BASF Champions Sustainability with Glasurit 100 Line at WorldSkills Lyon as Japan’s Yuto Hoshino Wins Gold

BASF Champions Sustainability with Glasurit 100 Line at WorldSkills Lyon as Japan’s Yuto Hoshino Wins Gold

(IN BRIEF) BASF’s Glasurit 100 Line took centre stage at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, where the company, as the exclusive global industry partner for the Car Painting skill, supported 23 finalists with premium automotive refinish products and expert training. Japan’s Yuto Hoshino won gold, with silver medals going to Lara Kaufmann of Switzerland, Jason Scherer of Germany, and Ronan Le Tutour of France. The event emphasised eco-efficiency, with competitors judged on sustainable material use, supported by Glasurit 100 Line, Refinity, and products from SATA and 3M. Yuto Hoshino also earned first place in the Sustainability Practice Award, followed by Vikash from India and Hui-Shan Chen from Chinese Taipei. BASF’s Chris Titmarsh praised the exceptional talent and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable skill development. The Glasurit brand continues its international presence, with the next WorldSkills Competition set for Shanghai in 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 15-Aog-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF’s Coatings division showcased its commitment to sustainability and skill development at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, by featuring its innovative Glasurit 100 Line, the world’s leading premium automotive refinish paint system. As the exclusive global industry partner for the Car Painting skill, BASF supported young painters from around the globe with products and expertise that combine top-tier performance with industry-leading eco-efficiency. Recognised for reducing process time, lowering material consumption, and advancing sustainable practices, the Glasurit 100 Line played a central role in this year’s competition.

The event brought together over 1,400 participants from about 70 countries and regions, with 23 car painting finalists competing in a demanding four-day challenge. After an intense contest, Japan’s Yuto Hoshino claimed the gold medal, while the silver medal was awarded to three exceptional European talents: Lara Kaufmann from Switzerland, Jason Scherer from Germany, and Ronan Le Tutour from France.

Competitors were trained ahead of the finals through Glasurit’s hybrid learning program, which combined digital webinars, online courses, and practical sessions at Refinish Competence Centers. These were supported by Glasurit Know-how and Refinity®, one of the most comprehensive learning and business platforms in the automotive refinish industry. The competition also placed strong emphasis on eco-efficiency, with all finalists judged on their ability to optimise material use while delivering outstanding quality. By integrating Glasurit 100 Line, Refinity, and tools from SATA and 3M, participants demonstrated that sustainability and excellence can go hand in hand.

The Sustainability Practice Award, which honours the most eco-effective approach to preparation and application, was presented for the first time using Glasurit 100 Line and Refinity. Yuto Hoshino secured first place, followed by Vikash from India in second and Hui-Shan Chen from Chinese Taipei in third. David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, commended the achievement, noting: “Skills development is central to sustainability, especially when embedded in government, industry, and education strategies. Glasurit’s 100 Line is setting a new benchmark for responsible, innovative car painting practices.”

Chris Titmarsh, Senior Vice President of Global Automotive Refinish Coatings at BASF, reflected on the significance of the event: “WorldSkills Lyon 2024 has been exceptional. The skill, passion, and dedication from the competitors have been inspiring. With Glasurit 100 Line, we’ve raised the bar for sustainable training and skill development, and we remain committed to nurturing a highly skilled, diverse workforce ready to shape the future of collision repair.”

The Glasurit brand was also featured at the world’s first WorldSkills Museum, inaugurated in Shanghai in 2023. Looking ahead, the 48th WorldSkills Competition will return to Shanghai in 2026, where BASF aims to continue leading the charge in sustainable car painting innovation.

About BASF’s Coatings division

The Coatings division of BASF is a global expert in the development, production and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings, decorative paints as well as applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries. This portfolio is supplemented by “Beyond Paint Solutions”, which enables new applications with innovative surfaces. We create advanced performance solutions and drive performance, design and new applications to meet our partners’ needs all over the world. BASF shares skills, knowledge and resources of interdisciplinary and global teams for the benefit of customers by operating a collaborative network of sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. In 2023, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about €4.4 billion.

Solutions beyond your imagination – Coatings by BASF. For more information about the Coatings division of BASF and its products, visit www.basf-coatings.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com

Media Contact:

Joerg Zumkley
Phone: +49 2501 14-3453
joerg.zumkley@basf.com

SOURCE: BASF