OREANDA-NEWS. BASF's Coatings division has received the Materialica Design + Technology Silver Award 2014 in the "Surface & Technology" category for its XSpark(r) automotive coating. The distinction was awarded during the 17th International Trade Fair for Materials Applications, Surface Technology, and Product Engineering (Materialica) which took place from October 21 to 23, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The award is granted each year by MunichExpo Veranstaltungs GmbH.

The Materialica Design + Technology Award is one of the most important internationally recognized distinctions for innovations in the area of material development and application. "We are very pleased to have been selected for the award, since it highlights our high level of competency at the interface between design and technology," said Stephan Schwarte, head of Basecoat Pigments/Dispersions & Color Design Lab at BASF's Coatings division.

The award recognizes product and technology developments from all sectors that apply engineering and design competence equally. Meeting this challenge successfully fulfills the high standards of BASF's designers: "We drive innovations forward by using sophisticated design technologies and closely collaborating with the development labs to create new design ranges," explained Mark Gutjahr, head of Design Europe at BASF's Coatings division.

The XSpark effect coating is part of the "XColors - designed by BASF" product family. It includes innovative colors that feature remarkable special effects or exceptional color depth while being highly suitable for line production. Why XSpark stands out: The coating contains very fine glass particles that reflect the light. Depending on how the light hits them, a distinctive sparkle is created that makes the finish look exceptionally luxurious and elegant. The product is particularly geared toward manufacturers of premium vehicles and their customers. BASF won the Materialica Design + Technology Award 2011 for the XFine(r) metallic effect coating, which belongs to the same product family.