Milestones - from a small company to a global player

We build and share our expertise in surface solutions and coatings for over 130 years – serving our customers since 1888.

Our coatings business was founded in Hamburg by a company for paint and colorants and has been part of BASF since 1965. In 2016, BASF acquired Chemetall, a leading global supplier of applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries and end markets. With this expansion in portfolio, BASF becomes a more complete solution provider for coatings.

Embark on an exciting journey back in time through more than 130 years of coatings history and follow the evolution from a regional coatings company to a global provider for surface solutions.

Our Innovations

Get to know our milestones of innovations.

Driving Innovation

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1888 - Founded by Max Winkelmann

In 1888, merchant Max Winkelmann (1862-1935) establishes a company in Hamburg, Germany, to sell coatings and colorants. Five years later, he has five employees and starts to deliver his first own paint color, “Kristallweiß” (crystal white). Steamer ships, naval ships and even the German Emperor Wilhelm II’s “Hohenzollern” imperial yacht are painted with the white paint, which is then also called “Hohenzollern white.”

historical picture of basf surface solution protective mask

1898 - A Chinaman’s head as the company’s trademark

Ten years after its founding, the young successful company searches for an all-encompassing distinguishing mark for its paints and oils. From this point on, the newly coined word “Glasurit” is to emphasize the glaze-like hardness of the paint finish. The Chinaman’s head trademark points to the origin and long tradition of paint production in China.

Foundation stone basf surface solutions 1903

1903 - Foundation stone for Muenster-Hiltrup plant

Not far from the economically flourishing industrial area along the Ruhr river, Max Winkelmann establishes a branch in rural Hiltrup, Germany. With direct access to a train connection and the Dortmund-Ems Canal, it will evolve into the company’s headquarters. A year later, the water tower is already erected - which to this day remains the site’s landmark.

historical picture of the basf surface solutions team in 1908

1908 - The company goes public

In 1908, the company goes public under the name Glasurit-Werke Max Winkelmann AG and is capitalized with 1.8 million gold marks. Exports abroad gain in importance and Max Winkelmann expands the product range. Now the first carriages are protected with Glasurit paints – while in far-away America the first Ford Model T cars from assembly line production roll through the streets.

1919 - R-M is founded

In 1919, Herbert Mason joins forces with Fred Rinshed to form the Rinshed-Mason Company, which soon becomes the largest paint supplier to the growing automotive industry in Detroit.

66 years later, BASF AG will acquire the U.S.-based Inmont Group companies and through this acquisition, also the R-M brand.

1925 - A parrot for the Golden Twenties

In the “Golden Twenties,” colored paints become increasingly popular. Even at that stage Glasurit people were customer-focused and therefore looked for a symbol that reflected the joy of color on the packaging itself. The exotic parrot is soon identified as a suitable emblem, due to its striking colors. The parrot has been the trademark of Glasurit paints since 1925.

Old magazine cover: Glasurit and Glasso all over the world

1928 - One step beyond the country borders

Glasurit-Werke grows continuously. In 1928, new plants are established in London and Paris. Five years later, the Hiltrup plant is expanded by 4,320 square meters. With its more than 1,000 employed workers, it now is Europe’s largest paint factory.

historical picture of the first metallic painted car

1931 - R-M creates first metallic paint

R-M, today automotive refinish brand of BASF, launches the first metallic paint for cars.

Old drawing of the Hiltrup site at the time of World War two

1943-1945 - World War II

Toward the end of World War II, parts of the plants in Hamburg and Hiltrup are destroyed. After the war, reconstruction begins and production is resumed.

1948 - Introduction of the first mixing base system

R-M, today automotive refinish brand of BASF, introduces the first mixing base system to the market.

1965 - BASF enters the coatings business

BASF takes over Glasurit-Werke Max Winkelmann. This marks the launch of a coatings and colorants business within BASF.

