CORRECTION - Business Intelligence Group Honors Axalta with Six BIG Innovation Awards

Rhea-AI Summary

Axalta (NYSE:AXTA) announced it won six Business Intelligence Group (BIG) Innovation Awards for product innovations across Refinish, Mobility Coatings, and Industrial Coatings on January 15, 2026. Honored products include a waterborne clearcoat that reduces solvent emissions by >65%, a low-bake OEM coatings system modeled to cut plant energy use by up to 40% and save up to $40M annually in maintenance for a 100,000-vehicle plant, and a clearcoat curing at 80°C that may lower CO2 per vehicle by ~16 kg (~20%). Other winners address EV battery fire resistance, 100% solids UV cabinet coating with zero VOCs, and electrical steel coating for high-speed motor bonding.

Positive

• Six BIG Awards recognizing product innovation across three business units
• Waterborne clearcoat reduces solvent emissions by >65%
• OEM low-bake system modeled to cut plant energy use by up to 40%
• Modeled CO2 reduction of ~343 tons/year for a 100,000-vehicle plant
• Potential maintenance savings up to $40M annually for a 100,000-vehicle plant
• Lumeera 3250 clearcoat cures at 80°C, reducing CO2 by ~16 kg/vehicle (~20%)
• Total Cabinet Coating is 100% solids UV-cure with zero VOCs and near-100% transfer efficiency
• Alesta e-PRO FG Black provides flame-resistant protection for EV battery enclosures

Negative

• None.

Axalta products recognized for advancing sustainability, efficiency, and safety across automotive and industrial coatings

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued on Thursday, January 15th, by Axalta Coating Systems LLC, please note that there has been a correction to the headline. The corrected release follows: 

Axalta Coating Systems (AXTA), a leading global coatings company, announced that it has won six Business Intelligence Group (BIG) Innovation Awards for product innovation. The annual business awards program recognizes organizations, products, and people that bring new ideas to life in innovative ways. The awards recognize Axalta's commitment to developing coatings solutions that address critical industry challenges in sustainability, productivity, and safety.

"We are grateful for this unprecedented recognition of six product innovations from the Business Intelligence Group, which is testament to Axalta's unwavering commitment to help solve real-world problems for our customers," said Robert K. Roop, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Axalta. "These six awards reflect the extraordinary work of our teams who continuously push the boundaries of what's possible in science to provide solutions that deliver value to our customers worldwide."

Axalta’s six BIG Innovation Awards span all three business units across Refinish, Mobility Coatings, and Industrial Coatings. Product innovation honorees are:

Refinish

Spies Hecker Permahyd® Hi-TEC 8260 Premium Waterborne Clearcoat, Axalta’s most advanced waterborne clearcoat, provides a paint solution to body shop owners that reduces solvent emissions by more than 65%, has low odor, and eliminates application defects that detract from the appearance and aesthetics of the repair paint system. This sustainable clearcoat provides best-in-class appearance and productivity while enabling body shops to meet more stringent emission regulations.

Mobility Coatings

Axalta OEM Low-Bake Integrated Metal Body and Plastics Coatings Technology is a coatings system of basecoats and clearcoat for vehicle manufacturing that cures at 90 °C, over metal body and plastic parts, allowing both to be painted together in one paint line. Modeling by a major automotive OEM estimated that implementing this technology in a vehicle manufacturing plant that produces 100,000 vehicles per year could yield energy savings of up to 40%, reduce CO₂ emissions by about 343 tons per year – equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of 350,000 square meters of pine forest – and significantly decrease spray booth construction costs of greenfield plants. Additionally, it could bring annual maintenance cost savings of up to $40M.

Lumeera 3250 Low Bake Clearcoat offers the benefits of reduced energy use with the possibility of increasing manufacturing efficiency and reducing the overall carbon footprint of car manufacturing. Lumeera 3250 cures at 80°C instead of 145°C, the standard cure temperature of automotive clearcoats, so that metal car bodies and plastic parts can be painted in a single step, thus reducing CO₂ emission by at least 20% or ~16 Kg CO₂ per vehicle.

Industrial Coatings

Alesta® e-PRO FG Black is a flame and heat-resistant coating that protects electric vehicle battery enclosures from thermal runaway. Excellent adhesion, corrosion resistance, and low-smoke emissions allow manufacturers to apply fire-resistant layers on the interior and exterior of battery cases, improving overall passenger safety through enhanced flame and smoke containment. Alesta® e-PRO FG Black is thermally robust and provides EV manufacturers with the flexibility to integrate fire-resistant coating materials into their custom designs for enhanced safety and reliability.

Axalta’s Total Cabinet Coating Solution helps manufacturers achieve superior aesthetics and sustainability. The 100% solids UV-cure roll coat enamel has zero VOCs and nearly 100% transfer efficiency, reducing overall energy use and enabling immediate handling of coated parts, streamlining production. The Solventborne Edge Primer and Topcoat fill the unsanded face frame edges, minimizing waste and required touch-ups. Together, these innovations support sustainability goals by reducing emissions, conserving resources, and improving operational efficiency for cabinet manufacturers.

Voltatex® 1255 Electrical Steel Coating for Dot-Bonding Processes contributes to enhancing high-speed bonding processes for the automated production of modern electric motors, enabling a precise and durable connection of steel laminations that results in more powerful and efficient e-motors.

Nominations for the BIG Innovation Awards were judged by a select group of business leaders and executives who volunteered their time and expertise to score submissions.

The full list of winners and more information about the BIG Innovation awards can be found here.

About Axalta
Axalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at Axalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over 140 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Axalta Coating Systems 1050 Constitution Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19112 axalta.com	Global Media Contact axalta-media-relations@axalta.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9648970f-d50f-4f6f-aa3e-8301677d33a3

FAQ

What awards did Axalta (AXTA) win on January 15, 2026?

Axalta won six Business Intelligence Group (BIG) Innovation Awards for product innovations across Refinish, Mobility Coatings, and Industrial Coatings.

How much does Axalta's Permahyd Hi-TEC 8260 clearcoat reduce solvent emissions for AXTA customers?

Permahyd Hi-TEC 8260 reduces solvent emissions by more than 65% while delivering low odor and improved appearance.

What energy and cost benefits did Axalta claim for its OEM low-bake coatings technology for AXTA?

Modeling estimated the OEM low-bake system could cut plant energy use by up to 40%, reduce CO2 by ~343 tons/year for a 100,000-vehicle plant, and yield up to $40M annual maintenance savings.

How does Lumeera 3250 clearcoat impact vehicle manufacturing for AXTA?

Lumeera 3250 cures at 80°C versus a standard 145°C, enabling single-step metal and plastic painting and lowering CO2 by about 16 kg per vehicle (~20%).

What safety benefit does Alesta e-PRO FG Black provide according to Axalta (AXTA)?

Alesta e-PRO FG Black is a flame- and heat-resistant coating designed to protect EV battery enclosures from thermal runaway and reduce smoke emissions.