Coatings Partner makes its e-journal debut		01/28/2010

The automotive future involves global color trends

Münster – January 28, 2010 – A tried and true product is making its debut. BASF's Coatings Partner customer magazine is premiering in an electronic version. The first e-journal spotlights reports on intelligent solutions, successful partnerships and BASF’s global coatings activities. The magazine is available online at the revamped website www.coatingspartner.de.

With its reader-friendly layout, the new issue offers 15 pages of exciting reports and background information on all aspects of products and services for customers of BASF's Coatings Division. For example, the opening of the Glasurit Refinish Competence Centre (RCC) at the Münster site, one of the world’s most modern training facilities for spraypainters. Or the report on the decorative paints sector, where BASF launched its NORBIN^TM brand in China in December 2009.

How do color trends come about?

What do the automotive color trends of the future look like? Answers to this question are provided by trend forecasts for North America, Europe and Asia. An interview with BASF color designer Eva Höfli provides insights into the way these trends develop and why they differ from region to region.

In addition, the e-journal reports on new products by Suvinil®, BASF’s decorative paint brand in South America, as well as on the company’s successful partnerships. For example, since July 2009, BASF has been the main supplier of coil coatings for Universal Metal, Turkey’s leading producer of steel coils. Another new partnership is BASF’s cooperation with Alutech, a producer of roller shutters, garage doors and aluminum window frames in Belarus. In addition, BASF signed an agreement with Kia Motors for automotive refinish products that is valid throughout the world. The agreement provides for BASF to support the customer with training tailored to local needs.

The electronic version of the Coatings Partner will appear several times a year, with the print version appearing on an annual basis.

“The e-journal supplements the wide range of topics addressed by the print version. In the e-journal, we will report on our topics in a way that is even more up to date and flexible than before,” explained Dr. Martin Rissmann, Head of Global Communications. Via the links, readers can access in-depth information quickly and directly. In addition, videos and photo galleries provide additional impressions of new products and developments.

New Coatings Partner website

Accompanying the debut of the first e-journal is the makeover of the www.coatingspartner.de website. Articles in past issues of the magazine are archived there by market and product, as well as by region. The website’s clearly arranged layout makes it quick and easy to download both print and electronic versions of the customer magazine.

In addition, copies of the e-journal and the print version of Coatings Partner in German and English can be ordered at www.coatingspartner.de. Coatings Partner targets customers and business partners, as well as the interested public.