BMW is the first manufacturer to use matt paints made from biomass instead of crude oil. The process of replacing precursors like naphtha with organics was developed by BASF, and such shades are already used in the European plants of the brand. In addition to this, the BMW Group plants in Leipzig and Rosslyn (South Africa) also use an environmentally produced anti-corrosion coating.

In an effort to reduce the negative impact on the environment, BMW uses almost the entire arsenal of available solutions. The company is gradually switching to renewable energy sources. And this applies not only to assembly lines, but also to the production of individual components, such as aluminum wheels. By the way, already today up to 50 percent of the raw materials for the foundry of the plant in Landshut, Germany, are produced using solar energy.

BMW is also actively exploring the benefits of recycled materials, biocomposites and other innovative materials. Plus makes tires from ethically sourced natural rubber and viscose fiber. And the latest initiative of the brand is the use in the production of matte body paints made not from crude oil, but from biomass and waste from sewage treatment plants.

So far, this technology is used only in European BMW plants. An innovative process for replacing precursors like naphtha with organics has been developed by BASF, and these paints are identical to those used before – they are even produced on the same line. For this reason, in order to accurately determine how much color is considered to be produced entirely from sustainable raw materials, the mass balance method has to be applied.

Based on this, BMW buys exactly as much paint as bio-oil and bio-methane needs for a completely oil-free production. According to preliminary data, the transition to waste will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent. And the total savings of CO₂ by 2030 can be up to 15 thousand tons.