Factbook
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 products and processes.
Sales by direct customer industry 2024
Global annual light vehicle production is projected to remain rather flat over the next years. BASF is well-positioned due to its diverse customer base, global presence, and comprehensive solutions for various powertrain concepts.
Portfolio
Automotive OEM coatings solutions
BASF provides complete automotive coatings solutions, including a product portfolio of:
- E-coats
- Primers
- Basecoats
- Clearcoats
In addition to offering extensive technical support, BASF is a valued innovation and design partner for nearly all leading automotive manufacturers worldwide.
Automotive refinish coatings solutions
For the refinishing of passenger cars and trucks, BASF offers topcoat 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.
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. In February 2025, BASF and Sherwin-Williams signed an agreement on the sale of the Brazilian decorative paints business. The divestiture is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to the approval of the relevant competition authority.
Surface treatment solutions
BASF is a globally leading solution provider for applied surface treatment. Under the Chemetall brand, BASF offers 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.
Market position and main competitors
The Coatings division holds one of the top three market positions in all strategic business areas in which it is active.
The main competitors (alphabetical order) include AkzoNobel, Axalta, Henkel, Kansai Paint, Nippon Paint, PPG and 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 and unique eco-efficient coatings. Additional research topics include improved products for new technology markets, such as functional films and environmentally friendly applications.
Major production sites
BASF Coatings manufactures its products at around 40 sites worldwide. The most important sites are listed below.
| Product group | Site |
| Automotive OEM | Greenville, Ohio; Guadalajara, Spain; Münster, Germany; Shanghai, China; Tultitlán, Mexico |
| Decorative paints | Demarchi and Jaboatão, Brazil |
| Refinish | Clermont de l’Oise, France; Jiangmen, China; Münster, Germany; Windsor, Canada |
| Surface treatment | Blackman Township, Michigan; Canovelles, Spain; Çayırova-Kocaeli, Turkey; Guissano, Italy; Langelsheim, Germany; Sens, France; Pune, India; Shanghai, China |
Acquisitions/JVs/investments
From 2022 onward
| Product group | Description | Year |
| Automotive OEM | Expansion of e-coat production in Greenville, Ohio | 2022 |
| Upgrade of e-coat application center in Münster, Germany | 2023 | |
| Application center upgrade in Guadalajara, Spain | 2023 | |
| Site expansion in Minhang, China | 2023 | |
| Further resin capacity expansion in Caojing, China | 2024 | |
| Capacity expansion for OEM coatings in Würzburg, Germany | 2025 | |
| Construction of a production plant for more sustainable OEM coatings in Münster, Germany | 2025 | |
| Refinish | New laboratory facility in Münster, Germany | 2022 |
| Capacity expansion in Jiangmen, China | 2022 | |
| New filling and packaging lines in Münster, Germany | 2023 | |
| Surface treatment | Global aluminum competence center in Giussano, Italy | 2024 |
Divestitures/shutdowns
From 2022 onward
| Product group | Description | Year |
| Decorative paints | BASF and Sherwin-Williams have signed an agreement on the sale of the Brazilian decorative paints business | 2025 |
Innovation
Eco-efficient automotive refinish coatings
BASF offers the refinish industry’s most advanced basecoat lines Glasurit® 100 Line and R-M® AGILIS, thus increasing the efficiency of body shops and significantly lowers the overall environmental impact. The innovative formulation reduces CO2 emissions and helps save energy with shorter process times. With the lowest level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at less than 250g/l, the basecoat systems exceed all global VOC requirements.