BASF Opens New “Lean Lab” Laboratory Concept in Breuil-le-Sec, France

BASF Coatings has inaugurated new laboratory facilities at its Breuil-le-Sec site in France, representing an important step in strengthening its innovation capabilities in Europe. The opening follows the successful implementation of the Lean Lab concept in Münster and Würzburg, Germany, as well as in Guadalajara, Spain.

The new facilities in Breuil-le-Sec fully meet the requirements of BASF Coatings' customers. They comply with European standards for raw material classification and occupational safety while also contributing to a significant reduction in carbon footprint and enabling substantial CO₂ savings.

“Our goal has always been clear: to build a modern, digital, and highly efficient laboratory environment that strengthens customer focus and accelerates innovation. Thanks to the commitment of our teams, Breuil-le-Sec now stands ready with state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure that will support our further growth with French OEMs,” said Dr. Ralf Otte, Vice President, Global Technology, BASF Automotive OEM Coatings, during his speech at the inauguration.

The Lean Lab concept is built around a new laboratory setup designed to support the development of innovative, high-performance, and customer-focused products, particularly for automotive OEMs in Europe. The concept is structured around a clear and complementary specialisation of activities across three key pillars:

• Process laboratory: responsible for product preparation and optimising manufacturing processes.

  
  

• Product laboratory: focused on formulation activities, including the development of new products and colours, as well as the continuous optimisation of products to meet customer requirements.

  
  

• Laboratory services: responsible for managing the supply of raw materials and consumables required for laboratory operations.

This organisation enables seamless collaboration, improved operational efficiency, and faster product development. All workstations have been designed in line with ergonomic standards, regional requirements, and current performance benchmarks. The laboratories are equipped with modern IT infrastructure, ensuring full process traceability and enhanced efficiency throughout the product development cycle.

Located on the ground floor of Building D341 at the Breuil-le-Sec site, the new facilities bring together all laboratory services, a product laboratory equipped with the latest-generation technologies, and a secure raw material storage area, including a dedicated workstation. The area also features a social space designed to encourage interaction and support the well-being of the teams.

Source: BASF