BASF Coatings implements 100% renewable electricity at major North American sites

BASF’s Coatings division has successfully transitioned its North American sites in Greenville, Ohio and Blackman Township, Jackson County, Michigan, to 100% renewable electricity starting January 2025. The switch to renewable electricity will significantly reduce CO2 emissions by more than 11,000 tons per year, benefiting both BASF’s Coatings operations and customers.

BASF’s Coatings division produces resins, electrocoats and clearcoats at the Greenville site, while the Blackman Township site specializes in surface treatment solutions for the BASF Coatings division’s Surface Treatment global business unit, which operates under the Chemetall brand. By investing in renewable electricity, the company aims to minimize its environmental impact and increase the sustainability of its operations, while supporting customers in achieving their sustainability goals. As of now, 17 of the company’s operating sites in all regions around the world rely on renewable energy for electricity generation. For customers who source products from these sites, this means that their overall carbon footprint will also be reduced. Thus, using renewable electricity helps reduce the environmental impact of the entire value chain of the automotive industry.

“Using renewable electricity is a key step in driving change towards sustainability. This operational transformation is another step in driving our commitment to climate protection goals and change. In addition, we are continuously innovating CO2 reduction solutions to further support our customers’ green transformation – for example with thin film technology or the use of mass balance methods,” said Dr. Markus Piepenbrink, Head of Sustainability at BASF Coatings.

“Sustainability is a top priority for Chemetall and we strive to provide innovative surface treatment solutions that help our customers achieve specific sustainability goals. By transitioning to 100% renewable electricity at our Blackmantown site, we are taking an important step towards reducing our carbon footprint. This step not only enhances the sustainability of our operations, but also supports our customers in minimizing their overall impact on the environment. We are committed to continuous improvement by leveraging renewable energy at all our facilities worldwide. This is an important part of our contribution to a more sustainable future,” said Frank Naber, Senior Vice President at Chemetall.

“Taking advantage of renewable electricity to produce our products not only enhances the sustainability contribution of our solutions, but also supports our customers in achieving their environmental goals,” said Jeffrey Jones, Vice President, OEM Key Account Management, North America, BASF Coatings. “In addition to this, we are helping the automotive industry further reduce its carbon footprint.”