PPG has launched the first use of its next generation B1:B2 waterborne paint technology in the U.S. The next generation B1:B2 (wet-on-wet) compact process technology is currently in production at the BMW assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This marks the first use of a waterborne compact process in a U.S. automotive manufacturing plant.

“We are proud to have launched this process as a first in the U.S.,” said Bob White, director, global accounts, BMW. “Our waterborne B1:B2 technology highlights our dedication to helping our customers reduce the overall paint shop footprint and environmental impact, while achieving superior appearance and maintaining color flexibility.”

In the traditional automotive paint process, the application of pretreatment and electrocoat is followed by a primer layer. After the primer layer is cured, a topcoat layer of basecoat and clearcoat is applied and cured. This process has become a focus of technical brainstorming, due to it being both costly and time consuming.

The next generation B1:B2 technology works within BMW’s Integrated Paint Process and allows the customer to reduce the number of steps necessary to paint a vehicle by moving the traditional primer application into the topcoat booth. This movement eliminates the dedicated primer booth and all related processing.

The B1 layer provides primer, filling, chip and durability benefits. The B2 layer provides color and additional durability. Both the B1 and B2 layers are applied wet-on-wet and do not require a baking or a heated dehydration process in between. The fewer processing steps results in reducing the overall energy usage and paint shop footprint.

Compact paint processes like the B1:B2 process from PPG generate savings in capital and operating costs for OEMs by reducing the manufacturing footprint of a paint shop, lowering energy consumption and increasing overall process efficiency.