Sustainability
TripleS: transparent sustainability for our customers
Supporting our customers’ green transformation requires a product portfolio that is resilient, transparent, and aligned with future sustainability demands. Our TripleS methodology (Sustainable Solution Steering) provides the framework for this: it systematically evaluates the environmental and social performance of our products across their entire lifecycle and identifies where improvements or opportunities for sustainability contribution exist.
TripleS enables clear segmentation of our global portfolio and highlights the solutions that deliver measurable sustainability value – our Sustainable‑Future Solutions. By continuously reassessing our products, integrating new regulatory developments, and applying circular design principles in R&D, we ensure that our portfolio evolves in step with market expectations and supports customers in achieving their sustainability goals.
TripleS at a glance:
- We aim to increase the sales share of Sustainable-Future Solutions from 48.5% in 2025 (41.4% in base year 2023) to more than 50% by 2030
- The method is established at BASF, for more than 10 years
- Each product in its application can be assigned to one of 5 TripleS segments.
- Around 40,000 products are analyzed worldwide, considering their applications and marketing regions
- Semi-automated segmentation process enables high accuracy and updated segmentation
- Experts are involved in approximately 70 business units
What do we do?
The definition of "Sustainable-Future Solutions" is based on the balance between the three dimensions of sustainability - environment, society and economy. We are committed to finding sustainable solutions by connecting creative minds while sourcing and producing responsibly.
With its TripleS 3.1 methodology, BASF is fostering developments in transformation topics linked to carbon management like Climate Change & Energy, Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy. Realization and adaptation of processes according to regulatory environmental authorities enhances the overall assessment processes and quality. We intend to early identify solutions which in future are likely to be affected by regulations and to avoid negative market perception
How do we do it?
We use a cross-sectional assessment setup by focusing on a two-step process
- Basic Sustainability Requirements: We identify material sustainability lacks acting as an early-warning indicator for our product portfolio. Each solution in its respective application and region is evaluated based on corporate minimum requirements and stakeholder specific criteria. This covers BASF’s Code of Conduct. Chemicals hazard and exposure across the life cycle, anticipated regulatory trends and sustainability ambitions along the value chain and risks for the company’s reputation
- Sustainability Value Contribution: After clearance of basic sustainability requirements, controversial business areas and contribution to one of the nine defined sustainability categories are checked. All relevant elements contributing to a sustainable future are subsequently analyzed and documented. Our Pioneer and Contributor products are the best choice for sustainable-future solutions in their application.
TripleS Portfolio Segments 2025
After reassessing the portfolio in 2023 and 2024, we reviewed our TripleS methodology in 2025 to align it with the latest regulatory developments. We also adapted the segmentation process described in the manual to reflect innovative developments in the field of IT. As a result, we categorize our product portfolio into five segments, taking sustainability-related aspects into account: Pioneer, Contributor, Standard, Monitored and Challenged. We also take regulatory changes into account if they have a material impact on our portfolio and therefore also on our segmentation. For detailed information see the BASF Report 2025.
By 2030, more than 50% of BASF’s sales relevant to TripleS are to be attributable to Sustainable-Future Solutions. This KPI sales of Sustainable-Future Solutions summarizes the total sales of Pioneer and Contributor products. Products allocated to these segments make a positive sustainability contribution in the value chain.
With our TripleS methodology, we are committed to deeper integrate transformative topics into the assessment process and increase transparency on BASF’s portfolio contributions to Carbon Management. These transformative topics include contributing to reduce and mitigate climate change and energy in the value chain, promoting circularity in or through our products and the reducing the use of resources during the production process or in the value chain.
In addition, upcoming legal requirements for the chemical industry are considered within the assessment. This includes, amongst others, European developments within the chemical policy landscape as well as existing or upcoming international protocols related to environment, health, and safety regulations. Regulatory developments, such as updates of the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the United States, are directly integrated into the new method.
The assessment according to the TripleS methodology already begins in the research and development phase and is aligned with the requirements of the EU Commission’s “Safe and Sustainable-by-Design” (SSbD) concept. The assessment data collected at this stage are considered in later analyses of the sales portfolio by directly assigning relevant information to the respective sales product. The results of the assessment of research and development projects are part of BASF’s Annual Report 2025. Furthermore, TripleS continues to comply with the Portfolio Sustainability Assessment (PSA) method of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development which is applied broadly within the chemical industry.
These efforts and achievements by BASF regarding TripleS were recognized with the European Responsible Care® Award in 2023.
