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
Tri-Metal Catalyst technology
BASF’s innovative Tri-Metal Catalyst technology enables the partial substitution of palladium with platinum in production processes. Although slightly more palladium is produced every year than platinum, demand for palladium is currently around three times higher. Tri-Metal Catalysts help to reduce costs for automotive manufacturers and partially alleviate deficits in the platinum metals market. With this technology, BASF expects to expand its market share and anticipates a total sales potential of around €175 million by 2026.
Factors influencing sales
EBIT before special items
Million € |
2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Sales to third parties | 22,659 |
16,659 | 13,142 |
| Share of total BASF sales (%) | 29 |
28 | 22 |
of which Catalysts |
19,219 |
13,570 | 9,396 |
Coatings |
3,440 |
3,089 | 3,746 |
| Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) before special items | 1,277 |
966 | 1,173 |
| Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) | 1,243 |
900 | 1,120 |
| EBITDA margin (%) | 5.5 |
5.4 | 8.5 |
| Income from operations (EBIT) before special items | 800 |
484 | 722 |
| EBIT before special items margin (%) | 3.5 |
2.9 | 5.5 |
| Income from operations (EBIT) | 761 |
–587 | 663 |
| EBIT margin (%) | 3.4 |
–3.5 | 5.0 |
| Return on capital employed (ROCE) (%) | 5.6 |
–4.8 | 5.7 |