1865 – 1901 / The Age of Dyes

On April 6, 1865, the Badische Anilin- & Sodafabrik (“Baden Aniline and Soda Factory”) is founded in Mannheim, Germany. The emerging company is intended to produce dyes, as well as the necessary inorganic chemicals. When attempts to purchase a site in Mannheim on the Baden side of the Rhine fail, the facilities are built on the opposite river bank in Ludwigshafen, a city of the Palatinate region. Very soon afterwards, the new company launches its first products.

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1865 / Foundation

On April 6, 1865, Friedrich Engelhorn founds a stock corporation in Mannheim known as the Badische Anilin- & Sodafabrik (BASF). His business concept is groundbreaking.

Erste Ambulanz auf dem Werksgelände, Erste Ambulanz auf dem Werksgel‰nde

1866 / First Company Physician

Just one year after its founding, BASF hires a company physician – the very first in the German chemical industry.

1868 / In-house Research

BASF appoints its first head of research and thereby lays the foundation for innovative in-house research.

"Filiale" der BASF in Butirki bei Moskau

1877 / First Foreign Production

BASF sets up its first production site outside Germany in 1877. It is located in Butirki, today a district of Moscow, Russia.

1897 / Indigo Pure BASF

BASF successfully launches its synthetic “Indigo Pure BASF”, winning the race to produce the "king of natural dyes" synthetically.

1901 / Indanthrene

A new blue dye, Indanthrene Blue RS, develops into a serious competitor for indigo.