Re evaluation of raw material value in the changing landscape of the paint industry

In the summer of 2026, the global coatings industry will undergo a profound reshaping of its landscape. On July 1st, the former BASF Coatings Business Unit officially began independent operations in M ü nster, Germany under the new brand "Surventis". This independent enterprise with annual sales of approximately 3.9 billion euros, approximately 10700 employees, and a global layout of more than 30 production and research and development bases has become one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive coatings and surface treatment solutions.

1.Giant turns around: BASF Coatings becomes independent, Chinese entities intensively rename

This spin off stems from a heavyweight transaction between BASF, Carlyle Fund, and Qatar Investment Authority, with a corporate value of up to 7.7 billion euros. After the transaction is completed, BASF holds 40% of the equity in Svetu, while Carlyle's funds and Qatar Investment Authority jointly hold 60%.

At the same time as the equity delivery, several operating entities of Svetu in China are intensively promoting industrial and commercial name changes. Companies such as BASF Coatings Technology (Shanghai), BASF Coatings (Guangdong), BASF Shanghai Coatings (established in 1995 with a registered capital of approximately 609 million yuan), BASF (Shanghai) Coatings Manufacturing, and BASF Coatings (Changchun) have successively completed name changes. Changchun Company mainly serves northern car companies such as FAW Volkswagen and FAW Toyota, while Guangdong Company radiates to the southern Chinese market. A series of changes signify the accelerated formation of the operational framework for Svetu China.

2.Intelligent breakthrough: Svetu collaborates with domestic robots to deeply integrate technology and equipment

After leaving the BASF brand endorsement, Svetu is seeking new growth paths, and intelligent cross-border cooperation has become an important lever. On August 13th, Svetu signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Dalian Nasida Automotive Equipment Co., Ltd., a core enterprise in domestic automotive spraying robots. Both parties are jointly promoting the process adaptation and iteration of the new generation of embodied intelligent spraying robots around the theme of "collaboration between materials and robots, integration of processes and equipment".

Dalian Nasida has been deeply involved in the field of automotive after-sales equipment for 20 years and is the "hidden champion" in the domestic automotive maintenance equipment industry. According to the cooperation plan, both parties will achieve material process definition, equipment parameters, and intelligent equipment landing process standards. Relying on the AI driven operation system of Dalian Nasida, the robot completes the 3D modeling of the vehicle body through a 3D camera and automatically generates standardized spraying trajectories; Sviatu outputs a parrot (Glasurit) ®) High performance coating systems and precise color matching technology provide material and process standard support for robot operations. Industry data shows that the global market size for complete sets of automatic spraying robot systems will reach 4.6 billion US dollars by 2025, and is expected to grow to 11.15 billion US dollars by 2032.

3.New Desheng's perspective: Upgrading high-end coatings brings new opportunities for upstream raw materials

The independent operation and intelligent transformation of Svetu reflect the profound changes that the coating industry is undergoing - from traditional manual spraying to intelligent and automated upgrades, and from solvent based coatings to water-based and environmentally friendly coatings. This trend places higher demands on the performance of coatings themselves, and also means that the value of upstream functional raw materials is being reassessed.

Hubei Xindesheng Material Technology Co., Ltd. has been deeply engaged in the fields of fine chemicals and biological raw materials for more than 20 years. In 2026, it was selected as a single champion enterprise in the manufacturing industry of Hubei Province. The company has formed a multidimensional layout in the upstream raw material link of the coating industry:

Carbopol series: As an efficient water-soluble rheological modifier, Carbopol has excellent thickening, suspension, and film-forming properties. Carbopol, as a thickener in coating formulations, can effectively regulate the rheological properties of coatings, improve construction performance, and is widely used in water-based coatings, architectural coatings, and other product systems.

Tris (tris hydroxymethyl aminomethane): Tris is a weakly basic organic polyol containing trihydroxy and amino groups, which is suitable for water-based coatings, polyurethane coatings, polyester coatings, and functional building coatings. It has multiple functions such as pH buffering adjustment, cross-linking promotion, and dispersion stability in coatings. Its pKa ≈ 8.1, buffer range pH 7.0 – 9.2, accurately adapt to the stability range of water-based acrylic acid, polyurethane, lotion coatings. Tris can also be used as a polyol monomer in the synthesis of polyester and polyurethane resins, endowing coatings with high weather resistance and corrosion resistance. Compared to traditional ammonia and organic amines, Tris has lower volatility, fewer VOCs, and stronger environmental friendliness.

CAPS (3- (cyclohexylamine) -1-propanesulfonic acid): CAPS is widely used in the coatings industry and can be used for modifying water-based isocyanate curing agents. CAPS contains sulfonic acid groups, which can adjust the pH value of the coating while increasing its hydrophilicity, helping to prepare more stable and environmentally friendly new water-based coatings. The polyisocyanate modified by CAPS has excellent storage stability and can be used to prepare environmentally friendly high-quality water-based two-component polyurethane coatings.

The independent spin off of BASF's coatings business, the official operation of the Svetu brand, the intensive renaming of its entities in China, and the deep cooperation with domestic intelligent equipment enterprises - these series of events mark a new stage of development for the global coatings industry. Intelligence, automation, and environmental friendliness are becoming the core directions for upgrading coating technology.

In this process, the requirements for the quality and stability of functional raw materials in coating formulations continue to increase. From the rheological regulation of Carbopol, to the pH buffering and cross-linking promotion of Tris, to the water-based curing agent modification of CAPS - Xindesheng's raw material products are providing key support for the technological upgrade of high-end coatings. We will continue to serve every partner in the paint industry with solid product strength and stable supply capability.

Hubei Xindesheng Material Technology Co., Ltd. - Focusing on fine chemical and biological raw materials, assisting in coatings and precise diagnosis