What BASF does

BASF SE is the world's largest chemical company, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, with FY2025 Group sales of approximately €60 billion (€59.7 billion) generated across six reporting segments: four core businesses (Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Nutrition & Care) contributing the bulk of revenue, plus two standalone businesses (Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions). The company operates 234 production sites including seven integrated Verbund sites in 93 countries with approximately 108,251 employees as of December 31, 2025. Its product portfolio spans nearly every industrial vertical — from crop protection chemicals, seeds, and digital farming platforms (xarvio), to automotive OEM and refinish coatings, battery cathode active materials and binders, refinery catalysts, UV filters (Tinosorb S), personal care and nutrition ingredients, construction chemicals, and circular feedstocks (Ccycled portfolio).

The Verbund integrated production system is BASF's defining technology and economic moat: production plants, energy flows, and waste streams are interconnected so that byproducts from one process feed another, creating cost and CO2 advantages that competitors cannot easily replicate. The newly inaugurated Zhanjiang Verbund site in China, BASF's largest-ever single investment at €8.7 billion and powered entirely by renewable electricity, extends this architecture. R&D spend reached €2.2 billion in 2025 with approximately 25% allocated to AI and digitalization, supporting AI-driven materials discovery, digital twin process optimization, and the xarvio digital farming platform. Mass balance substitution of fossil feedstocks with bio-based naphtha, biomethane, and pyrolysis oil enables circular product offerings such as Acronal Ccycled and Ccycled binders.

BASF generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise B2B sales of chemicals and materials, quote-based and not publicly priced, to industrial customers across agriculture, automotive, electronics, energy, construction, nutrition, personal care, and pharmaceutical end markets. Distribution combines in-house direct sales teams with exclusive third-party distributors (e.g., Univar Solutions in North America for Hexamoll DINCH; OMYA/Distrupol for Elastollan TPU in select regions). Pricing is negotiated per contract rather than list-published. Revenue is further diversified by licensing and royalty income from registered trademarks (Tinosorb S, ecoflex, ecovio, InVigor, LibertyLink, B2Last, Acronal) and by regional affiliates such as BASF Corporation (North America, $18.1 billion in 2025 sales). BASF is currently executing a major portfolio reshaping: divesting the Coatings business to Carlyle/QIA for €7.7 billion, selling the silicates business to PQ, divesting BASF Pakistan, and preparing a 2027 IPO of the Agricultural Solutions business, while commissioning Zhanjiang and running a 20% fixed-cost reduction program by 2029 alongside a €4 billion share buyback through 2028.

Name

BASF

Legal name

BASF SE

Website

https://basf.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

BASF SE is the world's largest chemical company, generating ~€60 billion in FY2025 sales across agricultural solutions, automotive coatings, battery materials, refinery catalysts, personal care ingredients, and industrial chemicals. It serves customers in nearly every industry from seven integrated Verbund production sites in 93 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Food Manufacturing (311), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Chlor-Alkali & Derivatives (IMAEAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Textile, Leather & Paper Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAM), Personal Care & Cosmetic Ingredients (IMAEABAJ)

Keywords

• Industrial chemicals
• Specialty chemicals
• Agricultural solutions
• Performance materials
• Coatings and pigments