1969 - Suvinil becomes a part of BASF

BASF Group purchases a 60 percent share in Suvinil S.A. Industria e Comercio de Tintas, Sao Paulo.

1969 - Acquisition of Urruzola S.A.

The BASF Group acquires Urruzola S.A., one of Spain’s most prominent paint companies. Marine paints are its core business.

1970 - First waterborne paints by R-M

R-M, today automotive refinish brand of BASF, introduces the first waterborne OEM paints.

1972 - Founding of BASF Farben + Fasern AG

BASF consolidates the paints, coatings, fibers and printing inks operations and parts of the pigment sector, and establishes the BASF Farben + Fasern AG. To this end, the wholly-owned subsidiaries of BASF AG merge: Glasurit-Werke M. Winkelmann GmbH (Hamburg), Herbol-Werke Herbig Haarhaus AG (Cologne), G. Siegle & Co. GmbH (Stuttgart), Kast + Ehinger GmbH (Stuttgart) and BASF Spinntechnik AG (Hamburg).

1979 - Move toward the United States

BASF gains access to the important U.S. market by acquiring 49 percent of the traditional Cook Paint and Varnish Co. paint manufacturer. This company supplies paint to all well-known U.S. carmakers.

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1982 - New plant in Spain

Following two years of construction, the new Glasurit S.A. site in Guadalajara, Spain, becomes operational. The initial output is devoted exclusively to OEM automotive coatings.

1985 - Acquisition of Inmont and R-M by BASF

BASF AG acquires the U.S.-based Inmont Group companies. Through this acquisition, the automotive refinish business of the well-established R-M brand is acquired as well. Since its founding in 1919, R-M has introduced numerous innovations to the market, such as the first metallic paint in 1931 and the first OEM waterborne paint in 1970.

1986 - “Farben + Fasern” becomes “Lacke + Farben”

The fiber operations are transferred to BASF Aktiengesellschaft, the remaining activities and headquarters are moved from Hamburg to Münster. The change is reflected in the new name of the company: BASF Lacke + Farben AG.

In Würzburg, the production of waterborne basecoats begins. These basecoats are already used by Opel and Volvo one year later.

1987 - License production in China

BASF starts license production in China to serve Volkswagen.

1989 - Acquisition of Aurolín

BASF acquires Pinturas Aurolín S.A., one of the largest Mexican paint manufacturers with production sites in Hermosillo, Mexico City, Vallejo and Ensenada. Aurolín manufactures automotive, packaging and industrial coatings. BASF is now in a position to satisfy the rising demand for coatings from local production.

1991 - Points of sale open in China

Glasurit refinish paints are launched in China with the establishment of two points of sale, one in Shanghai, another in Beijing. Rising Chinese imports of cars spur the demand for appropriate refinishing materials.

basf_surface_solutions_timeline_1992_Ecological innovations_Porsche.jpg

1991-1992 - Ecological innovations

BASF is the first paint manufacturer to implement an eco-efficient chromate-free universal primer for the coil coatings process. The waterborne “Glasurit 90 Line” automotive refinish system is introduced for the first time in 1992.

1993 - Investment in Eastern Germany

A new highly efficient, fully automated plant to produce waterborne automotive OEM coatings at BASF's site in Schwarzheide, near Dresden, Germany, starts operation after two years of construction. It marks BASF's first investment after Germany's reunification in a production plant at the newly-acquired site in the state of Brandenburg.

1993 - A museum of lacquer art

BASF opens the Museum of Lacquer Art in Münster, Germany. BASF obtains a basic inventory of about 400 collector’s items after taking over Herbol-Werke. BASF purchases an additional 400 lacquer art objects in 1982 from Prof. Kurt Herberts.

1995 - Colormaster is born

R-M’s color identification tool, Colormaster, is launched and revolutionizes color matching. The tool enables customers to conveniently access over 100,000 color formulations and the relevant technical information on the internet.

1997 - BASF Coatings AG

BASF Lacke + Farben AG is renamed BASF Coatings AG.

