BASF Opens First Automotive Coatings Plant in Thailand

BASF SE said that its coatings division has inaugurated a new automotive coatings plant at its Bangpoo manufacturing site, Samutprakarn province, Thailand.

The new plant is the first BASF automotive coatings manufacturing facility in ASEAN and will produce solvent-borne and waterborne automotive coatings to meet growing market demand in the region.

The new production plant in Bangpoo complements the facilities at the coatings technical competence centre ASEAN, which was opened in September 2015 at the same location. The technical centre includes a laboratory for product development, high-performance application facilities, colour design, as well as a small batch production unit. The co-location of production and technical facilities enables operational efficiency and speed to market. The new plant’s design not only allows BASF to offer customized service, it also has the potential for future expansion and the flexibility to adapt to new production requirements and changing industry trends.

BASF has been active in the automotive coatings industry in ASEAN for more than ten years. Today, BASF is the number one motorcycle coatings supplier in Thailand.

“BASF is a trusted partner of all major automotive manufacturers around the world, with a broad competence in all coating layers. The inauguration of the new plant demonstrates our commitment to meeting customer expectations for advanced coating technologies and products in ASEAN, for ASEAN,” said Dirk Bremm, president of BASF’s coatings division.

“With our robust capabilities in Thailand, we meet the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-efficient solutions. Working closely with our automotive customers globally and regionally, we are committed to be the partner of choice and drive for growth and success in the highly competitive ASEAN market,” said Peter Fischer, senior vice president, coatings solutions Asia Pacific, BASF.

“BASF has been active in ASEAN for over 50 years, with a strong footprint in Thailand. With our new automotive coatings plant, we aim to help Thailand strengthen its role as a key market and production hub for the automotive industry in ASEAN, and to support the economic development of the neighbouring countries,” added Andrea Frenzel, president South & East Asia, ASEAN & ANZ, BASF.