Headquarters

HQ city

Ludwigshafen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Chemicals and Materials Sales: Core segments (Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Nutrition & Care) sell chemical intermediates, materials, performance chemicals, and nutrition ingredients to industrial customers in nearly all sectors; BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025 from these combined segments.
2. Agricultural Solutions Sales: Standalone business generating €9.6 billion in sales in 2025, connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools (xarvio), and sustainability approaches. Includes products like InVigor Gold canola seed, crop protection chemicals, and digital farming solutions. R&D investment of €990 million in 2025.
3. Surface Technologies / Coatings Sales: Standalone business segment focused on automotive OEM coatings, refinish coatings, and surface treatment; coatings segment generated €3.75 billion in sales with €274 million EBIT in 2025. Spinning off into independent company (60% Carlyle/QIA, 40% BASF) targeted for Q2 2026 closing with €7.7 billion enterprise value.
4. Distribution and Channel Sales: Revenue generated through third-party distribution partnerships (e.g., Univar Solutions exclusive for Hexamoll DINCH plasticizer in U.S./Canada) and direct sales through BASF's own sales force.
5. Circular Feedstock and Ccycled Products: Revenue from circular chemicals and Ccycled product portfolio using chemically recycled feedstocks (e.g., Encina circular benzene supply agreement), including Acronal Ccycled binder used by Cromology in Tollens paints.
6. Licensing and Royalty Income: BASF receives licensing revenue and royalties from intellectual property assets including Tinosorb S, ecoflex, ecovio, InVigor, LibertyLink, B2Last, Acronal, and other registered trademarks used by customers and partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BASF manufactures and sells a broad portfolio of chemicals, materials, performance chemicals, agricultural solutions, and nutrition ingredients to industrial customers worldwide. Its core business spans four segments — Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care — producing intermediates, petrochemicals, monomers, pigments, coatings, care chemicals, and nutritional ingredients, complemented by standalone Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions businesses that supply automotive coatings, crop protection, seeds, and digital farming platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tinosorb S: Sunscreen active ingredient (Bemotrizinol/BEMT) for broad-spectrum UV protection; first new FDA-approved UV filter since 1996/1999
• InVigor Gold
• Hexamoll DINCH
• ecoflex
• ecovio
• Ccycled
• Oppanol N PLUS
• Acronal Ccycled
• B2Last
• xarvio
• xarvio FIELD MANAGER
• xarvio BIOENERGY
• Circalo
• LibertyLink
• Z-COTE
• Elastollan

