Coatings

BASF Coatings is entering a new phase in our journey as a global leader in automotive coatings and surface treatment: independent and committed to continuity.

With the signing of the agreement between BASF and Carlyle, we are taking a bold step forward toward becoming a standalone company.

This transition allows us to strengthen our position while continuing to build on the foundations that have made our business strong:

Deep technical expertise
Long-standing customer relationships
Trusted heritage brands
A culture of trust and accountability shaped over more than 130 years

At the same time, this transition brings exciting new opportunities, including greater entrepreneurial freedom, faster decision-making and agility. Carlyle’s global network and commitment to investing in our business will support our accelerated growth across all three businesses and position BASF Coatings for long-term success.

Key facts about the deal

Enterprise value of €7.7 billion agreed for BASF Coatings’s automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and surface treatment businesses
BASF to hold a 40% equity stake in coatings business to continue building on today’s success
Subject to customary regulatory approvals, closing is expected in Q2 2026
The transaction is designed to ensure continuity for employees and operations.
For our employees, customers, suppliers and partners there will be no immediate changes related to the transaction.

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Overview

For further inquiries

If you have any questions regarding this transition, please refer to the Q&A section at the bottom of this page. For individual inquiries, you can also reach out directly to your trusted account manager, your usual contact at BASF Coatings, or explore our full list of media contacts.

We are delighted to partner with Carlyle, whose sector expertise, carve-out capabilities and collaborative approach will help position BASF Coatings for long-term success. By retaining an equity stake, we are showing our belief in Coatings’ future value creation and upside potential. The passion, expertise, and customer focus of our Coatings team is what makes this business outstanding.

Dr. Markus Kamieth

Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors (CEO) of BASF SE

What this means for our Stakeholders

For our employees, customers, suppliers and partners there will be no immediate changes related to the transaction. We continue to deliver the same quality, service, and reliability you know us for. BASF will remain invested in the business, ensuring continuity and stability throughout the transition.

Our business is built on decades of innovation and performance in automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings, and surface treatment. We are excited to prepare for the next step and to move forward, becoming an established independent leader.

FAQs

What is the overall scope of the deal?

The transaction includes 

all BASF Coatings (including Chemetall) dedicated legal entities (sales, assets, FTEs) 
all BASF Coatings business (sales, assets, BASF Coatings FTEs) still today in BASF’s shared entities. Until Closing, these will be transferred into dedicated BASF Coatings entities.

Why is Carlyle a great owner for BASF Coatings?

Carlyle brings sector expertise, carve-out capabilities and a collaborative approach to position BASF Coatings for long-term success.
BASF Coatings will benefit from Carlyle’s strong track record of successful carve-outs of industrial and chemical assets (following previous investments in Axalta, Atotech, and Nouryon) and extensive experience in building strong, standalone industrial leaders.
Working closely alongside management, Carlyle will support the future growth of our business through investing in our commercial capabilities, innovation pipeline, and organizational structure to enhance customer focus.

Why is BASF still invested in the Coatings business?

BASF’s equity stake of 40% reflects a strong belief in the future value creation and upside potential of the Coatings business.
They appreciate the opportunity to continue to participate in this development while ensuring continuity for customers, partners and employees.
As part of BASF’s “Winning Ways” strategy, the goal has been to unlock value through active portfolio management. Staying invested allows BASF to participate in the future development of the business while enabling BASF Coatings to operate as a standalone company under new ownership.

How does Signing affect customers, distributors and suppliers?

For customers, suppliers, and partners, it is business as usual. Our commitment to reliability and service remains unwavering.
Ownership may be changing, but our brands, quality, and teams remain the same. Over time, we will deepen our customer focus, investing even more in innovation, responsiveness, and partnership.
BASF Coatings and Carlyle will continue to operate as strictly independent companies until the completion of the transaction. Business continuity for customers will be ensured throughout the transaction process.
Customers or suppliers with a Change of Control clause in their contracts will be informed individually and supported throughout the transition.
BASF’s continued investment ensures continuity and confidence through this transition.

Can customers still order BASF products? 

Customers can, of course, continue to order our products – whether under the BASF name or any of our established brands such as Glasurit, Chemetall, and others.
For the moment, nothing changes for them.

What will happen to the brands?

Our heritage brands like Chemetall and Glasurit are one of our core success factors. While ownership may be changing, our brands, quality, and teams remain the same.

What will happen to the sites? Will Münster remain the headquarters of BASF Coatings?

Münster is already a distinct headquarters from BASF. Currently, there are no plans to make a move. 
Customers and partners alike have deep respect for the technology, innovation, and brand power built by the German heritage of the business.

How many employees will be affected at which sites? 

The scope includes around 10,700 employees of all three BASF Coatings businesses at 160 relevant BASF Coatings sites – parts of which are shared with BASF today.

What are the next steps in this process? 

The transaction is conditioned on approvals from over 20 regulatory authorities worldwide. The Parties are already working towards obtaining these approvals.  
In parallel, Carlyle and BASF Coatings are setting up transition teams to ensure a smooth transition for customers and employees by the Closing expected in the second quarter of 2026.

Want to be part of the change?

This transition marks an important step for BASF Coatings - and with it, new opportunities are emerging. We are looking for people who want to shape the future of coatings with us, contribute their ideas, and grow in an international environment. If you are curious about what comes next, take a look at our career opportunities and discover where your path could lead.

Preparing for the Next Chapter