Global
Factbook
Global
Factbook
Surface Technologies
The Surface Technologies segment comprises the Catalysts and Coatings divisions, which offer chemical solutions for surfaces. Its portfolio serves the automotive and chemical industries and includes automotive OEM and refinish coatings, surface treatment, catalysts, battery materials, and precious and base metal services. We improve our customers’ applications and processes with tailored products, technologies and solutions, and support them through geographical proximity and supply reliability across all regions. The aim is to drive BASF’s growth by leveraging our portfolio of technologies and expanding our position as a leading and innovative provider of battery materials and surface coatings solutions.
Divisions
Globally, BASF is conducting research into innovative cathode materials that make electromobility a reality. BASF’s innovations for high-performance lithium-ion batteries will help double the driving range of a mid-size car from 300 to 600 km by 2025 and significantly reduce the charging time of electric vehicles. The photo shows a scientist filling a climate chamber with small test batteries at the Innovation Campus Shanghai, China. The batteries are investigated for several weeks under well-controlled temperature conditions. Small test batteries already provide very precise data to evaluate the performance over the entire lifespan of the battery in an electric car.
Factors influencing sales
EBIT before special items
Million € |
2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Sales to third parties | 16,659 | 13,142 | 11,199 |
| Share of total BASF sales (%) | 28 | 22 | 19 |
of which Catalysts |
13,570 | 9,396 | 7,469 |
Coatings |
3,089 | 3,746 | 3,730 |
| Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) before special items | 966 | 1,173 | 995 |
| Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) | 900 | 1,120 | 953 |
| EBITDA margin (%) | 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Income from operations (EBIT) before special items | 484 | 722 | 617 |
| EBIT before special items margin (%) | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Income from operations (EBIT) | –587 | 663 | 574 |
| EBIT margin (%) | –4 | 5 | 5 |
| Return on capital employed (ROCE) (%) | –4.8 | 5.7 | 5.3 |