BASF awarded a Red Dot for its unique automotive coating concept

• EFFLORESCENCE is a technology that balances sustainability and design value
• The monocoat simplifies the paint line of automobiles while achieving a unique effect
• Low temperature curing technology reduces energy consumption during manufacturing

The automotive color concept EFFLORESCENCE from BASF effectively demonstrates the compatibility of sustainability and design values. The monocoat combines all of its functionalities in a single layer – including a pearl-like visual effect without the use of traditional effect pigments, and a reduction of the car body heating due to more than 65% of light reflection. This unique approach has now been recognized within the Red Dot Award: Design Concept, one of the world’s most prestigious competitions that honors innovations as the precursors of tomorrow’s great products. 

“Culturally, white has always been an important color space in Asia. With EFFLORESCENCE, we created a white monocoat with unique appearance which usually can only be reached by several layers of effect pigments,” said Chiharu Matsuhara, head of Automotive Color Design for Asia Pacific. “The resin beads we use for this coating also create a distinctive texture which enhances the aesthetics of the color and makes it stand out.”

The Red Dot jury did not only honor the unique appearance of the color, but also the revolutionary production process of the monocoat. Unlike the standard process of multiple layers and high baking temperatures, the application procedure of EFFLORESCENCE is reduced to a single layer with a baking temperature of 80°C. This monocoat approach simplifies the process and reduces material and energy supply in production.

In July, BASF was already honored at the Red Dot Award: Product Design for its color ZENOMENON due to its coating formulation based on polymer structures. The innovative technology and the special aesthetics of the coating have impressed the experts on the Red Dot jury in the "Materials and Surfaces" category. The latest award-winning design concept EFFLORESCENCE was the key color for Asia Pacific in BASF’s 2022-2023 Automotive Color Trends collection called NEW ARRAY.

On October 17, BASF will release its 2024-2025 Automotive Color Trend collection ROUTING.
 

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, decorative paints as well as applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries. This portfolio is supplemented by "Beyond Paint Solutions", which enable new applications with innovative surfaces. 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 2023, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about €4.4 billion.

Solutions beyond your imagination – Coatings by BASF. For more information about the Coatings division of BASF and its products, visit www.basf-coatings.com.
 

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

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