(BASF is No. 25 on the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies list)
At the Automotive Brand Contest 2017 international design competition, BASF’s Coatings division’s functional coatings technology for passive temperature management was honored in the “Innovation of the Year” and “Concepts” categories. The German Design Council awarded the distinctions on September 12 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Combining environmental protection with appealing design
The jury, composed of representatives from the media, design, brand communication and academia, presented the awards to honor the coatings technology’s visionary approach. Energy efficiency and intelligent materials are two key themes for innovative mobility concepts. “With its temperature management solutions, BASF captures the spirit of the times,” the jury said. Stefan Sickert, head of Product Management Basecoat/Primer Europe at BASF, added: “Both awards underscore our active commitment and our success in combining striking design with outstanding properties by developing intelligent paint solutions.”
LK Black designed in EMEA: This modern interpretation of a dark anthracite uses a special technology for passive temperature management. The solar heat management system reflects near infrared light and in doing so reduces the temperature on the surface and inside the car when it is hot and sunny
The specific paint system is based on a UV-permeable basecoat and UV-reflecting primer. In this combination, the paint reduces the temperature on hot summer days on the vehicle surface by up to 20C which results in less heating of the interior. The need to run the air conditioner to minimize the heat in the car is thus reduced. This both enhances comfort and at the same time, reduces fuel consumption or extends the range of electric vehicles.
The special BASF formulation can be integrated into conventional application processes without any extra effort and meets the high-quality standards for the life cycle of a finish. At the same time, car buyers can choose from a wide range of colors, from rich colors to grays and blacks. This innovation already received the German Federal Ecodesign Award in 2016 for sustainable products from the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) and the German Federal Environment Ministry (BMUB) in cooperation with the International Design Center Berlin.
Design competence important factor in the automotive industry
The prominent role of design within the automotive industry is obvious throughout the IAA. The award for outstanding product and communication design presented by the German Design Council in the Automotive Brand Contest directs attention to the elementary significance of brand and brand design in the automotive sector. Another firmly established component of the IAA is the Automotive Designers’ Night, which this year was supported by BASF. At the designers’ industry meet-up on September 12, BASF experts used demonstration objects to present the special properties of the temperature management technology to key decision-makers.
About BASF’s Coatings division
The Coatings division of BASF is a global expert in the development, production and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings, as well as decorative paints. We create advanced performance solutions and drive performance, design and new applications to meet our partners’ needs all over the world. BASF shares skills, knowledge and resources of interdisciplinary and global teams for the benefit of customers by operating a collaborative network of sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. In 2016, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about 3.2 billion.
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.
Solutions beyond your imagination Coatings by BASF. For more information about the Coatings division of BASF and its products, visitwww.basf-coatings.com.
