OEM&Lieferant Ausgabe 1/2020

88 New Products and Markets Reducing CO 2 through cutting-edge automotive coatings By Jörg Zumkley, Global Communications, BASF‘s Coatings division How can automotive coatings be made more efficient while conserving resources? Experts from BASF‘s Coatings division as well as car manufacturers are tackling this question. Optimized coating processes play a large part here, as do products which are particularly sustainable not only due to their properties but also thanks to their manufac- turing process. By applying its biomass balance approach at an early stage in the value chain, BASF is expanding its portfolio of automotive coatings to include more sustainable products. Enabling the use of renewable raw materials and substituting fossil materials is the core idea behind the biomass balance approach. BASF has broken new ground with the devel- opment of this approach for using renewable raw materials in the chemical industry. The biomass balance approach involves using renewable resources such as bio-naphtha or biogas from organic waste or vegetable oils as a raw material as early as the manufactur- ing of basic chemical products. The ratio of organic raw materials is then certified as per the European REDcert 2 standard and assigned to certain sales products which contribute to measurable CO 2 savings. According to a math- ematical model, 100% of the fossil resources are replaced by renewable resources. The principle is similar to that used by green elec- tricity providers: Here, too, the power that comes from the outlet does not always origi- nate exclusively from renewable sources, but the crucial aspect is that the amount of green electricity in the overall mixture is correct. The particular benefit of using this approach in the BASF Verbund is that the product formula- tions do not have to be modified, resulting in the same quality and properties. Sustainable product portfolio is growing In 2018, BASF launched resource-efficient au- tomotive refinish products on the European market for its R-M® and Glasurit® premium refinish paint brands, which were certified in line with the biomass balance approach. The company has assumed a leading role in this area and now also offers the approach for au- tomotive OEM coating applications. Product solutions for the individual coats in a paint system are marketed under the “ReSource” umbrella – from e-coat, to a basecoat system, all the way up to the clearcoat. This contains selected products which are already very sustainable thanks to their properties, and whose ecological footprint is improved further through the biomass balance approach. CathoGuard® 800 ReSource, an e-coat, pro- vides the optimum foundation for building up the paint system. The technology is particu- larly low in solvents and does not use organic tin compounds. Furthermore, an optimized film thickness distribution saves material while at the same time guaranteeing protec- tion of the entire car body thanks to its good throwing power. The product also contributes to sustainability by reducing waste water, which in turn minimizes the amount of fresh water required for the process. The ColorPro®ReSourcewaterborne basecoat system provides color. With the “Synchroton” product from the latest Automotive Color Trends collection, the designers at BASF pre- sented the first color that is based on the bio- mass balance approach and which is therefore particularly sustainable. The highly scratch-resistant iGloss® ReSource clearcoat is the final layer in the paint system and ensures a durable and striking gloss. It combines the advantages of “hard” inorganic and “soft” organic substances. The hybrid material guarantees increased scratch resis- tance and offers improved protection against micro-scratches, such as those caused by car washes, thereby increasing the durability of the vehicle. Thanks to the combination with the biomass balance approach, all three layers have the following in common: They significantly re- duce CO 2 emissions, replace fossil raw mate- rials, recycle organic waste and are based on renewable resources. Image/Graphic: © BASF The BASF biomass balance approach at a glance. BASF Coatings www.basf-coatings.com Website BASF offers the “Synchroton” automotive color shade as a product based on the biomass balance approach.