BASF Coatings is pioneering the future of robotics-enabled automotive refinishing. By combining digital color management with advanced coatings expertise, they partner with OEMs and automation suppliers to deliver highly consistent, scalable, and future-proof paint application standards for body shops.

Drawing on its experience in repair processes and connected digital workflows, BASF Coatings supports customers in implementing robotics-enabled solutions for more consistent, scalable and future-ready repair operations.

As automation expands in collision repair, BASF Coatings is teaming up with robotics providers, pilot clients, and industry partners. This collaboration delivers verified process expertise and hands-on setup support for body shops adopting robotic systems.

Rather than just testing and validating new technologies, BASF Coatings actively helps establish future application standards, scalable frameworks, and real-world body shop robotics. While the company does not manufacture robotics hardware itself, it sets itself apart in the Automotive Refinish market through its deep expertise in coatings, application processes, and system integration.

Robotics is seen as a natural extension of BASF Coatings’ end-to-end digital color process. Within the Refinity ecosystem – the digital ecosystem for managing the body shop business – digital color scanning, matching, mixing and workflow management already support efficient and consistent repair processes. Robotics adds a further step by connecting digital process control with physical paint application.

“Robotics brings together digital color management and physical application in a single connected process,” said Chen Liu, Global Head of Technology Automotive Refinish Coatings. “The true differentiation lies not in the robot itself, but in how BASF integrates coatings, process and application expertise to deliver consistent quality in real-world body shop environments. By combining these strengths, we are shaping scalable and repeatable application standards that will define the future of automotive refinish.”

Initial robotics applications primarily focus on standardized applications of primer, basecoat and clearcoat on complete vehicle parts. In this context, repeatability, throughput and material efficiency are the key drivers. Broader application to specific processes, such as blending or interior painting, is expected as the technology matures.

“We see robotics as an important future topic for Automotive Refinish and want to help customers navigate this evolving environment with confidence,” said Roar Solberg, Vice President Automotive Refinish Coatings EMEA. “Our approach is to provide orientation, validation and close collaboration so customers can make informed decisions about future-ready repair processes.”