BASF Coatings Spa and Honda Italia Industriale seal partnership

Münster/Atessa. BASF Coatings Spa and Honda Italia Industriale Spa have just signed a supply contract for electrocoating (e-coating) products and products for coating plastic add-on parts. Honda motorcycles and scooters in Europe and North America are now coated with BASF Coatings’ paints. Honda Italia Industriale is the Italian subsidiary of Honda Motor Co, the world’s largest motorcycle producer, which has been manufacturing motorcycles for the European market since 1971. With 800 employees and an annual turnover of EUR 764 million, Honda Italia alone accounts for 40 percent of the brand’s motorcycle sales in Europe.

The contract covers the supply of e-coating products for the new coating line for motorcycle frames, which started operation in March 2006. The coating line is located at the Atessa site (Chieti province), where 160,000 motorcycles are produced for the European and US market each year. The coating line’s 25-cubic-meter tank now contains only BASF Coatings’ products. This is where the frames of all Honda motorcycle models are coated.

The impetus for choosing BASF Coatings’ paints was the outstanding quality and in particular, the high level of corrosion protection of the innovative e-coating system, CathoGuard® 580 Black. CathoGuard®, a leadfree product, stands out due to its high efficiency and contains less than one percent solvents. Thanks to these properties, less material is required, which in turn benefits the environment. This is key for both Honda and BASF Coatings.

CathoGuard® passed the test phase in which the tank was filled for the first time and the coating line fine-tuned. Production has already started. With the partnership with Honda, BASF has achieved an important goal, thanks to the commitment of the CR team (automotive refinish products) and in particular, to that of the Commercial Transport System (CTS) unit headed by Michele Bassini (head of CTS Account ManagementBASF Coatings Spa). Says Bassini, “I thank my team, which lives out this partnership every day with their technical skills, high level of competence, and individual attention to our customer Honda.”

The partnership is being expanded. BASF Coatings and Honda are working consistently to constantly develop the technologies in order to work even more efficiently.


BASF : A major international player in coatings

BASF Coatings AG belongs to the global Coatings Division of the BASF Group. In 2005 the Coatings Division achieved world sales of about 2,2 billion euros. The Coatings Division develops, produces and markets a high-quality range of innovative automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as decorative paints, and also the processes needed to apply them. In this business, eco-efficient water-based, powder and high-solids coatings as well as radiation-curable systems play a special part. In Brazil, the company has been successful in the decorative paints market for years and holds the leading position. BASF has a major, global presence in the Coatings sector, with significant market positions in Europe, North America, South America and the Asia/Pacific region, for example with affiliates in Australia, China, India, Japan, and the Philippines. The internet address of BASF Coatings is www.basf-coatings.com

BASF Automotive Solutions. Performance Passion Success

BASF – The Chemical Company – is a leading-edge source of intelligent sustainable solutions to automotive manufacturers and their suppliers worldwide. With a full portfolio of technologies that include coatings, catalysts, engineering thermoplastics, polyurethanes, pigments and colorants, coolants and brake fluids for a broad array of exterior, interior, chassis and under-the-hood applications, BASF – The Chemical Company - develops and delivers the innovations that help the automotive industry improve the quality, appearance, safety, cost competitiveness, performance, comfort, fuel efficiency, sustainability. Website: www.automotive.basf.com

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