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
- 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, Sherwin Williams
- 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 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 |
| 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.