BASF presents innovations for the Mexican automotive industry

Münster/Ludwigshafen/Mexico City. “Intelligent solutions for the automotive industry” was the title of a conference sponsored by BASF and the Mexican Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) at the DaimlerChrysler headquarters in Mexico City. Over 300 interested parties, including representatives of the Mexican automotive industry such as DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, and Nissan, as well as suppliers and delegates from Mexico’s large universities learned about BASF’s latest innovative solutions for the industry.

Peter A. Fischer, Director of BASF Coatings Division in Mexico, David Vorgerd, Coordinator of BASF's Global Automotive Steering Committee (GASC), and Professor Volker Warzelhan, BASF Senior Vice President of Global Polymer Research Thermoplastics, launched the two-hour event with their contributions.

In his lecture, Vorgerd presented BASF’s approach for the automotive industry and provided several examples of innovative technologies BASF offers in response to new trends and demands posed by the industry. The solutions included customer-oriented innovative OEM coatings systems such as the "Integrated Processes", which allow savings in the coating process, the Elastogran product range, including sprayable insulation materials, an innovative idea for more driving comfort, as well as BASF Engineering Plastics "Ultramid", which cuts weight and costs in engine mountings.

Professor Warzelhans’ presentation was entitled “Innovation – Pipeline – Automotive”. He emphasized the role of nanotechnology, considered to be the main driver for innovations in the automotive industry today. Several examples of BASF solutions in plastics, foams, pigments, coatings, performance chemicals, and biotechnology were presented to the public. The solutions aim to find options for flexible production, comfort, and convenience, surface appearance and quality, safety and sustainability.

On behalf of BASF, Peter A. Fischer and Klaus Frei, Director of BASF Chemical in Mexico, were recognized for the company’s sponsorship of the conference.

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About BASF Coatings

BASF Coatings, the Coatings Division of the BASF Group, develops, produces and markets a high-quality range of innovative automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as decorative paints. BASF has significant market positions in the Coatings sector in Europe, North America, South America and the Asia/Pacific region. In 2006 BASF Coatings achieved global sales of about 2.3 billion euros. 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