BASF wins iF design award

The Coatings Division of BASF has won the renowned iF Design award in the automobiles/vehicles category for its functional paint technology that was developed for passive temperature management. The iF Design Award jury lauded the innovative nature of the technology and the specific properties of the paint system. It has immense design potential when it comes to future mobility and offers the right combination of functionality and design. BASF received the award during the iF Design Award Night at ‘BMW Welt’ in Munich.

Paint is no longer just decorative when it comes to the automotive sector and the functionality of paints has assumed growing importance. BASF says that its new paint system has a special formulation and offers a temperature management system that not only provides protection enhances the appearance of the vehicle with a high-end finish but also offers greater protection, better comfort and greater efficiency.

The paint system comprises a basecoat, which is transparent to high-energy near infrared (NIR) radiation, and an NIR reflecting filler. The use of this combination can reduce the surface temperature of the vehicle by up to 20 deg C on hot summer days. This of course has a beneficial effect on the temperature in the interior of the vehicle as well and the outcome is less use of the air-conditioning system in order to control the temperature in the car.

Commenting on the system, Stephan Schwarte, head of Pigments, Dispersions & Innovative Colors EMEA at BASF said, “Factors such as A/C regulation have a major impact on the range of a vehicle, particularly in the field of electromobility. Our technology reduces energy consumption and thus optimizes the vehicle’s efficiency.”

The hurry of the iF Design Award also recognized the the design potential of the paint technology. Mark Gutjahr, head of Automotive Color Design EMEA at BASF said that automotive manufacturers can use colours and special effects a chance to accentuate the shape of the vehicle and to give their models a unique character. BASF’s temperature management system covers a wide color spectrum that incorporates both light and dark colors – without compromising product quality.