BASF Coatings has announced that Jens Luehring will take the helm as Chief Executive Officer following the closing of the planned transaction with Carlyle, which will establish the company as a standalone coatings entity.
Uta Holzenkamp will continue to lead BASF Coatings until the transaction closes, after which she will support Luehring to ensure a smooth transition. The deal, originally announced on October 10, 2025, is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to finalize in the second quarter of 2026.
“Uta Holzenkamp has shaped BASF Coatings with a strong commitment to its people and customers,” said Tanaka Maswoswe, Partner at Carlyle. “Her leadership through the carve-out and transition preparation has been critical in positioning the company for a successful standalone future. We are deeply grateful for her contribution and the stability she will continue to provide after closing.”
Maswoswe added: “We are extremely excited to have Uta passing the torch to Jens, an executive with a successful track record of transforming carve-outs into strong and growing standalone companies. With Uta’s legacy as a foundation and Jens’ experience in leading organizations, BASF Coatings is exceptionally well positioned for the next phase.”
Uta Holzenkamp, President of BASF Coatings, said: “Having built a strong foundation for BASF Coatings with deep, longstanding customer partnerships, a strong and passionate global team, and market-leading innovative technologies, it is the right moment to hand over to Jens upon closing of the transaction. With his international experience in building and transforming standalone businesses, he will drive the company’s next phase of growth.”
Incoming CEO Jens Luehring commented: “I am honored to take on this role at a pivotal moment for the company. BASF Coatings has a strong team, leading market positions, and highly differentiated products and services. Building on this foundation, we will accelerate the transformation towards an entrepreneurial, performance-driven and independent coatings technology leader.”
Luehring, a German national based in the U.S. since 2012, brings more than two decades of experience in corporate transformation, carve-outs, mergers & acquisitions, and finance. He previously led the carve-out and spin-off of legacy Linde’s Americas assets into a private equity-backed independent company, serving as President & CEO for seven years.
Holzenkamp has led BASF Coatings since 2022, overseeing roughly 10,500 employees globally. She has nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the coatings, automotive, and chemical industries, and is recognized for combining business acumen with a people-centric leadership approach.
The Carlyle transaction, in partnership with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), involves the sale of BASF’s automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings, and surface treatment business units.