Products and services

• BASF Industrial Chemicals and Materials Portfolio Broad portfolio of chemical intermediates, petrochemicals, monomers, performance chemicals, and nutrition ingredients sold to industrial customers in nearly all sectors — including petrochemicals, dispersions, resins, pigments, care chemicals, and nutritional ingredients.
• Agricultural Solutions (Crop Protection, Seeds, Traits, xarvio Digital Farming) Seeds and traits (e.g., InVigor canola hybrids, LibertyLink weed control trait), crop protection chemicals, and digital farming tools (xarvio FIELD MANAGER, xarvio BIOENERGY, Circalo Low Carbon Intensity Crops program) for farmers, growers, and biofuel producers.
• BASF Surface Technologies / Coatings Automotive OEM coatings, refinish coatings, and surface treatment products for vehicle manufacturers and refinish markets.
• Refinery Catalysts (FCC Catalysts) Tailored Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalysts for the petroleum refining industry providing feed flexibility and sustainable options for all FCC units.
• xarvio Digital Farming Platform Digital agriculture platform including xarvio FIELD MANAGER for agronomic decision support, xarvio BIOENERGY for low-carbon-intensity feedstock tracking, and the Circalo: Low Carbon Intensity Crops program for biofuel supply chains.
• Hexamoll DINCH Non-Phthalate Plasticizer Non-phthalate plasticizer for sensitive applications such as toys, food contact materials, and medical devices; distributed exclusively by Univar Solutions in the U.S. and Canada.
• Elastollan Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) BASF's thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) brand distributed by OMYA/Distrupol across multiple regions for high-performance polymer applications.
• Tinosorb S (Bemotrizinol) UV Filter Broad-spectrum UVB/UVA filter (Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine) for sunscreen formulations; also serves as a photostabilizer for other UV filters including avobenzone, with low percutaneous absorption.
• Oppanol N PLUS Polyisobutene Binder Polyisobutene-based binder engineered for next-generation EV batteries including solid-state architectures, with tighter manufacturing specifications to reduce batch-to-batch variability and lower QC overhead.
• SCC55 Silicon-Carbon Composite Material Silicon-carbon composite material developed with Group14 Technologies capable of over 1,000 charging cycles at 80% capacity retention, advancing commercialization of next-generation battery anode materials.
• Cathode Active Materials for Semi-Solid-State Batteries First mass-produced cathode active materials for semi-solid-state batteries, developed with Beijing WELION New Energy for next-generation EV batteries.
• Ccycled Circular Chemicals Portfolio Portfolio of circular products using chemically recycled feedstocks such as pyrolysis oil and circular benzene, enabling drop-in sustainable chemistry through the mass balance approach.
• Acronal Ccycled Acrylic Binder Chemically recycled acrylic binder using pyrolysis technology to convert end-of-life tires into secondary feedstock, replacing fossil resources while maintaining equivalent product quality.
• AeroSHARK Riblet Film Technology Sharkskin-like riblet film technology for aircraft surfaces that reduces drag and saves fuel; already applied to Boeing 777 fuselage and engine nacelles, with expansion to Airbus A330ceo underway.
• B2Last Bitumen Additive Innovative bitumen additive for road construction that enhances durability, reduces carbon footprints, and makes construction sites safer.
• ecoflex and ecovio Compostable Bioplastics Certified compostable bioplastic materials used in applications such as NOD Apiary's Formic Pro hive strips for honey bee health.
• Formic Acid (Intermediates) for Agriculture and Industry Formic acid supplied to NOD Apiary Products for Formic Pro treatment and used across agricultural and industrial applications.
• InVigor Gold L322 Hybrid Canola Seed First hybrid in BASF's InVigor Gold canola seed innovation, leveraging Brassica juncea genetics with native pod shatter tolerance and LibertyLink weed control; designed for warmer, drier growing conditions including Montana.
• Biomass-Balanced PESU (Ultrason) World's first biomass-balanced polyethersulfone (PESU) product, offering a more sustainable alternative to fossil-based high-performance polymers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 metric tons of fuel and 65,000 metric tons of CO2 saved on Boeing 777 aircraft using AeroSHARK technology
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Kemyion Chemical Solutions Trading FZCOminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) approved the acquisition of BASF Pakistan (Private) Limited by UAE-based Kemyion Chemical Solutions Trading FZCO, facilitating a foreign investment transaction. Under a Share Purchase Agreement signed on November 18, 2025, Kemyion will acquire 100 percent shareholding of BASF Pakistan from Germany's BASF SE.
• Rock Tech Lithium and VolkswagencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026A strategic partnership between Canadian miner Rock Tech Lithium, German chemical company BASF, and automaker Volkswagen is being positioned as a way to reduce Europe's dependence on Chinese lithium for electric vehicles. The value chain alignment links Canadian extraction to German EV production as an investment opportunity for European industrial autonomy.
• Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 June 2026BASF executives attended the CKGSB 10th Economic Symposium in Beijing on June 22, 2026, alongside Fortune 500 leaders including Abbott, Merck, Siemens, Rolls-Royce, Samsung, Shell, and ATM Capital. The forum examined China's economic outlook and its evolving relationships with ASEAN and Europe, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 1 trillion (China-ASEAN) and over €700 billion (China-EU) annually.
• ArcelorMittal, BP, Thyssen-Krupp, Evonik, Covestro, Ineos, Trimet, Lhoist, Solvay (and 40+ energy-intensive companies)minorOthers · 17 June 2026More than 40 energy-intensive companies, including Arcelor-Mittal, BP, BASF, Thyssen-Krupp, Evonik, Covestro, Ineos, Trimet, Lhoist, and Solvay, sent a letter to EU Council President António Costa and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides calling for a fundamental reform of the EU emissions trading system. They argue that rapidly rising CO2 costs are damaging Europe's industrial base.
• DSM-FirmenichcoreTechnology or Integration · 10 June 2026DSM-Firmenich sponsored bemotrizinol (BEMT) through FDA's approval process, marketed as Parsol Shield. BASF separately markets the same molecule as Tinosorb S. Both companies now have approved UV filter products in the U.S. market.
• Univar SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 June 2026Univar Solutions announced an enhanced strategic partnership with BASF's Petrochemicals business, becoming the exclusive distribution partner for BASF's Hexamoll® DINCH non-phthalate plasticizer in the United States and Canada. The expanded agreement leverages Univar Solutions' integrated distribution network and technical expertise to deliver BASF's established plasticizers portfolio across North America. Both companies view this expansion as strengthening their long-standing collaboration and market position in the plasticizers sector.
