Global
Factbook
Chemicals
The Chemicals segment consists of the Petrochemicals and Intermediates divisions. It supplies the other segments with basic chemicals and intermediates, contributing to the organic growth of our key value chains. Alongside internal transfers, our customers mainly come from the chemical and plastics industries. We aim to expand our competitiveness through technological leadership and operational excellence.
Divisions
The steam crackers at the BASF site in Ludwigshafen cover an area of around 100,000 square meters, the size of 14 soccer fields. The crackers are the core of the Verbund. They separate naphtha into ethylene and propylene at 850 degrees Celsius. Ethylene and propylene are indispensable building blocks for the production of many products. By using renewable feedstocks such as bio-methane or bionaphtha, the subsequent product carbon footprint can be lowered substantially. BASF is also exploring electric heating concepts, which could further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Factors influencing sales
EBIT before special items
| Million € | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Sales to third parties | 8,071 | 9,532 | 11,694 |
| Share of total BASF sales (%) | 14 | 16 | 19 |
of which Petrochemicals |
5,426 | 6,670 | 8,561 |
Intermediates |
2,645 | 2,862 | 3,133 |
| Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) before special items | 1,305 |
1,574 |
2,245 |
| Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) | 1,237 |
1,545 |
2,234 |
| EBITDA margin (%) | 15 |
16 |
19 |
| Income from operations (EBIT) before special items | 445 |
791 |
1,587 |
| EBIT before special items margin (%) | 6 |
8 |
14 |
| Income from operations (EBIT) | –192 |
622 |
1,573 |
| EBIT margin (%) | –2 |
7 |
13 |
| Return on capital employed (ROCE) (%) | –2.2 |
6.8 |
17.7 |