1997 - BASF Shanghai Coatings Ltd.

BASF Shanghai Coatings Co., Ltd. is a 60/40 joint venture company of BASF and the Shanghai Huayi Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., formerly called “Shanghai Coatings Co., Ltd.”. The company manufactures and sells various automotive OEM coating products. Located in the immediate vicinity of its customers, BASF Shanghai Coatings has all installations required to ensure efficient manufacturing and tailoring of products to the customer’s needs as well as a high-level quality standard and fast service.

2000 - Expansion of the coil coatings business

BASF takes over the worldwide coil coatings business of Norsk Hydro ASA, Oslo, which is concentrated in the Hydro Coatings Group, UK. Through the acquisition, BASF has joined the world top league in this business.

2000 - Production in Japan

Foundation of a 50/50 joint venture with NOF Corporation: BASF NOF Coatings Co. Ltd. This makes BASF the first western coatings manufacturer with production operations in Japan.

2002 - Down Under

Acquisition of the automotive coatings business from Wattyl Ltd. in Sydney, Australia (automotive refinish coatings and automotive OEM coatings).

2004 - Coil coatings in China

BASF’s Coatings division extends its presence in the Chinese market and strengthens its coil coatings activities in Shanghai.

2005 - Establishment of BASF Japan Coatings Ltd.

BASF acquires full ownership of BASF NOF Coatings Co., Ltd. and establishes BASF Japan Coatings Ltd.

2006 - Integrated Process II at BMW

Integrated Process II is used for the first time in 2006 at the BMW Oxford plant in Great Britain for the production of BMW’s Mini Oxford. By integrating the functions of the filler into the basecoat, an entire coating step is eliminated.

2007 - Global decorative paints business

With the acquisition of Degussa Construction Chemicals, the RELIUS Group is integrated. This means that BASF is represented in the European sector with its decorative paints.

2008 - Coatings in Russia

BASF is the first international paint manufacturer to open a production facility in Russia. At the new facility in Pavlovskii Posad, near Moscow, primarily automotive paints (basecoats and clearcoats) are produced.

2009 - Color Design Studio in Münster

Opening of the Color Design Studio in Münster.
BASF expands the lab and production capacities for waterborne basecoats at its Würzburg site and opens the new Refinish Competence Center (a training center for spray painters) at its Münster site. Furthermore, BASF expands its coatings business in ASEAN, with Thailand at the center, to serve the market for motorcycles, industrial coatings and the automotive industry.

2009 - Scratch prevention with higher gloss

BASF develops iGloss^®, an innovative automotive OEM clearcoat. It not only has a brilliant appearance, but also provides long-lasting scratch resistance, has a long life cycle and is resistant to environmental impacts.

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2010 - BASF Coatings AG becomes a GmbH

BASF Coatings changes its legal form from that of a stock corporation to a limited liability company. The corresponding entry in the Commercial Register is made in March 2010. As a ‘GmbH’, BASF Coatings will benefit more from the integration into the group and divisional structures of the BASF Group.

2010 - New electrocoat generation

The new electrocoat (e-coat) generation CathoGuard 800^®, which is the first layer of the paint system and provides corrosion protection, has a very low solvent content and saves material due to its high efficiency. The technology is perfectly suitable for integrated application processes, in which no primer coat is applied, and it is a popular alternative to e-coats containing tin.

2010 - Multifunctional application robot

BASF presents the new multifunctional application robot M-ROB. The M-ROB simulates all situations at coating lines worldwide and offers more technical options than its “robot colleagues” at customer lines. It can be outfitted with all types and generations of atomizers. After its successful premiere at the Application Center in Würzburg in late summer 2010, additional M-ROBs are put into operation at the BASF sites in Münster, Germany; Tultitlán, Mexico; Shanghai, China and Guadalajara, Spain.

2010 - The car of the future

Hyundai and BASF introduce their jointly developed i-flow concept at the Geneva International Motor Show.

