BASF announced its new GLASS tool, aimed at minimizing the ecological footprint of coating and pre-treatment processes. The Global Life Cycle Assessment of Automotive Surface Solutions (GLASS) provides a comprehensive analysis, enabling informed decisions for more sustainable surface treatments.
"A coating with its various layers of paint contributes approximately 30 kg of CO2 per manufactured vehicle. However, the actual application process has a much larger impact accounting for at least 150 kg of CO2 per vehicle, which makes approximately one third of the vehicle manufacturing process,” explained Sabrina Platzek, vice president Global Marketing Automotive OEM Coatings. “Therefore, in addition to the product carbon footprint of the coating, it is important to make the footprint of the coating process in the paintshop transparent---as well as the energy consumption and related cost. Only with comprehensive data and simulation, it is possible to derive impactful measures. That is precisely what we can achieve for our customers with GLASS--and this provides an exceptional insight for the industry."
GLASS stands out by employing an adapted lifecycle analysis model that goes beyond assessing individual components of the paint application process. It offers a holistic view of the environmental impacts across all stages of the coating process, taking into consideration regional and site-specific factors such as local climate conditions and energy use. This modular approach allows for a detailed analysis, whether focusing on specific aspects or evaluating the entire painting line.
"Once transparency is established, we can provide targeted advice to our customers and develop solutions together," said said Tim Banik, lifecycle assessment expert at BASF Coatings and developer of GLASS. "These can be CO2-reduced technologies at the beginning of the value chain or solutions that have a CO2-reducing effect when applied."
Furthermore, the compatibility of GLASS with BASF's carbon footprint calculation method, certified by TÜV Rheinland, ensures the reliability and compliance of the data with international standards. This integration facilitates a seamless assessment process, reinforcing BASF Coatings' dedication to sustainability.
For more information, visit the BASF Coatings website.
