BASF Coatings launches ChemCycling automotive refinish products

BASF Coatings officially presented new product ranges at Automechanika 2024. With the next generation of clear coats, BASF is focusing on its ChemCycling technology. The product ranges, which are made from recycled raw materials, will be offered under BASF's premium brands Glasurit and R-M and will increase the efficiency and productivity of paint stores. The products not only contribute to the circular economy, but also to the reduction of CO2 emissions. "At BASF Coatings, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This is how we support paint stores in driving change with sustainable technologies that are unique in the market. Our vision is to support a circular economy with our exclusive ChemCycling by reducing the use of fossil raw materials, minimizing waste and reducing CO2 emissions in the value chain. With our new products, we are setting ourselves apart today by replacing some of the fossil resources with recycled raw materials. This is a big step towards less environmental impact, fewer emissions and less waste," says Chris Titmarsh, Senior Vice President, Global Automotive Refinish Coatings, BASF.

With the help of BASF's ChemCycling technology, recycled raw materials obtained from used tires are used to produce certified Ccycled products so that they do not have to end up in landfills or incinerators. The recycled raw materials are added to the certified Ccycled clearcoats using a mass balance approach: BASF Coatings' Glasurit AraClass A-C-24 Eco Balance and R-M Race Finish-R eSense clearcoats are the first automotive refinish products to utilize this technology, bringing benefits to both refinishers and the environment. The products also offer further advantages: The drying speed of the clear coats enables fast processing, as the coating dries in just 20 minutes at 40 °C. By reducing the drying time, energy consumption is significantly reduced, resulting in improved efficiency and a lower environmental impact. This feature is particularly beneficial for electric vehicles as it reduces their exposure to extreme heat. In addition to the ChemCycling clearcoats, BASF is launching another sustainable solution: the Glasurit Series 100 and R-M AGILIS waterborne basecoats, both of which already have the lowest VOC content in the industry at under 250 g/l, have been supplemented with new mixed coatings based on BASF's biomass balance approach. The new mixed coatings reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50%.