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Business Segments

We have 11 divisions grouped into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, Agricultural Solutions.

Markets and consumer behavior are moving faster than ever, presenting our customers from a variety of industries and regions with a wide range of challenges. These include managing limited natural resources amid rising demand and the trend toward sustainable products. Our segments’ business models help to solve these challenges and show how we implement our corporate strategy in practical terms.

Segment Chemicals

Chemicals

The Chemicals segment consists of the Petrochemicals and Intermediates divisions. It supplies the other segments with basic chemicals and intermediates, contributing to the organic growth of our key value chains as well as to our direct customer business. Alongside internal transfers, our customers mainly come from the chemical and plastics industries. We aim to further expand our competitiveness through technological leadership and operational excellence.

  Products Customer industries and applications
Petrochemicals Ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, alcohols, solvents, plasticizers, alkylene oxides, glycols, acrylic monomers, styrene and polystyrene, styrenic foams, superabsorbents Chemical, plastics, construction, detergent, hygiene, automotive, packaging and textile industries; production of paints, coatings, cosmetics and oilfield as well as paper chemicals

Use in the BASF Verbund
Intermediates Basic products: butanediol and derivatives, alkylamines and alkanolamines, neopentyl glycol, formic and propionic acid

Specialties: specialty amines such as tertiary butylamine and polyetheramine, gas treatment chemicals, vinyl monomers, acid chlorides, chloroformates, chiral intermediates
Chemical, plastics, coatings, construction, automotive, wind energy, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries; production of detergents and cleaners, textile fibers, cosmetics, oilfield and paper chemicals

Use in the BASF Verbund
Technical plastics dyed in the signal colour RAL2003 are particularly in demand in the e-mobility market for the high-voltage range. BASF's plastic is outstandingly color-stable and heat-aging resistant.

Materials

The Materials segment comprises the Performance Materials and Monomers divisions. The segment’s portfolio includes advanced materials and their precursors for new applications and systems such as isocyanates, polyamides and inorganic basic products as well as specialties for plastics and plastics processing industries. We differentiate ourselves through specific technology expertise, industry knowledge and customer proximity, and want to create maximum value in the isocyanate and polyamide value chains.

  Products Customer industries and applications
Performance Materials Engineering plastics, polyurethane systems, thermoplastic polyurethane, foam specialties, biodegradable plastics

Transportation (including automotive, e-mobility), industrial (including electric and electronics), consumer goods (including footwear, sports and leisure, household appliances and furniture, medical devices), construction (including thermal insulation)

Monomers

Isocyanates (MDI, TDI), ammonia, caprolactam, adipic acid, chlorine, urea, glues and impregnating resins, caustic soda, polyamides 6 and 6.6, standard alcoholates, sulfuric and nitric acid

Plastics, woodworking, furniture, packaging, textile, construction and automotive as well as other industries

Use in the BASF Verbund
Segment Industrial Solutions

Industrial Solutions

The Industrial Solutions segment consists of the Dispersions & Resins and the Performance Chemicals divisions. It develops and markets ingredients and additives for industrial applications, such as polymer dispersions, resins, additives, electronic materials and antioxidants. We aim to grow organically in key industries such as automotive, plastics, paints and coatings, electronics, and energy and resources, and expand our position by leveraging our comprehensive industry expertise and application know-how.

  Products Customer industries and applications
Dispersions & Resins Polymer dispersions, resins, additives, electronic materials

Paints and coatings, construction, paper, printing and packaging, adhesives and electronics industries

Performance Chemicals Antioxidants, light stabilizers and flame retardants for plastic applications

Fuel additives, polyisobutene, brake fluids and engine coolants, lubricant additives and basestocks, components for metalworking fluids and compounded lubricants

Process chemicals for the extraction of oil, gas, metals and minerals; chemicals for enhanced oil recovery
Chemicals, plastics, consumer goods, automotive and transportation industries as well as energy and resources
Segment Surface Technologies

Surface Technologies

The Surface Technologies segment comprises the Catalysts and Coatings divisions, which offer chemical solutions for surfaces. Its portfolio serves industries such as the automotive and chemical sectors 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 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.