2011 - Global training network expanding

With the opening of the new training center for automotive refinishing in Toluca, Mexico, BASF’s Coatings division adds once more a new hub to its global training network.

2011 - 25 years of waterborne basecoats

BASF creates an anniversary color that demonstrates what is possible a quarter century after waterborne basecoats were introduced. Twenty-five years before in Würzburg, the company was the first paint manufacturer to launch the production of waterborne basecoats. At the paint line at the Opel plant in Bochum, the first cars were coated with the environmentally friendly technology.

2012 - New coatings technical support lab in India

A new coatings technical support lab is set up at Mangalore, India. The new facility will support lab activities including product development, analytical testing, certification and new pigment qualification.

2012 - New paint application center in Mexico

BASF inaugurates its paint application center and an extension of its development laboratory at the production site in Tultitlán, Mexico. It aims to strengthen the technical support for the automotive industry and to develop sustainable and customized coating materials and technologies.

2012 - BASF conducts Eco-Efficiency Analysis

The Eco-Efficiency Analysis developed by BASF and Dürr, a company for mechanical and plant engineering, looks at environmental impact in proportion to a product's cost-effectiveness. It helps BASF and its customers decide which products are the best choices, both ecologically and economically.

2012 - Sale of RELIUS

BASF sells the decorative paints business of Relius Coatings GmbH & Co. KG in Germany and Relius France SAS in France to Prosol Lacke + Farben GmbH. After the sale, the industrial coatings business of the Relius Coatings GmbH is integrated into the BASF Coatings GmbH early 2013.

2013 - Building as power station

BASF supports SPECIFIC, the Sustainable Product Engineering Centre for Innovative Functional Industrial Coatings in Baglan, Wales. SPECIFIC’s vision is to develop functional coatings for roofs and walls that generate, store and release renewable energy – and, in so doing, transform “buildings into power stations”, delivering significant environmental and economic benefits.

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2013 - ASEAN Technical Competence Center

BASF opens a new Technical Competence Center for coatings in Thailand to support the dynamically growing motorcycle market throughout the ASEAN region.

2013 - Global network expands

New Refinish Competence Centers (RCC) in Clermont, France; Cesano Maderno, Italy and Sydney, Australia will offer customers an opportunity to learn, practice and fully master the use of BASF’s automotive refinish products.

2013 - XSpark^® coating makes cars sparkle

The BASF experts develop a new basecoat: “XSpark^® ̶ designed by BASF”. It contains very fine glass particles that reflect the light with greater precision, thus creating a pronounced sparkle.

2013 - Superior edge protection for rotor blades

BASF develops RELEST^® Wind LEP technology, a paint that protects rotor blades of wind turbines from harsh weather conditions.

2014 - Investment in the resin production in Münster

BASF expands and optimizes the resin production at its Münster site. The investment in resin production will result in an expansion of the production capacity. Thanks to a better heating technique it will also contribute to a significant improvement of the environmental performance.

2014 - Ground-breaking ceremony for new resin plant

The foundation stone is laid for a new resin and electrocoat (e-coat) plant at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Shanghai, China. The plant will help to address the increasing demand for high quality coatings solutions in various growing industries, notably the automotive industry, in Asia Pacific.

2014_ProductionofWBAutomotiveCoatingsexpandsinBrazil_Demarchi.jpg

2014 - Expansion in Brazil

BASF expands its Demarchi coatings site, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to service Brazil’s growing automotive industry with waterborne automotive coatings.

2014 - New automotive coatings plant in China

BASF inaugurates its new automotive coatings plant at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Shanghai, China. The expansion of its automotive coatings production capacity further strengthens the company’s presence in China and its position as a leading coatings supplier to the automotive industry.

2014 - 50^th anniversary in Japan

The Totsuka site in Japan celebrates its 50^th anniversary. Since it was founded in 1964, Totsuka has been an important hub for research and development, production and supply in the Asia Pacific region.

