BASF has established a technical center for developing eco-friendly coatings technologies for the automotive industry in Korea. BASF and the Gyeonggi Provincial Government of the Republic of Korea (GGPG) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to confirm their collaboration in constructing this center.

BASF will set up a coatings technical center at the Gyeonggi Techno Park in Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province, with the support of GGPG. In this technical center, BASF plans to conduct research and development of eco-friendly waterborne coatings for use by automotive OEMs as well as the technology for an integrated coating process, which yields more cost-efficient results.

“We appreciate the value BASF brings forth to the automotive industry in Korea,” said Moon-Soo Kim, governor of GGPG. “BASF’s coatings technologies provide our automotive industry with more sustainable options and, by increasing cost-efficiency in production, helps our automakers to be more competitive. We are happy GGPG plays a part in helping to address the needs of Korea’s automotive industry.”

BASF plans to open the center mid-2010. "The establishment of the facility in Korea is an important step to further strengthen our international technical network and the capability to support the business of our customers in Korea and globally,” said Raimar Jahn, president of BASF Group’s Coatings Division, at the signing ceremony.

In waterborne coatings, water replaces the majority of the organic solvents that solventborne coatings contain. The resulting reduction in solvent emissions means a considerably lower impact on the environment. The development and use of the integrated process will shorten the car body coating process and thus saves time and resources.