- Business
- BASF SE (BASA.DE), founded in 1865 and headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is the world's largest chemical producer by sales and operates as a leading multinational chemical company with integrated sites worldwide, including major facilities in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America. The company supplies basic chemicals and intermediates such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, alcohols, solvents, plasticizers, alkylene oxides, glycols, acrylic monomers, styrene, polystyrene, styrenic foams, superabsorbents, butanediol and derivatives, alkylamines, alkanolamines, neopentyl glycol, formic and propionic acid, specialty amines, gas treatment chemicals, vinyl monomers, acid chlorides, chloroformates and chiral intermediates through its Chemicals segment; engineering plastics, polyurethane systems, thermoplastic polyurethane, foam specialties, biodegradable plastics, isocyanates (MDI, TDI), ammonia, caprolactam, adipic acid, chlorine, urea, glues, impregnating resins, caustic soda, polyamides 6 and 6.6, standard alcoholates, sulfuric and nitric acid via its Materials segment; polymer dispersions, resins, additives, electronic materials, antioxidants, light stabilizers, flame retardants for plastics, fuel additives, polyisobutene, brake fluids, engine coolants, lubricant additives and basestocks, components for metalworking fluids, compounded lubricants and process chemicals for oil, gas, metals and minerals extraction including enhanced oil recovery chemicals through its Industrial Solutions segment; ingredients for skin and hair cleansing and care products such as emollients, cosmetic active ingredients, polymers and UV filters, solutions for detergents and cleaners including surfactants, enzymes, chelating agents, water-soluble polymers, biocides and optical effects products, chemical ingredients and processing additives for crop protection, emulsion polymerization, metal surface treatment, textile processing, concrete additives and biofuels, additives for food and feed industries such as vitamins, carotenoids, sterols, enzymes, emulsifiers and omega-3 fatty acids, industrial enzymes, natural and synthetic flavors and fragrances including citral, geraniol, citronellol, L-menthol, linalool, Isobionics Santalol, valencene and nootkatone, as well as excipients and high-volume active pharmaceutical ingredients such as ibuprofen via its Nutrition & Care segment; automotive catalysts, indoor air quality catalysts, process catalysts and technologies, battery materials, precious and base metal services and recycling, coatings solutions for automotive OEM and refinish applications, surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates and decorative paints through its Surface Technologies segment; and fungicides (e.g., boscalid, dimethomorph, F500, Initium, metiram, metrafenone, Revysol, Serifel, Xemium), herbicides (e.g., dicamba, dimethenamid-p, glufosinate, imazamox, Kixor, Luximo, pendimethalin, Tirexor, topramezone), insecticides (e.g., alpha-cypermethrin, broflanilide, chlorfenapyr, fipronil, Inscalis, Interceptor, Nealta, teflubenzuron, Termidor), seed treatments (e.g., ILEVO, Integral Pro, Poncho Votivo, Relenya, Sepiret, Systiva, Teraxxa, Vault HP) and seeds & traits for canola, cotton, soybean, wheat and vegetables via its Agricultural Solutions segment, serving industries including chemicals, plastics, automotive, construction, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, energy, consumer goods and more. Recent developments include a binding agreement in October 2025 with Carlyle and Qatar Investment Authority to sell its automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and surface treatment businesses for an enterprise value of EUR7.7 billion, with BASF retaining a 40% equity stake and expected closing in Q2 2026; a strategic collaboration announced in November 2025 with International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) to advance enzyme and polymer technologies; inauguration in November 2025 of expanded Alkyl Polyglucosides (APGs) production capacity in Bangpakong, Thailand to enhance regional supply for personal care, home care and industrial applications, complementing a planned 2026 U.S. facility; opening in December 2024 of a new Catalyst Development and Solids Processing Center in Ludwigshafen; and ongoing portfolio adjustments such as integrating chemical and refining catalysts into Industrial Solutions and reporting battery materials and ECMS as separate divisions in Surface Technologies from 2025.