BASF Explores Sustainability Initiatives

BASF Researching for Sustainability The chemical industry contributes significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through innovative processes and products. BASF researchers are already contributing to making the sustainability transition possible through their work. Current innovation examples from BASF's research lines focused on mobility and agriculture—such as innovative cooling fluids for electric vehicles or new precision application technologies for farming—were presented by Board Member Dr. Melanie Maas-Brunner at the company's Research Press Conference. Together with BASF scientists, Maas-Brunner, CTO of BASF SE, stated: "The transition to sustainability begins in research." Maas-Brunner commented: "To overcome the challenges of this transition even more rapidly and to succeed in the long term, we must further strengthen our customer proximity and leverage the advantages of our integrated Know-How Verbund." The company is reorganizing its global research activities in the coming year. Through this reorganization, research units and operating divisions are being aligned more closely with customer needs. In the future, BASF will bring together research activities related to various divisions in a central research department. BASF has also set its sustainability targets. The company is focusing on the development of CO₂-free processes and the circular economy. In addition, it is working to further accelerate the expansion of digitalization. At the same time, BASF is supporting its customers in the transition to sustainability. In 2020, BASF invested approximately EUR 2 billion in research and development.