2014 - New RCC opens in South Africa

BASF launches its first high-tech Refinish Competence Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. The new facility is the first of its kind in South Africa and offers its customers hands-on training.

2015 - 150 years BASF and 50 years Coatings business

Established in 1865, BASF celebrates its 150^th anniversary. The company also introduces a new claim: “We create chemistry”. This change of the company’s brand identity underlines how BASF collaborates and innovates with customers and partners to contribute to a sustainable future. 2015 also marks the 50^th anniversary of the coatings business within BASF.

Der Unternehmensbereich Coatings der BASF eröffnet das neue Coatings Technical Competence Center ASEAN in Bangkok, Thailand / BASF’s Coatings division opens new Coatings Technical Competence Center ASEAN in Bangkok, Thailand

2015 - Technical Competence Center ASEAN

Leading chemical company BASF, together with its long-term partner and customer, Guangdong TGPM Automotive Industry Group Co. Ltd. (TGPM), today inaugurated the BASF-TGPM Automotive Refinish Competence Center (RCC). This new premium training platform and brand experience center, located in Foshan, Guangdong Province, will serve customers from around Asia.

2016 - BASF completes acquisition of Chemetall

BASF has completed its acquisition of Albemarle’s global surface treatment business, Chemetall. Through this acquisition, BASF’s Coatings division expands its portfolio to become a more complete solutions provider.

2016 - Sale of industrial coatings to AkzoNobel

The transaction includes technologies, patents and trademarks, as well as the transfer of dedicated production sites in Deeside, United Kingdom, and Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. As a result of this transaction, AkzoNobel will now operate the global coil, furniture foil and panel coatings, wind coatings and general industry businesses acquired from BASF, as well as the commercial transport business in EMEA.

2018 - Modular lab for automotive OEM coatings

BASF’s Coatings division has opened a new laboratory for automotive OEM coatings at its site in Münster, Germany. The modular “Lean Lab” concept aims to ensure optimized, digitalized and transparent processes and efficient use of resources in the laboratory area throughout Europe.

2019 - Plant for functionalizing foils

BASF starts up a plant for functionalizing foils at the Münster site. The barrier foils produced at the plant protect items such as thin-film photovoltaics from harmful environmental stresses. Other areas of application for the foils include OLED displays and thin-film batteries.

2019 - Refinish Competence Center in Spain reopend

The fundamental reason for the modernization was BASF’s innovative spirit as well as its commitment to its customers. With a clear focus on sustainability and environmental protection, BASF has installed equipment with maximum energy efficiency and minimum emissions.

Der neue Standort für Oberflächentechnik der Marke Chemetall in Pinghu, China, wird voraussichtlich 2021 seinen Betrieb aufnehmen / Chemetall's new surface treatment site in Pinghu, China is expected to commence in 2021

2019 - New Surface treatment site in China

The Surface Treatment global business unit of the Coatings division of BASF, operating under the Chemetall brand, has started construction of its surface treatment site in the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone of Pinghu, Zhejiang province, China. The new site is expected to commence operation in the first quarter of 2021. The new site is designed in a highly energy-efficient and sustainable manner, offering the potential for future expansion and the flexibility to adapt to new production requirements in the years ahead.

2019 - BASF acquires majority of UBench

BASF acquires a majority share of the internet platform UBench with offices in Turnhout and Geel, Belgium. The Innovative internet platform combines the total car life cycle management with the enhancement of the mobility service to the driver.

2019 – New lab in Langelsheim

The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, has inaugurated a new laboratory and office building in Langelsheim, Germany. This completes the expansion of the production site in Lower Saxony which focuses on the development and production of aerospace technologies.

2020 - BASF and DiDi enter partnership

BASF and DiDi, the world’s leading mobile transportation platform, signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, where Xiaoju Autocare (Xiaoju Yangche), a subsidiary of DiDi, is headquartered. According to the agreement, BASF will provide DiDi with sustainable automotive refinish products developed at its research and production site in Jiangmen. These products, designed for the Chinese market, will help reduce VOC emissions and meet the stringent standards implemented in various cities in China.

