Investor Releases

BASF Group’s business recorded solid volume growth in the first quarter of 2026, driven by China and, since March, significantly shaped by the conflict in the Middle East. “In this demanding market environment, BASF demonstrated resilience and achieved EBITDA before special items of €2.4 billion compared with €2.5 billion in the prior-year quarter,” said Chief Financial Officer Dr. Dirk Elvermann at the presentation of the quarterly figures in advance of the BASF Annual Shareholders’ Meeting taking place today at the Congress Center Rosengarten in Mannheim, Germany. Overall, sales declined slightly due to strong adverse currency effects and slightly lower prices. In a conference call for analysts and investors, Elvermann said: “Disregarding the currency headwinds of more than €100 million, EBITDA before special items would have reached the level of the prior-year quarter.”

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of BASF SE takes place on April 30, 2026, as of 10.00 a.m. (CEST). On the same day, BASF will publish its Quarterly Statement and News Release on the first quarter 2026 at 7.00 a.m. (CEST).

The sale of BASF’s optical brightening agent business to Catexel was completed end of February 2026. Optical brightening agents are ingredients in laundry detergent formulations. Both parties have agreed to keep the financial details of the transaction confidential.