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Leoliner, a six-axled "splash of color", rolls through Leipzig with Glasurit® paints


WEBWIRE

Innovative 68 Line paints take to the tracks.

01/23/06, Münster/Leipzig. A “splash of color” that can be up to 44 meters long is rolling through Leipzig, Germany, transporting thousands of passengers a day. At the soccer matches held in Leipzig, a 2006 World Cup venue, the tram will be playing a major role in transporting the fans. And by the way, it sports BASF Coatings’ Glasurit® brand paints. The new generation of trams that are used and built in Leipzig goes by the name of Leoliner. The first unit from serial production was now inaugurated at a ceremony. The blue, silver, and gold cars are painted with products from the new and innovative 68 Line. The materials meet the stiff requirements for paints with regard to environmental protection, and in turn fulfill the VOC regulations.

2003 saw the kick-off for developing the Leoliner at the Leipzig Fahrzeugservice-Betriebe GmbH (LFB). The objectives: The new six-axle low-floor articulated tram should meet the highest standards of quality for modern public transportation, be technologically state of the art and tailored to the customers’ needs – and its color scheme should fit into Leipzig’s streetscape. For Sven Böhner of Leipzig, who is employed by the Glasurit® authorized dealer Autolack Petzold GmbH, and August Adam of Glasurit® GmbH Münster, both experienced application technicians, as well as Uwe Bräunig, manager of Autolack Petzold GmbH, it was the beginning of a two-year development phase, which they supported with good ideas and personal commitment. They settled all the technical questions related to the paint directly at the customer LEOLINER Fahrzeug-BAU Leipzig GmbH (FBL) at the new Leoliner production facility in Leipzig-Plagwitz.

The decision to go with 68 Line didn’t take long. Uwe Pinzer, CTS Account Management, says, “68 Line meets strict VOC regulations. Its low solvent content makes it not only environmentally friendly, but also assures it a solid future, and in turn, is eco-efficient.” Other advantages include greater hiding power, higher gloss, and a harder surface. Connected to this is higher scratch resistance. “From an economic point of view, 68 Line achieves major improvements and compared to the competitors, sets new standards for material consumption and application and drying times,” Pinzer adds.

The entire application requires only a single working step. After applying a mist coat, spraying to cover can take place immediately. The result is 30 percent less paint consumption and 30 percent less time required. That in turn means less residual paint and a minimization of inventory. The drying time could also be substantially reduced. 68 Line takes only 30 minutes to dry at 60°C, thus drying approximately 25 percent quicker than the solventborne18 Line. This all means shorter waiting times and ultimately, faster job completion.

The solutions provided by Glasurit® products are not just limited to the stylish “outfits” worn by busses and trams. They can also be used to paint the plastic parts in the vehicles’ interiors, for example.

For now, FBL will be producing a total of 30 Leoliners for the city of Leipzig. Five more trams are being produced for Halberstadt, a town in Central Germany.

Glasurit Automotive Refinish

Under the Glasurit brand, BASF markets a comprehensive range of automotive refinishing paint systems, focusing on eco-efficient waterborne basecoats and high-solids paints. By using these systems all legal solvent-reduction requirements can be complied with anywhere in the world, and with regard to appearance and resistance, the products meet the same quality standards as solvent-borne paints. In this area, the company offers a wide variety of services to support its customers. Glasurit Automotive Refinish is approved by most of the leading car manufacturers for aftermarket repair worldwide and chosen by them for its color expertise. Internet: www.glasurit.com



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