Performance Chemicals

Chemical catalysts and adsorbents

BASF is a leading global manufacturer of catalysts for the chemical industry, with solutions across the chemical value chain. The business comprises chemical catalysts, adsorbent solutions and custom catalysts. Priority is given to developing new and improved products that enable the chemical industry transformation to netzero emissions.
  

Fuel and lubricant solutions

BASF provides high-performance formulations and components for the automotive, transportation and energy industries. Our portfolio includes:

• Automotive fluids such as engine coolants and brake fluids
• Fuel additives and fuel performance packages
• Lubricant components, additives and base stocks
• Finished transportation lubricants
• Polyisobutenes (PIB) across low, medium and high molecular weight grades

   
Mining solutions

BASF’s mining solutions business offers a diverse range of mineral processing and hydrometallurgical chemistries and technologies to improve process efficiencies and the economic extraction of valuable resources. Our offer includes reagents and process technologies focusing on applications such as leaching, solvent extraction and flotation.

Oilfield chemicals

Based on industry-leading technical expertise, we offer a wide range of sustainable solutions and high-quality products that help our customers develop efficient formulations for the oil and gas industry. Our product portfolio includes:

• Chemicals for drilling, cementing and stimulation for the completion of production wells
• Additives for continuous and cost-efficient production of oil and gas
• Next-generation surfactants and conformance polymers designed to support enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations

Plastic additives

BASF is the globally leading supplier for stabilizer additives to the plastics industry. The product range includes high-performance light and thermal stabilizers, antioxidants, process stabilizers, UV absorbers, additive formulations and other functional additives. We continuously analyze, assess and actively enhance our portfolio, focusing on solutions that deliver a greater contribution to sustainability. The main fields of application are:

• Automotive
• Agricultural films
• Construction materials
• Electrical and electronics
• Fibers and tapes
• Mechanical recycling
• Packaging and consumer goods

Refining catalysts

BASF is a provider of novel catalysts for the petroleum refining industry, offering tailored fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst and additive solutions based on its customers’ specific needs. With a strong focus on customer-driven research and development, BASF continuously innovates its portfolio of FCC refining catalysts, creating new technologies that enhance operational efficiency and profitability in the refining industry.

The Performance Chemicals division holds one of the top three market positions in more than 80% of the strategic business areas in which it is active.

The main competitors (alphabetical order) include Afton, Clariant, Ketjen, Lanxess, Rianlon, Songwon, Suqian Unitechem, Syensqo and W.R. Grace.

Developing solutions together with our customers and ensuring technology leadership to improve our cost position are crucial to the success of Performance Chemicals. By leveraging the breadth of our competencies, we develop products that help improve the performance of our customers’ products and processes. We utilize advances in data analytics, modelling and automation to accelerate development and enable faster implementation of innovations. With sustainability as a growth driver for our businesses, we focus our innovation pipeline on solutions that will enable the transformations in the end markets. Important fields are resource efficiency, emissions reduction and the circular economy.

From 2023 onward

From 2023 onward

Low electrical conductivity coolants

BASF has introduced its new GLYSANTIN^® ELECTRIFIED^® low electrical conductivity coolants (LECCs) to enhance the safety and operational stability of battery systems in electric vehicles. The products comply with the GB 29743.2 2025 standard, which took effect in China on October 1, 2025, and are designed to maintain consistently low electrical conductivity when in contact with high voltage components. This helps reduce fluid decomposition and hydrogen generation, thereby lowering the risk of overheating, fire or explosion and contributing to improved battery durability and vehicle safety. In addition, the coolants provide robust corrosion protection and broad material compatibility. Their performance has been validated by external testing and certification bodies, including SGS and RATTC, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Transport of China.