Factbook

Surface Technologies

Since January 2025, the Surface Technologies segment comprises the Coatings, Battery Materials and Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions divisions. Its portfolio includes automotive OEM and refinish coatings, surface treatment, catalysts, battery materials as well as precious metals and base metal services for the automotive and chemical industries. We improve our customers’ applications and processes with tailored products, technologies and solutions, and support them through geographical proximity across all regions. The aim is to drive BASF’s growth by leveraging our portfolio of technologies and existing customer networks and expanding our position as a leading and innovative provider of surface coatings solutions and battery materials.

Divisions

Coatings

Automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and services, decorative paints, surface-applied treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates for a wide range of industries

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Battery Materials

Advanced cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion batteries suitable for all battery applications, precursors, base metals sourcing and management, battery recycling solutions

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Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS)

Mobile emissions catalysts, precious metal trading and recycling, precious metal chemicals, temperature sensing, clean air technologies, solutions for hydrogen value chain

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Sales 2024

Sales by division

Sales by region

By location of customer

Diagram: Sales by division - Surface Technologies

Diagram: Sales by region - Surface Technologies

Factors influencing sales^1,2

EBITDA before special items

Diagram: Factors influencing sales - Surface Technologies

Segment data Surface Technologies

Million €	2024¹	2023	2022	2021	2020
Sales to third parties	11,849	16,204	21,283	22,659	16,659
Share of total BASF sales (%)	18.2	23.5	24.4	28.8	28.2
of which Coatings	4,280	4,387	4,220	3,440	3,089
Battery Materials	599	–	–	–	–
ECMS	6,970	–	–	–	–
Adjusted sales to third parties^1,2	6,603	8,626	8,947	6,933	–
Income from operations before depreciation, amortization and special items	1,099	1,520	1,464	1,277	966
EBIT before special items margin (%)	9.3	9.4	6.9	5.6	5.8
Adjusted EBITDA margin before special items² (%)	16.6	17.6	16.4	18.4	–
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)	887	1,351	1,264	1,243	900
EBITDA margin (%)	7.5	8.3	5.9	5.5	5.4
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items	603	938	902	800	484
Income from operations (EBIT)	-157	366	612	761	–587
Segment cash flow (%)	691	1,488	61	–	–

1 The former Catalysts division has been split into two business units Battery Materials and ECMS, which were established as independent divisions as of January 1, 2025. In addition, the chemicals and process catalysts business, which was previously reported as part of the Catalysts division, is part of the Performance Chemicals division since January 1, 2025. The figures for 2024 have been restated accordingly.

2 Adjusted figures excluding sales in precious metal trading and precious metal sales in the automotive catalysts business have been reported since 2021.