Factbook

Surface Technologies

The Surface Technologies segment consists of the Battery Materials and Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) divisions. Until October 1, 2025, the segment also included the Coatings division. The Surface Technologies portfolio includes chemical solutions for surfaces in the areas of battery materials and emissions catalysts, as well as services in the areas of precious metals and base metals. 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.

Divisions

Battery Materials

Advanced cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion batteries suitable for all battery applications, precursors, base metals 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 2025

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^1,3

EBITDA before special items¹

Diagram: Factors influencing sales - Surface Technologies

Diagram: EBITDA before special items - Surface Technologies

Segment data Surface Technologies

Million €	2025¹	2024¹	2023	2022	2021
Sales to third parties	8,967	8,055	16,204	21,283	22,659
Share of total BASF sales (%)	15.0	13.1	23.5	24.4	28.8
of which Coatings²	347	486	4,387	4,220	3,440
Battery Materials	642	599	–	–	–
ECMS	7,978	6,970	–	–	–
Adjusted sales to third parties³	2,631	2,809	8,626	8,947	6,933
EBITDA before special items	800	470	1,520	1,464	1,277
EBITDA margin before special items (%)	8.9	5.8	9.4	6.9	5.6
Adjusted EBITDA margin before special items³ (%)	30.4	16.7	17.6	16.4	18.4
EBITDA	1,394	405	1,351	1,264	1,243
EBITDA margin (%)	15.5	5.0	8.3	5.9	5.5
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items	587	203	938	902	800
Income from operations (EBIT)	1,141	–392	366	612	761
Segment cash flow	627	415	1,488	61	–

1 With the planned divestiture of the automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and surface treatment business units, sales and earnings from these activities will be reported as discontinued operations and will no longer be part of the sales and EBIT(DA) before special items of the BASF Group and of Surface Technologies.
The prior-year figures have been restated. Since January 1, 2025, the chemical and refining catalysts business has been reported as part of the Performance Chemicals division in the Industrial Solutions segment. It was previously part of the former Catalysts division in the Surface Technologies segment. The prior-year figures have been restated accordingly. In addition, the two business units Battery Materials and Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions were established as new divisions in the segment as of January 1, 2025. They emerged from the Catalysts division.

2 The figures of the Coatings division for 2025 and 2024 refer exclusively to the decorative paints business unit.

3 Adjusted figures excluding sales in precious metal trading and precious metal sales in the automotive catalysts business (reported since 2021).