BASF Coatings has announced that Jens Luehring will be appointed Chief Executive Officer upon closing of the transaction between BASF and Carlyle, which will establish a stand-alone coatings company. Dr. Uta Holzenkamp will continue to lead BASF Coatings until closing and will then support Jens Luehring to ensure a smooth transition. The transaction between BASF and Carlyle, announced on October 10, 2025, is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.
Dr. Uta Holzenkamp, President of BASF Coatings, said, “Having built a strong foundation for BASF Coatings with deep, longstanding customer partnerships, a strong and passionate global team, and market-leading innovative technologies, it is the right moment to hand over to Jens upon closing of the transaction. With his international experience in building and transforming stand-alone businesses, he will drive the company’s next phase of growth.”
Jens Luehring, incoming Chief Excecutive Officer, said, “I am honoured to take on this role at a pivotal moment for the company. BASF Coatings has a strong team, leading market positions, and highly differentiated products and services. Building on this foundation, we will accelerate the transformation towards an entrepreneurial, performance-driven and independent coatings technology leader.”
Jens Luehring is an international business leader with over two decades of experience in corporate transformation, carve-outs, mergers & acquisitions, and finance. A German national based in the United States since 2012, he spent 18 years in the industrial and medical gases industry, including leading the carve-out and stand-up of legacy Linde’s Americas assets as an independent, private equity-backed company. As President & CEO, he led the business for seven years, driving improvements in financial performance, operational excellence, and growth.
Dr. Uta Holzenkamp has led BASF Coatings since 2022, with global responsibility for around 10,500 employees. She brings nearly three decades of international leadership experience across the coatings, automotive and chemical industries. Since joining BASF in 1997, she has held various senior roles in Germany and internationally. Over the course of her career, she has combined strong business acumen and P&L responsibility with a people‑centric leadership approach and a clear focus on customers and operational excellence.