  Products Customer industries and applications
Catalysts Automotive catalysts, indoor air quality catalysts, process catalysts and technologies, battery materials, precious and base metal services and recycling Automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, refineries, battery manufacturers

Solutions for the protection of air quality as well as the production of fuels, chemical and plastics as well as battery materials and battery material recycling
Coatings Coatings solutions for automotive applications, technology and system solutions for surface treatments, decorative paints

 

Automotive industry, body shops, steel industry, aviation, aluminum applications in the architecture and construction industries, household appliances, painting businesses and private consumers
Segment Nutrition & Care

Nutrition & Care

The Nutrition & Care segment, consisting of the Care Chemicals and Nutrition & Health divisions, serves the growing needs of food and feed producers as well as the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries as well as the increasingly sophisticated demands of fast-moving consumer goods. We also offer solutions for technical applications, for example. We strive to expand our position as a leading provider of ingredients for consumer goods in the areas of nutrition, home and personal care through organic growth. We focus on growth markets, with a special focus on more sustainable products and digital business models in consumer markets.

  Products Customer industries and applications
Care Chemicals Ingredients for skin and hair cleansing and care products, such as emollients, cosmetic active ingredients, polymers and UV filters

Solutions and ingredients for detergents and cleaners for household, institutional or industry use, such as surfactants, enzymes, chelating agents, water-soluble polymers, biocides and products for optical effects

Chemical ingredients and processing additives, for example, for crop protection, excipients for chemical processes such as emulsion polymerization, metal surface treatment and textile processing, as well as products for concrete additives, biofuels and other industrial applications
Cosmetics, detergent and cleaner industry, agrochemical industry, technical applications for various industries
Nutrition & Health Additives for the food and feed industries, such as vitamins, carotenoids, sterols, enzymes, emulsifiers, omega-3 fatty acids

Industrial enzymes for bioethanol and food production, natural and synthetic flavors and fragrances, such as citral, geraniol, citronellol, L-menthol and linalool, Isobionics® Santalol, valencene and nootkatone

Excipients for the pharmaceutical industry and selected, highvolume active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as ibuprofen and omega-3 fatty acids
Food and feed industries, flavor and fragrance industry, pharmaceutical industry and bioethanol industry
Segment Agricultural Solutions

Agricultural Solutions

In the Agricultural Solutions segment, we aim to further strengthen our market position as an integrated solutions provider. Our offer comprises seeds, traits and seed treatment products and biological and chemical crop protection solutions, complemented by digital farming products to help farmers achieve a better yield. Our strategy is based on innovation-driven organic growth and targeted portfolio expansion through acquisitions and collaborations. Customer needs, societal expectations and reducing environmental impacts are what motivate us to innovate.

Indications and sectors Applications Selected products
Fungicides

Protecting crops against harmful fungal diseases, improving plant health, securing yield and harvest quality with chemical and biological solutions

Boscalid, dimethomorph, F500®, Initium®, metiram, metrafenone, Revysol®, Serifel®, Xemium®
Herbicides Reducing competition from weeds for nutrients, water and sunlight to secure yield and harvest quality
Dicamba, dimethenamid-p, glufosinate, imazamox, Kixor®, Luximo®, pendimethalin, Tirexor®, topramezone
Insecticides Combating insect pests in agriculture and beyond with chemical and biological solutions, such as in the areas of public health, professional pest control and landscape maintenance
Alpha-cypermethrin, Broflanilide, chlorfenapyr, fipronil, Inscalis®, Interceptor®, Nealta®, teflubenzuron, Termidor®
Seed Treatment Improving seeds’ potential with chemical and biological protection as well as inoculants
ILEVO®, Integral® Pro, Poncho Votivo®, Relenya®, Sepiret®, Systiva®, Teraxxa, Vault® HP
Seeds & Traits Seeds & Traits for key field crops such as canola (oilseed rape), cotton, soybean and wheat, as well as vegetable seeds
Credenz®, FiberMax®, InVigor®, LibertyLink®, Nunhems®, Stoneville®