Daniel Freidank (left) and Wei Leng (right), lab managers, check the quality of viscoelastic polyurethane foam. The density of a foam product depends on the type and amount of blowing agent, and the flexibility or rigidity on the structure of polyols and isocyanates involved.
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Who we are

Innovate with us!

In 2025, approximately 9,000 employees worldwide were working in BASF's R&D units. Our global network of top universities, research institutes and companies gives us direct access to external scientific expertise, talented minds from various disciplines as well as new technologies. This strengthens our Research and Development Verbund and makes BASF an even more attractive partner and employer. In 2025, we collaborated with multiple companies as well as with 269 universities and research institutes. Join our network of innovators!

Make a new bond with BASF – The Chemistry of Collaboration​

Collaboration is about Connection, Connection is about people. Who or what can we help you find? #Letscreatechemistry

Brainstorm concept of team discussing new project in office; Shutterstock ID 1077065480; Jobnummer: 20751351; Projekt: Intra/Internet; Endkunde: BASF SE , FHG/TA, Jasmin Heinemann; Sonstiges: BASF SE, ESI/K Herr Götzger
Start-up
We want to improve many areas of life. If you think you can contribute with your idea, technology or business model, we want to hear from you!
University students sitting together at table with books and laptop. Happy young people doing group study in library.; Shutterstock ID 508251865; Jobnummer: 20749946; Projekt: Kampagne FLS 2020; Endkunde: BASF SE, ESI/K Nina Knapp; Sonstiges: BASF SE, ESI/K Nina Knapp
Academia
We look forward to innovating and collaborating with excellent researchers around the world. Bring in your expertise and partner with an industry leader!

What type of bond are you looking for?

Innovation Challenges: Discover collaboration opportunities with BASF

Halo Science: Discover collaboration opportunities with BASF
Halo Science is an AI-Powered technical marketplace for R&D partnering. Here you can explore possibilities to partner up with BASF and drive scientific progress. Turn your ideas into reality and transform the future together with BASF's funding opportunities.
Carefree young woman refreshing in water of a river
Personal Care: Care Creation
Together we will innovate personal care: Oils, surfactants, rheology modifiers, UV filters, actives - these are just some of the products BASF develops for the personal care industry. We invite you to join our open innovation.
Male scientist pointing while colleague holding digital tablet against greenhouse
Agriculture: Open Innovation Platform
Have you identified novel molecules and you are curious to see effects on weeds, fungi or insects? Just send us a sample and we will do the in vivo screening for you. Read more about the entire Open Innovation Platform process.
A picture of a finger pushing a start button
Agriculture: AgroStart
AgroStart is where we meet start-ups to cultivate the future of digital agriculture - together! Check out our offer and join us.

Customer Needs

Virtual customer innovation offering
BASF offers Virtual Customer Innovation workshops for customers who are seeking solutions to address an unmet need. If you’re a BASF customer, we invite you to partner with our global technical experts and jointly explore ideas to help solve your challenge. 

An expert opinion – Meet our Smart Scientists

Smart Scientists
At BASF, we are proud of our scientists. They drive innovations and help us change the world we live in for the better. Our innovation strength is based on our global team of about 10,000 qualified employees with various scientific specializations. Have a look behind the scenes of BASF R&D and get to know our experts who create chemistry for a sustainable future. 

Related News Releases:

Risultati: 2197

Jens Liebermann (right), Senior Vice President, Global Electronic Materials business and Chairman of BASF Taiwan, signed the Letter of Intent (LOI) with Ming-Hsin Kung (left), Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, at the 2026 Taiwan Business Alliance Conference, highlighting BASF's long-term commitment to Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem.

Photo: Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs
Trade News | Business & Financial News | 20 ottobre 2026

BASF signs Letter of Intent with Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs to advance next-generation semiconductor manufacturing 

BASF today signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), underscoring its long-term commitment to supporting the growth of Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem. Through this investment, BASF’s Electronic Materials business is expanding its Kuanyin site in Taoyuan with additional production capacity for advanced semiconductor materials, enhanced quality analysis capabilities, and an expanded Innovation Center.
Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, and Chen Zhong, President and CEO of Highsun Holding Group.

Photo: BASF SE
Trade News | 19 ottobre 2026

BASF and HSCC are pursuing a potential joint venture across the polyamide 6 value chain

BASF SE and Highsun Holding Group (HSCC) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to explore the combination of their respective European activities across the polyamide 6 (PA6) value chain in a 50:50 joint venture.
Depolymerization and solvent-based recycling successfully demonstrated at pilot scale for high-quality recycled materials in automotive applications. 

Technologies show potential to support circularity and CO2 reduction in the automotive industry following further development and scale-up.

Collaboration along the value chain with Mercedes-Benz AG, ZF Group and Pöppelmann K-TECH was essential for the pilot projects.

Photo: BASF
Trade News | 16 ottobre 2026

Double recognition for BASF's PA6 recycling technologies: MATERIALICA Award 2026 winner and runner-up at the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026

BASF has received two awards for its innovative solutions for closing the loop on engineering plastics. The two recycling projects for polyamide 6 (PA6) presented at K 2025 – depolymerization and solvent-based recycling – received both the MATERIALICA Award 2026 (winner in the category “CO2 Efficiency”) and the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026 (2nd place in the category “sustainability”).
Trade News | 8 ottobre 2026

Reliably Cooled: BASF launches GLYTHERMIN® for data centers of the future

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing is driving the expansion of data centers around the world and creating new challenges for operators in energy efficiency and thermal management. 
Trade News | 8 ottobre 2026

SEPAWA 2026: BASF draws inspiration from beauty rituals around the world to drive personal care innovation

Berlin, Germany – October 8, 2026 – At this year’s SEPAWA Congress, taking place from October 14 to 16 in Berlin, Germany, BASF will explore beauty rituals from across the globe. The company will showcase new ways to meet evolving consumer expectations by translating emerging global beauty rituals and trends into innovative, consumer-focused application concepts tailored to local market needs. “Beauty rituals from around the world have become a powerful source of inspiration for today’s consumers.