Jens Luehring to lead standalone BASF Coatings
Jens Luehring will become chief executive officer of BASF Coatings following the closing of the transaction between BASF and Carlyle.
Dr Uta Holzenkamp will remain in post as president until closing and will then support the transition.
Jens Luehring is an international business leader with over two decades of experience in corporate transformation, carve-outs, mergers and acquisitions, and finance.
He 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.”
Dr Uta Holzenkamp, president of BASF Coatings, added: “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 standalone businesses, he will drive the company’s next phase of growth.”
Track record
Tanaka Maswoswe, partner at Carlyle, concluded: “We are extremely excited to have Uta passing the torch to Jens, an executive with a successful track record of transforming carve-outs into strong and growing standalone companies. With Uta’s legacy as a foundation and Jens’ experience in leading organisations, BASF Coatings is exceptionally well positioned for the next phase.”
Subject to approval, the transaction between BASF and Carlyle is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026.
