Business Segments
We have 11 divisions grouped into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, Agricultural Solutions.
With our segment structure we want to contribute to the success of our customers from various sectors in almost every country in the world. We take a differentiated approach to steering our businesses according to market-specific requirements and the competitive environment. We provide a high level of transparency around the results of our segments and show the importance of the Verbund and value chains to our business success.
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. Alongside internal transfers, our customers mainly come from the chemical and plastics industries. We aim to expand our competitiveness through technological leadership and operational excellence.
Divisions
Petrochemicals: Broad portfolio of high-quality basic chemicals and specialties tailored to the needs of internal and external customers that serve as starting materials for products such as dispersions, paints, coatings, plastics, insulating materials and hygiene products
Intermediates: Comprehensive portfolio of intermediates and specialties, which are used as precursors for products such as coatings, plastics, textile fibers, pharmaceuticals and crop protection products
| Division | Products | Customer industries and applications |
| Petrochemicals | Ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, alcohols, solvents, plasticizers, alkylene oxides, glycols, acrylic monomers, styrene and polystyrene, styrenic foams, superabsorbents |
Use in the BASF Verbund Chemical and plastics industry, construction, detergent, hygiene, automotive, packaging and textile industries; production of paints, coatings, cosmetics, oilfield and paper chemicals |
| 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 |
Use in the BASF Verbund
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Materials
The Materials segment is composed of the Performance Materials division and the Monomers division. The Materials segment’s portfolio comprises advanced materials and their precursors for new applications and systems. These include isocyanates and polyamides as well as inorganic basic products and specialties for the plastics and plastics processing industries. We want to focus primarily on organic growth through differentiation via specific technological expertise, industry know-how and customer proximity to maximize value in the isocyanate and polyamide value chains.
Divisions
Performance Materials: Polyurethanes, thermoplastics and foam specialties for sectors such as the transportation, construction and consumer goods industries, as well as for industrial applications
Monomers: Isocyanates and polyamides as well as inorganic basic products and specialties for sectors such as the plastics, automotive and construction industries
| Division | Products | Customer industries and applications |
| Performance Materials | Engineering plastics, biodegradable plastics, foam specialties, polyurethanes |
Automotive manufacture, electrical engineering, packaging, games, sports and leisure, household, mechanical engineering, construction, agriculture, medical technology, sanitation and water industry, solar thermal energy and photovoltaics |
| 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 |
Use in the BASF Verbund Industries such as plastics, woodworking, furniture, packaging, textile, construction and automotive |
Industrial Solutions
The Industrial Solutions segment consists of the Dispersions & Pigments and the Performance Chemicals divisions. It develops and markets ingredients and additives for industrial applications, such as fuel and lubricant solutions, polymer dispersions, pigments, resins, electronic materials, antioxidants, light stabilizers, oilfield chemicals, and mineral processing and hydrometallurgical chemicals. We aim to grow organically in key industries such as automotive, plastics, electronics, and energy and resources, and expand our position in value-enhancing additives and solutions by leveraging our comprehensive industry expertise and application know-how.
Divisions
Dispersions & Pigments: Raw materials used to formulate products in the coatings, construction, paper, printing and packaging, adhesives and electronics industries
Performance Chemicals: Customized products for various customer industries such as chemicals, plastics, consumer goods, energy and resources, as well as automotive and transportation
| Division | Products | Customer industries and applications |
| Dispersions & Pigments | Polymer dispersions, resins, additives, pigments, electronic materials |
Coatings, construction, paper, printing and packaging, adhesives and electronics industries |
| Performance Chemicals | Antioxidants, light stabilizers and flame retardants for plastic applications Fuel and refinery 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 Kaolin minerals |
Chemicals, plastics, consumer goods, automotive and transportation industries, as well as energy and resources |
Surface Technologies
The Surface Technologies segment comprises the Catalysts and Coatings divisions, which offer chemical solutions for surfaces. Its portfolio serves the automotive and chemical industries 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 and supply reliability 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.
Divisions
Catalysts: Mobile emissions catalysts, chemical catalysts and adsorbents, refining catalysts, battery materials, precious and base metal products and services, precious metal trading, recycling, clean air technologies
Coatings: Automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinish coatings and services, decorative paints, surface-applied treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates for a wide range of industries
| Division | Products | Customer industries and applications |
| Catalysts | Automotive catalysts, process catalysts and technologies Battery materials Precious and base metal services |
Automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, refineries, battery manufacturers, solutions for the protection of air quality as well as the production of fuels, chemicals, plastics and battery materials |
| 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 |
Nutrition & Care
In the Nutrition & Care segment – consisting of the Care Chemicals and Nutrition & Health divisions – we serve the growing and increasingly sophisticated demands for fast-moving consumer goods. Our customers include food and feed producers as well as the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, detergent and cleaner industries. We also offer solutions for technical applications and for crop protection and plant nutrition. We strive to expand our position as a leading provider of ingredients and solutions for consumer applications in the areas of nutrition, home and personal care. Our goal is to drive organic growth by focusing on emerging markets, new business models and sustainability trends in consumer markets, supported by targeted acquisitions.
Divisions
Care Chemicals: Ingredients for the cosmetics, detergent and cleaner industries, agrochemical and technical applications
Nutrition & Health: Products for the food and feed industries, the flavor and fragrance industry, the pharmaceutical industry and the bioethanol industry
| Division | 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 Ingredients for detergents and cleaners in household, institution or industry, 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 treatments or textile processing, as well as products for concrete additives, biofuels and other industrial applications |
Cosmetics industry, 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, human milk oligosaccharides 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, high-volume active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as ibuprofen and omega-3 fatty acids |
Food and feed industries, flavor and fragrance industry, pharmaceutical industry and bioethanol industry |
Agricultural Solutions
In the Agricultural Solutions segment, we aim to further strengthen our market position as an integrated provider of seeds, crop protection and digital solutions. Our connected offer comprises fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and biological solutions, as well as seeds and seed treatment products, complemented by digital products to help farmers achieve better yield. Our strategy is based on innovationdriven organic growth and targeted portfolio expansion through acquisitions. Customer needs, societal expectations and regulatory requirements are our innovation drivers.
Indications and sectors
Fungicides: Protecting crops against harmful fungal diseases
Herbicides: Reducing competition from weeds for nutrients, water and sunlight
Insecticides: Combating insect pests in agriculture and beyond
Seed Treatment: Improving seeds’ potential with chemical and biological protection as well as inoculants
Seeds & Traits: Optimizing and developing seeds and new traits
| Indications and sectors | Applications | Selected products |
| Fungicides | Protecting crops against harmful fungal diseases; improving plant health, securing yield and harvest quality | 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 | Basta®, dimethenamid-p, Engenia®, Finale®, imazamox, Kixor®, Liberty®, pendimethalin, Tirexor®, topramezone |
| Insecticides | Combating insect pests in agriculture and beyond, such as in the fields of public health, professional pest control and landscape maintenance | Alpha-cypermethrin, chlorfenapyr, fipronil, Inscalis®, Interceptor®, Nealta®, teflubenzuron, Termidor® |
| Seed Treatment | Improving seeds’ potential with chemical and biological protection as well as inoculants | Flo Rite®, ILEVO®, Integral®, Nodulator® PRO, Poncho®, Serifel®, Systiva®, Vault® HP, Velondis® |
| Seeds & Traits | Seeds and 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® |