BASF sells BASF Coatings to the US investment company Carlyle. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is also involved in the transaction as a partner of Carlyle.
BASF retains minority stake
BASF's Automotive OEM Coatings, Automotive Refinish and Surface Technologies businesses will thus be bundled in an independent company in the future. Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of 2026, BASF will receive around 5.8 billion euros, the enterprise value of the transaction is 7.7 billion euros. The chemical company will retain a minority stake and thus remain strategically linked to the future coatings company.
Sale is part of the new strategy
BASF Coatings develops, produces and markets coatings and coating systems for automotive manufacturers, refinishing and other industrial applications. The company is active in Europe, North and South America and Asia-Pacific and generated sales of around €3.8 billion in 2024. The sale of BASF Coatings is part of BASF's strategy to focus more strongly on its core business in the future. The Group had already sold its Brazilian decorative coatings business at the beginning of October.
Independent development of a global coatings business
Carlyle brings extensive experience from previous investments in industrial and chemical companies such as Axalta, Atotech and Nouryon. The plan is to further develop the business together with the existing management team. Investments will be made in the innovation pipeline, in sales and customer structures and in the organization in order to strengthen the company's market position in the long term.