Partnerships: BASF to provide refinish/paint services to Ineos Automotive; Liaoning Dingjide to produce additives for SI Group in China, SI to close Chinese facility

Ineos Automotive and German firm BASF's Coatings division have signed an agreement on a global automotive refinish body and paint development. The partners will commit to a long-term strategic collaboration that enables them to exceed the industry standard in vehicle body repair and paint refinish. The partnership includes the supply of sustainable refinish solutions, expertise and latest digital colour-matching solutions and training.

“We are very happy to partner with BASF to develop a world-class sustainable paint program in the next few years which follows the highest quality standards in paint-work repairs for premium vehicles,” said Steve Graham, Global Head of Aftersales, Ineos Automotive. “With BASF’s technical support and management experience in the latest body shop standards, the Ineos Automotive network can now rely on a partner that shares our commitment to excellence in customer service.”

BASF will cater to the Ineos body shop network in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be in the automotive industry and we are delighted to have the opportunity to broaden our engagement with Ineos Automotive,” said Chris Titmarsh, Senior Vice President, Global BASF Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions.

Ineos collaborates with BASF Coatings as a partner in surface technology for its first offroad vehicle, the Ineos Grenadier, manufactured in Hambach, France, since 2021. With the new agreement, BASF broadens the partnership with Ineos in the implementation and development of the body and paint program for both the Ineos Grenadier and the newly launched double-cab pick-up variant called the Quartermaster.

In other news, US additives supplier SI Group has tied up in a long-term supply partnership with Liaoning Dingjide Petrochemical, a Chinese manufacturer of additives and other specialty chemicals. Through this partnership, Dingjide will manufacture certain SI Group products in China as a co-producer. As a result of the supply agreement, SI Group says it will cease manufacturing operations at its Jinshan, China, manufacturing facility and list the property and associated legal entity for sale.

Under terms of the agreement, SI Group will continue to offer these products to customers in China and will distribute and sell these materials outside of China.

SI also adds it will seek to relocate its R&D facilities currently located in Jinshan and will continue to operate its remaining offices and manufacturing facility in China.

“By partnering with Dingjide, SI Group is able focus on establishing global performance additives leadership through its global sales and marketing reach and investments in innovation, while optimising our footprint and variablising our cost structure,” said Joey Gullion, SVP Chief Commercial Officer at SI Group.

“SI Group has a long history of providing quality products to industries worldwide. As part of our business strategy, we continually seek new ways to realise quality growth in Asia Pacific and globally,” said David Bradley, President/CEO at SI Group. “In addition, this local supply point through our agreement with Dingjide reinforces our position as a main antioxidant supplier of choice for our customers.”

“We’re very pleased to enter into a long-term strategic agreement with SI Group. By partnering with SI Group, an international leader in additives, Dingjide will leverage its world-class quality and production capabilities to support antioxidant growth in the global marketplace," said Zaiming Zhang, Chairman of Board of Directors, Liaoning Dingjide Petrochemical.

SI Group’s Jinshan, China manufacturing facility is expected to cease manufacturing operations in July 2024. The company will list the site for sale and seek a buyer immediately.

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