(from 2016 onward)
| Product group | Description | Year |
| Industrial coatings | Divestiture of the industrial coatings business | 2016 |
Major production sites
BASF Coatings’ products are manufactured at 40 sites worldwide. Our most important sites for each product group are listed below.
| Product group | Site |
| Automotive OEM | Münster, Germany; Guadalajara, Spain; Shanghai, China; Greenville, Ohio; Tultitlán, Mexico |
| Refinish | Münster, Germany; Clermont de l’Oise, France; Windsor, Canada; Jiangmen, China |
| Surface treatment | Langelsheim, Germany; Sens, France; Guissano, Italy; Boksburg, South Africa; Shanghai, China; Blackman Township, Michigan |
| Decorative | Demarchi and Jaboatão, Brazil |
Innovation
NORBIN® 66 waterborne basecoat
To provide cost-efficient coatings that help our customers reduce VOC emissions, NORBIN® 66 waterborne basecoat was developed in the automotive refinish research and development center in Jiangmen, China. The basecoat system offers easy-to-mix blending capability, hiding efficiency, short drying time, and reduced material waste. The waterborne formulation technology of NORBIN® 66 underscores BASF’s commitment to sustainability and to making our customers more successful with innovative and high-quality products.