BASF expands e-coat manufacturing facility in India

BASF's Coatings Division announced the expansion of the e-coat manufacturing facility at its Mangalore site. This strategic expansion is driven by the growing demand for e-coat solutions by local automotive OEM customers in India, as well as customers in the South Asian and ASEAN markets.E-coat, also referred to as electrophoretic or cathodic dip coating, serves the purpose of safeguarding the car body's surfaces, edges and cavities from corrosion. Additionally, it effectively smooths out the roughness of pre-treated metal surfaces, creating an ideal foundation for the subsequent layers of paint to be applied.

With the expanded e-coat manufacturing facility in Mangalore, BASF will be able to manufacture the latest generation of e-coat products, such as CathoGuard 800 RE, which offers lower consumption, increased efficiency and higher reactivity for electric vehicles.“India's automotive market is booming with opportunities. With a mix of international and local car brands plus evolving consumer behaviours, India holds immense potential for BASF,” said Patrick Zhao, Senior Vice President, Global Automotive OEM Coatings, BASF.“I'm incredibly proud of our strong growth in India and the region, thanks to our successful collaborations with customers and partners. But beyond the numbers, what makes me even more proud is our ability to leverage our innovations, passion for colours and sustainability experience to serve the local market.”

The BASF site in Mangalore has been in operation since 1996 and is now BASF’s largest production facility in South Asia. In 2022, the Coatings Division expanded the Automotive Coatings Application Centre and has since been utilising global resources to bring advanced expertise and methodologies to market.