• Encina Development Group LLCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Encina Development Group and BASF signed a strategic Collaboration Agreement to support the development of Encina's planned circular chemicals production facility on the U.S. Gulf Coast. BASF will provide strategic advisory services through the project's Final Investment Decision, building on an existing supply agreement where BASF purchases chemically recycled circular benzene for its Ccycled® portfolio. The agreement also establishes a framework for exploring future joint opportunities in international markets, including potential equity investments. Encina's first commercial-scale facility is expected to produce approximately 175,000 metric tons per year of circular benzene.
• Carlyle GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026European Commission approved Carlyle Group's acquisition of BASF's coatings division for approximately €7.7 billion ($8.96 billion), subject to Carlyle divesting Nouryon's global polysulfides business. Carlyle is partnering with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) on the transaction, with BASF retaining a 40% stake in the newly formed company. The deal is expected to close following completion of required divestitures.
• OMYA / DistrupolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 May 2026BASF and Omya have expanded their distribution partnership for Elastollan thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), with Omya appointed as the mutually exclusive distribution partner across France, Switzerland, North Africa, Israel, and the Middle East, effective 1 July 2026. The agreement builds on Omya's existing Elastollan TPU business in the UK and Ireland, managed through its Distrupol subsidiary, and supports Omya's strategy to strengthen its presence in high-performance polymers.
• InnomoticscoreTechnology or Integration · 29 May 2026German drive technology specialist Innomotics is supplying motors and drives for industrial heat pumps, including technology for what is described as the world's most powerful industrial heat pump at BASF's Ludwigshafen site in Germany, expected to produce up to 500,000 tonnes of steam annually.
• Group14 TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 28 May 2026Group14 Technologies and BASF advanced commercialization of their SCC55 silicon-carbon composite material capable of over 1,000 charging cycles at 80% capacity retention for next-generation silicon anode batteries.
• Loop IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Loop Industries partnered with BASF for a 70,000 tpa PET recycling facility in Germany; Infinite Loop Europe selected BASF Industriepark Lausitz in Schwarzheide for its first facility, entering the engineering and permitting phase.
• Lim Han Loon (new BASF Greater China Chairman)coreOthers · 27 May 2026Lim Han Loon will become Chairman and President of BASF Greater China, effective July 1, 2026, replacing Dr. Lou Jianfeng who is leaving the company. Lim is currently President of Major Asia Projects based in Zhanjiang, with management experience spanning Germany, Singapore, Japan, and China.
• ArvacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026BASF and Arva announced a strategic collaboration to help biofuel producers and farmers capture the full value of the Clean Fuel Production Credit (Section 45Z). Together, the companies will connect biorefineries with verified low-carbon intensity (CI) grain through both farmer-direct and commercial channels. The collaboration expands the capability of the Circalo: Low Carbon Intensity Crops program by BASF, allowing a biorefinery to help maximize its low-CI grain procurement through both farmer-direct and commercial channels.
• SunfirecoreTechnology or Integration · 26 May 2026Sunfire, a Dresden-based hydrogen company, has broken ground on a new solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) test facility at BASF's Industriepark Lausitz in Schwarzheide, Germany, with commissioning planned for the end of 2025. The facility is designed to generate operational experience and validate SOEC performance under real industrial conditions, bridging the gap between laboratory results and large-scale commercial deployment.
• Beijing WELION New EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026BASF and Beijing WELION New Energy collaborated on the first mass-produced cathode active materials for semi-solid-state batteries, supporting next-generation EV battery development.
• 3D Prod (acquirer of Sculpteo)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 May 20263D Prod acquired Sculpteo from BASF New Business GmbH to establish a unified group as a European reference point for industrial 3D printing. The combined entity operates 78 industrial 3D printers, serves 7,000+ corporate clients across 61 countries, and generates €17 million in annual revenue.
• Siemens EnergyflagshipTechnology or Integration · 21 May 2026Siemens Energy delivered Germany's largest PEM electrolyzer facility for green hydrogen production at BASF's Ludwigshafen site — a 54-megawatt plant capable of producing roughly 8,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, part of the Hy4Chem project. The facility can save up to 72,000 tons of CO2 annually when running at full capacity and received €124.3 million in funding from the German government and the EU's IPCEI H2 program.
• CromologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026BASF and Cromology announced a partnership in which the French paint manufacturer will integrate BASF's chemically recycled acrylic binder Acronal Ccycled into its Tollens interior wall paints. The collaboration uses pyrolysis technology to convert end-of-life tires into secondary feedstock, replacing fossil resources while maintaining equivalent product quality and enabling a reduced CO₂ footprint. This partnership marks both companies' commitment to scaling circular solutions in decorative paints.
• Lufthansa Technik / AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026AeroSHARK sharkskin-like riblet technology co-developed by Lufthansa Technik and BASF has already saved over 20,000 metric tons of fuel and 65,000 metric tons of CO2 on Boeing 777 aircraft. Lufthansa and Airbus are expanding the technology to Airbus A330ceo aircraft, with EASA certification in progress.
• Google (Gemini for Science)coreTechnology or Integration · 19 May 2026Google launched Gemini for Science, a collection of AI-powered tools for scientific research, with partners including BASF, Klarna, Daiichi Sankyo, Bayer Crop Science, and U.S. National Labs testing them in private preview. BASF participates through Google Cloud deployment.
• NutriencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026BASF and Nutrien have announced a partnership to advance sustainable agriculture through digital tools, combining BASF's xarvio® digital farming platform with Nutrien's agronomic expertise. The collaboration aims to connect U.S. farmers with refineries by documenting crop carbon intensity scores, enabling farmers to access new revenue markets including low-carbon biofuel markets under the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) program.
• NOD Apiary Products Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2026BASF and NOD Apiary Products announced a collaboration to advance honey bee health, building on their existing supplier relationship where BASF's Intermediates division provides formic acid for NOD's Formic Pro™ treatment product. Formic Pro™ uses innovative strips made from BASF's compostable ecoflex® and ecovio® materials. The collaboration includes funding and technical support, drawing on expertise from BASF's Performance Materials and Agricultural Solutions businesses.
• HortaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2022BASF acquired the Italian digital farming solutions company Horta on May 30, 2022, to enhance its digital agriculture portfolio. The acquisition follows a long-standing partnership and aims to support sustainable and precision farming practices using innovative Decision Support Systems.

