BASF Opens Its First Automotive Coatings Production Plant In Thailand

BASF’s Coatings division has opened a new automotive coatings plant at its Bangpoo manufacturing site in 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.

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

According to the LMC Automotive Report of November 2017, this year’s total ASEAN car production is anticipated to reach around 3.9 million vehicles. Thailand will account for more than 50 per cent of this market, representing the largest coatings market within ASEAN, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia.

With an increasing number of automotive OEMs engaging in production and technology development activities in ASEAN, BASF says there is a growing need for local innovation in coatings solutions and products, as well as a high degree of technical service.

“With our robust capabilities in Thailand, we meet the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-efficient solutions,” said Peter Fischer, Senior Vice President, Coatings Solutions Asia Pacific, BASF. “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.”

The new production plant in Bangpoo complements the facilities at the Coatings Technical Competence Center ASEAN, which opened in September 2015 at the same location. The technical centre includes a laboratory for product development, high performance application facilities and colour design, as well as a small batch production unit.

“BASF has been active in ASEAN for over 50 years with a strong footprint in Thailand,” added Andrea Frenzel, President South & East Asia, ASEAN & ANZ, BASF. “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.”