BASF Coatings is expanding its influence in the field of robotics-assisted automotive refinish by combining specialist coatings knowledge with digital colour technologies and practical application expertise. In partnership with vehicle manufacturers and automation specialists, the company is helping to advance the use of automated paint application within body shop operations.
Using its experience in repair methods and connected digital systems, BASF Coatings is supporting customers as they adopt robotics-enabled solutions aimed at delivering greater consistency, improved scalability and stronger long-term readiness in repair processes.
With automation becoming increasingly significant in collision repair, BASF Coatings is working alongside robotics providers, pilot customers and industry stakeholders to offer proven process knowledge and practical support for implementation. Its role extends beyond evaluation and testing, contributing to the development of future application standards, scalable process models and the smooth integration of robotics into everyday repair environments.
While the company does not build robotic equipment itself, it offers considerable value through its understanding of coatings performance, paint application processes and the wider requirements of system integration within automotive refinish.
Extending the Digital Refinish Journey
BASF Coatings sees robotics as the next stage in the evolution of connected refinish operations. Through its Refinity ecosystem, body shops already use digital tools for colour scanning, matching, mixing and workflow management, helping to improve speed, accuracy and consistency. Robotics strengthens this approach by connecting digital process control directly with paint application.
Chen Liu, Global Head of Technology Automotive Refinish Coatings, said robotics creates a fully connected process that links digital colour management with physical application. He noted that BASF’s real strength lies not in the robotic unit itself, but in the way the business combines coatings expertise, process understanding and application knowledge to achieve dependable quality in active body shop environments. According to Liu, this integrated approach is helping to establish repeatable and scalable standards for the future of vehicle refinish.
A Strong Focus on Productivity and Reliability
Current robotic applications are largely focused on standardised spraying of primer, basecoat and clearcoat on full vehicle components. In these cases, the main advantages are repeatability, material control and higher throughput. As the technology progresses, broader use is expected in more specialised areas, including blending work and interior paint application.
Roar Solberg, Vice President Automotive Refinish Coatings EMEA, said robotics is becoming an important area of development for the sector and BASF wants to help customers move forward with certainty. He said the company’s aim is to provide practical guidance, technical validation and close collaboration so that customers can make confident decisions about future-facing repair processes.
By bringing together coatings science, digital workflow systems and hands-on application expertise, BASF Coatings is helping to shape a new generation of repair operations that are more efficient, more consistent and better prepared for change.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