Scale indicators24 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lanxess: German specialty chemicals company with overlapping portfolios in additives, performance chemicals, and intermediates; competes with BASF across multiple Industrial Solutions and Materials adjacencies.
• Dow Inc. US-listed global chemicals producer with overlapping portfolios in basic and performance chemicals, materials, and industrial intermediates; competes head-to-head with BASF in many commodity and specialty chemical markets worldwide.
• LyondellBasell Industries: Global polyolefins and chemicals major with comparable Verbund-style integrated production assets; directly competes with BASF in petrochemicals, polymers, and intermediates.
• Evonik Industries: German specialty chemicals company operating adjacent specialty additives, nutrition, and care chemical businesses that overlap with BASF's Nutrition & Care and Industrial Solutions segments; co-signed the EU ETS reform letter.
• Covestro: German-based materials producer focused on polyurethanes, polycarbonates, and coatings raw materials; competes directly with BASF in materials and surface technologies, and joined the same EU ETS reform coalition.
• DuPont de Nemours: US specialty chemicals and materials company with overlapping electronics, construction, and industrial chemical offerings; competes with BASF in materials and electronic/semiconductor chemical adjacencies.
• SABIC: Saudi-based global chemicals producer with comparable petrochemicals, polymers, and specialty offerings; a direct BASF competitor in commodity and performance chemicals worldwide.
• INEOS Group: European-headquartered chemicals conglomerate competing with BASF in petrochemicals, olefins, and specialty intermediates; co-signed the EU ETS reform letter demanding relief for energy-intensive industries.

Broad incumbents

• China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec): State-owned Chinese chemicals and energy major representing one of the coal-based competitors BASF's Zhanjiang Verbund is explicitly designed to outperform on CO2 footprint; a broad incumbent in the same chemicals value chain.

Emerging players

• Mitsubishi Chemical Group: Japanese diversified chemicals company overlapping with BASF in performance polymers, advanced materials, and specialty chemicals; competes with BASF particularly in Asia-Pacific electronics and battery material adjacencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BASF
• Facebookfacebook.com/basf.apac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A45 records

Investments13 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BASF