BASF Supplies Coatings for Mobile Cranes

BASF now supplies coatings for the mobile crane manufacturer Terex Cranes at its plant in Zweibrücken, Germany. The use of ultra high solids coatings – solventborne coatings with a higher solids content and low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions – plays a central role.

“Terex Cranes wanted to further reduce the emission of VOCs during the coating process,” said Karl-Heinz Edinger, BASF commercial transport systems Germany. “We adapted our ultra high solids technology to the specific needs of Terex, which made us win over this customer.”

Commercial vehicles such as mobile cranes are exposed to particularly harsh stresses through weather impacts and their use in off-road conditions. BASF’s primers and topcoats provide a high level of corrosion protection and weathering resistance. “Our topcoats also have high color stability to allow the Terex vehicles to keep their typical colors for years to come,” Edinger said.

To achieve flawless surface results, BASF’s ultra high solids coatings feature special flow properties, since Terex uses spray application to coat the cranes. Depending on the crane model, 250 to 500 liters of paint are applied to the vehicle. For comparison, depending on the model, a total of 12 to 15 liters of paint are needed to coat a passenger car.

Terex Cranes Germany, a subsidiary of Terex Corporation, builds and coats mobile cranes with a loading capacity of up to 3,200 tons at its Zweibrücken plant. The various crane models range from small, maneuverable city cranes to caterpillar vehicles with extension systems that are up to 230 meters high.

“With Terex Cranes, we have succeeded in winning a key customer in this segment. We hope that we will strengthen and expand this collaboration in the future and, at the same time, continue to push forward the Ultra High Solids Technology,” Edinger added.