BASF Coatings – Driving Surface Solutions

BASF Coatings, in collaboration with Renault Group and Dürr, had redefined the future of automotive manufacturing with the Overspray-Free Application (OFLA) process (also known as Jetprint at Renault). The trio was awarded the “Trophée de l’Industrie s’engage 2025” in the Innovative Process category at the “L’industrie s’engage par l’Usine Nouvelle” event in June 2025. The award recognizes the Overspray-Free Application process – a breakthrough in sustainable application technology that redefines how two-tone vehicle painting is performed.

Zhejiang Chemetall Surface Treatment Materials Co., Ltd, the Pinghu site of the Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF's Coatings division, has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability by the Economic Development and Ecological Environment Bureau in Pinghu, China. This site was commended for its pioneering efforts in achieving 100% renewable electricity coverage, serving as a reference for green and low-carbon transformation to other chemical firms in the industrial district.

Glasurit has been approved for use throughout the Mercedes-Benz authorized repair network in China (Mainland and Taiwan), Australia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand, reinforcing BASF’s role as a Global Trusted Partner, with a refreshed collaboration with Mercedes-Benz in China. The partnership also continues in Japan, where R-M remains a long-standing, trusted brand. In addition, Glasurit has been recognized as a preferred partner in Malaysia and Thailand.

BASF Coatings and Toyota Motor Europe have signed an agreement to develop the Toyota Body&Paint program for Europe, building the foundation for a long-term strategic collaboration between the two companies for Toyota and Lexus brands. The partnership takes advantage of the premium automotive refinish solutions under the Glasurit and R-M brands in the European market.

BASF Coatings introduces an innovative Eco Impact Assessment tool under its Refinity brand. The new tool enables body shops to measure performance across ecological, economic, and social aspects. It provides holistic assessments of all relevant material flows in a body shop, including spraying and drying processes, product usage, waste management and fleet operations.

The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, has made a significant advancement in its sustainability journey by transitioning its Langelsheim production facility in Germany to 100% renewable electricity. The electricity, provided by BASF Renewable Energy, is sourced from a mix of solar and wind power, leading to an estimated reduction of approximately 620 tons of CO₂ emissions in 2025.

BASF Coatings is consistently pursuing its strategic roadmap for sustainable development and is further expanding its business with biomass-balanced products. Following successful launches in Europe and Asia, the first products for the automotive refinish coatings market will now also be introduced in North America this year. These products further contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and circular economy.

The BASF Coatings site in Greenville, Ohio has been named the 2025 Business of the Year by the Darke County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). The Greenville site was recognized for consistently contributing to the community as an employer of choice, long-term business partner, and supporter of various social and education efforts throughout Darke County, Ohio.

General Motors presented BASF Coatings with a 2024 Supplier of the Year Award at GM’s 33rd annual Supplier of the Year event in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. “Our long-standing partnership with General Motors has been built over years of collaboration, shared values and a steadfast commitment to creating innovative solutions for our valued customer,” said Uta Holzenkamp, president of BASF Coatings.

BASF Coatings and Li Auto Inc., a leader in China’s new energy vehicle market, have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation, with the primary goal of promoting and implementing painting innovations powered by sustainability and digital innovations. They will collaboratively explore the field of new low-carbon emission material technologies, and establish a joint innovation platform to develop new materials and processes.

BASF’s Coatings division has successfully expanded its production capacity for polyester and polyurethane resin at its Caojing plant in Shanghai, China. Originally established in 2015 with an annual capacity of 8,000 metric tons of polyester and polyurethane resin, the plant has now increased its capacity to 18,800 metric tons per year — a more than twofold increase.

One hundred years ago, the scarlet macaw became part of Glasurit’s protected logo and the face of the Glasurit brand. On March 18th, 2025, Glasurit is celebrating the 100^th birthday of the scarlet macaw – and just before International Color Day, Glasurit will launch globally a “100 Colorful Years” campaign including a year-long series of engaging activities and events designed to bring customers and employees around the globe together.

BASF Coatings steps up its efforts to drive transformational change in the automotive refinish industry by continuing its mission to support young car painters worldwide. With its premium paint brand Glasurit, BASF continues to be the exclusive Global Industry Partner to WorldSkills International in the car painting skills category.

BASF Coatings and NIO, a pioneer in the global smart electric vehicle market, have announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) aimed at establishing a strategic partnership to enhance cooperation in the automotive coatings sector. This collaboration marks a significant step towards achieving a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship, focusing on automotive exterior coatings for NIO’s electric vehicles.

Chemetall successfully implemented an advanced photovoltaic system at its Boksburg site in South Africa. The new state-of-the-art photovoltaic system includes 1,725 square meters of solar panels installed on the site’s roofs, as well as 600 kW battery storage systems. It is predicted to reduce 92% of CO₂ emission in Boksburg.

BASF and Sherwin-Williams have signed an agreement on the sale of the Brazilian decorative paints business, which is part of BASF’s Coatings division. The purchase price on a cash and debt-free basis is $1.15 billion. The transaction is structured as a share deal and includes the production sites in Demarchi and Jaboatão, the related contracts, the Suvinil and Glasu! brands, and the around 1,000 employees.

BASF’s Coatings division has successfully transitioned to 100% renewable electricity at its North American sites in Greenville, Ohio, and Blackman Township in Jackson County, Michigan, effective January 2025. The switch to renewable electricity will bring a significant reduction of more than 11,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, benefiting, benefiting both BASF Coatings’ operations and customers.

BASF’s Coatings division announces that BMW Group has selected the premium refinish brands Glasurit and R-M among their preferred paint brands for its aftersales network. This strategic partnership includes 50 markets where BMW Group is not present with its private label. The Glasurit 100 Line AraClass and R-M Agilis Pioneer Series product portfolio are set to reshape the future of body shops worldwide with its commitment to sustainability and high-performance solutions.

In 2024, the global automotive color landscape is evolving as consumers move away from traditional favorites like white and silver. This shift is paving the way for increased popularity of vibrant hues, warm neutrals, and a more diverse palette across the industry, as stated by BASF Coatings in the latest Color Report for Automotive OEM Coatings. 

BASF Coatings and Koch International, an international logistics service provider based in Osnabrück, have successfully tested the use of electric trucks for long distances and have now implemented this sustainable transport solution for BASF Coatings in long-distance transport.

3M and BASF’s Coatings division announced a collaboration to co-develop and deliver new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and training content to the collision repair industry. The new SOPs will be tailored to help body shops achieve greater sustainability and productivity within the automotive refinish process. 

Every year, designers from BASF’s Coatings division create a new collection of colors to inspire automotive designers around the globe. “ROUTING”, the title of the 2024-2025 Automotive Color Trends, refers to the concept of “routing” in communication technology which signifies how information is transmitted.