
Group 1 - Sherwin-Williams aims to jointly bid for BASF's coatings division, which is valued at approximately €6 billion (around $6.81 billion) [4][6] - The acquisition, if successful, would mark Sherwin-Williams' second-largest merger after the $11.3 billion acquisition of Valspar in June 2017 [1][4] - BASF is exploring strategic options for its coatings business, including potential partnerships or full divestiture, as part of a broader strategy to focus on core operations [7][8] Group 2 - BASF's coatings division includes automotive coatings solutions, surface treatment technologies, and decorative coatings, with significant applications across various industries [10] - In 2024, BASF's coatings division is projected to generate sales of €4.28 billion, a decrease of 2.4% year-over-year [10] - The automotive coatings segment is crucial for Sherwin-Williams, contributing approximately 15% to its high-performance coatings revenue of $6.797 billion in 2024 [14][19] Group 3 - The automotive coatings business of BASF accounts for 65% of its total coatings revenue, with OEM coatings making up 48% and automotive refinish coatings 17% [19] - A successful acquisition would enhance Sherwin-Williams' competitive position in the global automotive coatings market and expand its market share, particularly in the OEM segment [19][20] - Sherwin-Williams has experienced a slowdown in sales growth, with an average growth rate of 5.32% over the past five years, making the acquisition a strategic move to boost performance and market presence [20]