The new refinish product line meets the highest expectations of modern body shops

2020 - New waterborne basecoat line

Being the pioneer in waterborne coatings solutions for the automotive industry, BASF’s Coatings division now presents its new, most advanced refinish product line. By increasing the efficiency and significantly lowering the environmental impact, the products meet the highest expectations of modern body shops.

Festive opening of the laboratory building in Münster, Germany

2022 - New laboratory building in Münster

BASF opened a new laboratory building for the development of automotive refinish coatings and innovations beyond paint at its site in Münster, Germany. It underlines the Coatings division’s global position as a future-oriented and innovative company.

Milestones - from a small company to a global player

Our Innovations

From 1888 to the end of 1970s

1888 - Founded by Max Winkelmann

1898 - A Chinaman’s head as the company’s trademark

1903 - Foundation stone for Muenster-Hiltrup plant

1908 - The company goes public

1919 - R-M is founded

1925 - A parrot for the Golden Twenties

1928 - One step beyond the country borders

1931 - R-M creates first metallic paint

1943-1945 - World War II

1948 - Introduction of the first mixing base system

1965 - BASF enters the coatings business

1969 - Suvinil becomes a part of BASF

1969 - Acquisition of Urruzola S.A.

1970 - First waterborne paints by R-M

1972 - Founding of BASF Farben + Fasern AG

1979 - Move toward the United States

The 1980s, 1990s and 2000s

1982 - New plant in Spain

1985 - Acquisition of Inmont and R-M by BASF

1986 - “Farben + Fasern” becomes “Lacke + Farben”

1987 - License production in China

1989 - Acquisition of Aurolín

1991 - Points of sale open in China

1991-1992 - Ecological innovations

1993 - Investment in Eastern Germany

1993 - A museum of lacquer art

1995 - Colormaster is born

1997 - BASF Coatings AG

1997 - BASF Shanghai Coatings Ltd.

2000 - Expansion of the coil coatings business

2000 - Production in Japan

2002 - Down Under

2004 - Coil coatings in China

2005 - Establishment of BASF Japan Coatings Ltd.

2006 - Integrated Process II at BMW

2007 - Global decorative paints business

2008 - Coatings in Russia

2009 - Color Design Studio in Münster

2009 - Scratch prevention with higher gloss

From 2010 up to today

2010 - BASF Coatings AG becomes a GmbH

2010 - New electrocoat generation

2010 - Multifunctional application robot

2010 - The car of the future

2011 - Global training network expanding

2011 - 25 years of waterborne basecoats

2012 - New coatings technical support lab in India

2012 - New paint application center in Mexico

2012 - BASF conducts Eco-Efficiency Analysis

2012 - Sale of RELIUS

2013 - Building as power station

2013 - ASEAN Technical Competence Center

2013 - Global network expands

2013 - XSpark® coating makes cars sparkle

2013 - Superior edge protection for rotor blades

2014 - Investment in the resin production in Münster

2014 - Ground-breaking ceremony for new resin plant

2014 - Expansion in Brazil

2014 - New automotive coatings plant in China

2014 - 50th anniversary in Japan

2014 - New RCC opens in South Africa

2015 - 150 years BASF and 50 years Coatings business

2015 - Technical Competence Center ASEAN

2016 - BASF completes acquisition of Chemetall

2016 - Sale of industrial coatings to AkzoNobel

2018 - Modular lab for automotive OEM coatings

2019 - Plant for functionalizing foils

2019 - Refinish Competence Center in Spain reopend

2019 - New Surface treatment site in China

2019 - BASF acquires majority of UBench

2019 – New lab in Langelsheim

2020 - BASF and DiDi enter partnership

2020 - New waterborne basecoat line

2022 - New laboratory building in Münster

2013 - XSpark^® coating makes cars sparkle

2014 - 50^th anniversary in Japan