BASF exits chromate-containing coil coating products in Japan
- Phasing out chromate-containing primers and backcoat by June 1, 2016
- Actively supports and provides tailor-made solutions to customers during changeover
Tokyo, Japan – March 25, 2015 – BASF announced today its plan to phase out chromate-containing coil coatings system in Japan and focus on an alternative technology, with a better environmental profile, by June 1, 2016. Currently, almost all primers and backcoats applied to pre-coating metal used within the Japanese construction industry contain chromate.
Although there is so far no regulation restricting its use in this industry in Japan , BASF has taken this decision in line with its Sustainable Solution Steering methodology. This externally-certified methodology is used to systematically review and evaluate the sustainability aspects of approximately 50,000 relevant product applications in the company’s portfolio, to better help its customers align environmental and societal aspects with business success.
“We are taking a step ahead to demonstrate our strong commitment to supporting our customers and stakeholders in creating a sustainable future together. We are bringing a solid alternative to the Japanese construction industry, which is of high product performance and sustainable,” said Peter Fischer, Senior Vice President, Coatings Solutions Asia Pacific, BASF.
“In the coming years, we are going to work with our customers to assist them in planning their changeover smoothly and to provide extensive technical support during this transition period. We will cooperate closely and flexibly in line with our customers’ needs,” emphasized by Kazushige Sehata , Vice President, BASF Japan Ltd.
Coil coatings are applied to steel and aluminum sheets before further processing into a wide range of products in the construction and household electrical appliances industries. The coil coating procedure offers many benefits since coating is carried out as a continuous process so that production runs without interruption. This saves materials in cleaning, pre-treatment and coating applications, as well as reducing equipment investment and energy costs .
BASF has been providing alternative technology to chromate-containing primers to the construction industry in Europe for approximately 20 years. This technology focuses on corrosion inhibition performance and replaces chromate in coil coatings. With in-depth research and substantial experience in this technology, BASF is confident of providing a more sustainable solution with the same technical performance and quality to the Japanese construction industry.
About BASF’s Coatings division
BASF’s Coatings division develops, produces and markets innovative automotive coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as decorative paints. We operate sites in Europe, North America and South America as well as Asia Pacific. Within this network, we collaborate closely with our customers all over the world. In 2014, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about €3 billion. More information about the division is available at www.basf-coatings.com.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
