BASF Coatings, Renault Group and Dürr had redefined the future of automotive manufacturing with the Overspray-Free Application (OFLA) process (also known as Jetprint at Renault). The process was awarded the “Trophée de l’Industrie s’engage 2025” in the Innovative Process category at the “L’industrie s’engage par l’Usine Nouvelle” event.

(From left) Eric POUSSIN, Commercial Director at Dürr Systems France, Sonia ACHARD, General Manager Production Engineering Paint & Process Plastic at Renault Group, and Jerome DUPRE, Key Account Manager Renault Group & Sustainability Officer at BASF Coatings, at the award event.

BASF Coatings’ team at Renault’s production site in Maubeuge, France.

Traditional two-tone paint application requires vehicles to pass through the paintshop twice, with extensive manual masking and protective materials applied between coats. This results in a labor-intensive, time-consuming process that generates significant waste and energy consumption.

The Overspray-Free Application process redefines how two-tone vehicle painting is performed, setting a new benchmark in production by lowering operational cost and process time for the automotive OEM, while also reducing the environmental impact.

OFLA revolutionized this process by integrating a mist-free, high-precision jet-based application system inspired by digital printing technology. It enables pinpoint accuracy in applying coatings, such as contrasting roofs and A-C pillar, without overspray. The process eliminates the need for masking materials allowing customers more capacity in their paintshop for two-tone cars with this fully automated application principle.

BASF x Renault x Dürr

The OFLA process has been successfully implemented at Renault’s Maubeuge plant, introducing a revolutionary integrated, wet-on-wet paint application process that enables a new two-tone line to apply two colors in a single pass for mass production.

BASF Coatings contributed to this innovation with its specifically developed decor coat paint technology, tailored to meet the optimal performance, high-precision and automation requirements of the OFLA process with consistent quality.

Dürr’s jet applicator (EcoPaintJet Pro) and robotic automation innovation ensure highly accurate paint application with absolutely no overspray, supported by perfectly coordinated sensors and software.

This award-winning collaboration between BASF Coatings with its partners exemplifies how exploring meaningful innovative technologies together can shape the paintshop of the future and drive sustainable transformation in the automotive industry.

It also highlights the role of European manufacturers in setting new standards for efficiency and environmental responsibility in industrial production. OFLA not only enhances design flexibility and production efficiency but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable manufacturing in this sector.