TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Coatings Automotive Coatings
BASF’s Coatings division engages in discussions with industry partners including industry associations, insurers, work providers, fleet and leasing operators and body shops. This is to establish a global certification standard in the automotive refinish industry. It will manage the growing demand for sustainable accident repairs. It will also create one uniform standard based on tested criteria.
Sustainability Guideline for Body Shops
The criteria will provide a guideline to body shops on how to become more sustainable. It will help them to prepare for the increasing legal requirements such as CO
2 emission reports.
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We observe that the importance of sustainability is increasingly recognized in our industry. Yet the industry is lacking in a set of uniform tools to empower them to do so holistically," said Dr. Rahel Reichmann. She is the head of Sustainability, BASF Global Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions.
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At BASF, we continue to actively promote sustainability with our products and digital solutions. This helps our customers to take better informed and accountable decisions. By using sustainable technologies and materials, companies can save energy and CO2. They can reduce their own costs and contribute to the reduction of waste," added Dr. Reichmann.
The first dialogues were about the criteria for an industry-wide independent sustainability standard. It took place in 2023 with relevant industry stakeholders. The standard draws upon a catalogue of quantitative as well as qualitative criteria. The criteria come from the fields of ecology, economy and social affairs. Based on these criteria, the level of sustainability of the body shop will be assessed.
Considerable aspects to ensure long term position of body shops:
- Reduction of CO2 emissions
- Efficient and profitable handling of waste and resources during the car repair process
- Creation of economic and social value
BASF has already started to test these criteria with pilot body shops in Germany.
Digital Business Solution
In February 2024, relevant industry stakeholders get together to an industry meeting at TÜV Rheinland in Cologne, Germany. The goal is to agree on a joint approach that works for all players in the industry. The approach will launch one independent standard for the entire collision repair industry. The starting point is the German market. The aim is to eventually extend the standard to Europe and then potentially go global.
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It is important to us to obtain a meaningful overall picture in the demanding selection of criteria. It is also practicable for the companies. This clear requirement comes from the industry. We hope for further interested partners who want to help shape this task," said Dr. Markus Piepenbrink, Global Sustainability, BASF Coatings.
At the same time, BASF Coatings will test the sustainability criteria. It is a part of its digital business solution ‘Body Shop BOOST’ with customers and partners. BASF Coatings will do the test in the pilot countries of Switzerland and Austria. The pilot is intended to show where body shops currently stand in terms of their level of sustainability. It will provide insights to further develop and sharpen the criteria of the planned sustainability standard.
Checkout Automotive Refinishing Range from BASF
Source: BASF