Coatings

BASF’s Coatings division offers innovative and ecologically viable solutions for the automotive industry, including both the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and refinish markets, as well as surface treatment solutions for a variety of 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 2019 (location of customer)

Sales by direct customer industry 2019

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 topand 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. Under our Chemetall brand, 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 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 May 2020 (LMCA)

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 in the medium term. The main growth driver is Asia – in particular China – where BASF is well positioned to participate in the growth opportunities.

BASF’s market position

Main competitors

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.

Key capabilities of BASF

Innovative long-term cooperation with leading OEM customers
Technical on-site support at customer locations, creating additional value and long-term relationships
Services and tools within automotive industry to deal with color complexity
Leveraging strong market position and application know-how from mature markets into growing markets
Global production and market presence

Acquisitions/JVs/investments

(from 2017 onward)

Product group	Description	Year
Automotive OEM	Paint production in Bangpoo, Thailand	2017
	Basecoats and intermediates production in Shanghai, China	2017
	Waterborne capacity expansion in Tultitlán, Mexico	2019
	Construction of automotive application center in Shanghai, China	2019
	Resin capacity expansion in Caojing, China	2020
	Expansion of e-coat production in Greenville, Ohio	2020
	Spraybooth capacity upgrade in Windsor, Canada	2020
	Upgrade of e-coat application center in Münster, Germany	2021
	Application center upgrade in Guadalajara, Spain	2022
Refinish	Acquisition of UBench BV, Turnhout, Belgium	2019
	New laboratory facility in Münster, Germany	2021
	Capacity expansion in Jiangmen, China	2022
Surface treatment	Capacity increase for Naftoseal^® aircraft sealant production in Langelsheim, Germany	2019
Surface treatment	New surface treatment site in Pinghu, China	2021
New business development	New production for functional films in Münster, Germany	2020

Major production sites

BASF Coatings manufactures its products at more than 70 sites worldwide. Our most important sites 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 paints	Demarchi and Jaboatão, Brazil

Innovation

Coatings for overspray-free application

The overspray-free painting process is new to the automotive industry. It has been designed for two-tone coatings, allowing paint application on defined areas like car roofs, with a 100% transfer efficiency. We have developed a matching basecoat system for our customers which enables this innovative coating application. With overspray-free application, both the design variety and individualization of a car can be increased while achieving significant savings in manual work, time, costs and material in the paint line.

Last Update June 19, 2020