Plant biotechnology
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
We see plant biotechnology as a
future technology.
We are
convinced that our products can
make a contribution to a more
effective agriculture, healthier
nutrition and a responsible
conduct with our natural
resources. However, we must also
take into consideration the
political and public opinion in
our business regions.
The socio-political climate and the regulatory conditions do not give us any indication that genetically modified plants can be successfully commercialized in Europe in the years to come. This is why we announced already some time ago, that we would not begin any new products with a solely European focus.
After a careful examination of our portfolio and site structure we have now drawn conclusions from the circumstances in Europe. In future, BASF Plant Science will concentrate on the main markets in North and South America, as well as the growing markets in Asia. Projects with a solely European focus will be cancelled. The BASF Plant Science site structure will change accordingly: Our headquarters will be moved to Raleigh, North Carolina; in Europe, we plan the closure of our sites in Gatersleben, Germany, and Svalöv, Sweden. Only some few functions will remain in Limburgerhof, Germany.
However, this does not mean we are pulling out of Europe completely. As in the past, we will continue our industry-leading research and avail of the close partnership and collaboration with top scientists in Germany and Europe. For this purpose, we are strengthening our sites in Ghent, Belgium, and Berlin, Germany.
During this reorientation, it is important to us to ensure a fair and transparent process for the transfer of positions and the implementation of redundancies. The respective negotiations with the employee representatives will begin as soon as possible in order to keep the period of uncertainty among the employees short. Our employees have performed admirably and exceptionally, the decisions taken are in no way to be seen as a reaction to unsatisfying results or a lack of efficiency. They are no more or less than a reaction to the market environment in Europe.
With kind regards
Peter Eckes
- Further information
About BASF Plant Science
BASF – the Chemical Company – consolidated all its plant biotechnology activities in BASF Plant Science in 1998. With subsidiaries such as CropDesign and metanomics, BASF Plant Science forms the industry’s leading research and technology platform, employing approximately 700 people.
BASF Plant Science has established numerous complementary cooperations with research institutes, universities and biotechnology companies around the world. Its employees are working to optimize crops for more efficient agriculture, renewable raw materials and healthier nutrition.
Projects include plants with improved yield; plants that can better resist environmental factors such as drought or disease; plants with a higher content of Omega-3 fatty acids for preventing cardiovascular diseases; and plants with a higher nutritional value for animals.
During the 10-year period from 1998-2008, BASF is dedicating a total of €1 billion to its plant biotechnology operations.
More information about BASF Plant Science:
Healthy fatty acids from plants
Research Verbund for plant biotechnology
Position on
Plant
biotechnology
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pdf, 53 kb)
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