STELLANTIS TO IMPLEMENT ABB·S PIXELPAINT TECHNOLOGY IN PRODUCTION OF THE ALL-ELECTRIC DS N°8

Stellantis' Melfi plant in Italy, recognized as one of the group’s centers of manufacturing excellence, will integrate ABB’s PixelPaint technology into the painting process of the new DS N°8—DS Automobiles’ all-electric flagship model. Set to launch in the second half of 2025, the implementation will support a fully automated, high-precision painting system with a strong focus on sustainability.

The PixelPaint system, used in combination with Nippon Paint’s single-coat technology, enables the creation of a sharply defined two-tone finish without manual masking or multiple paint shop passes. This marks a significant departure from traditional methods, which typically required labor-intensive and energy-consuming processes.

At the core of the system is a paint head equipped with over 1,000 individually controlled nozzles, mounted on ABB IRB 5500 robots. The head operates in close proximity to the vehicle body, guided by 3D vision and ABB’s RobotStudio® planning software. This setup ensures 100% paint transfer efficiency, eliminating overspray and airborne mist, thereby reducing waste and environmental treatment needs.

With two robots working in coordinated motion, the system applies the precise finish without interrupting the production line or requiring manual intervention. This level of automation aligns with DS Automobiles’ sustainability goals by minimizing energy consumption and lowering emissions during the painting process.

ABB, Stellantis, and Nippon Paint officially presented the collaboration at SURCAR Europe in Cannes, a leading international conference on automotive body finishing, where the project was honored with the Innovation Award.

The integration of PixelPaint in the DS N°8 illustrates how advanced automation and digital tools are redefining automotive manufacturing, delivering high-quality results while advancing environmental performance.