Factbook

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, aerospace 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.

Divisions

Catalysts

Mobile emissions catalysts, chemical catalysts and adsorbents, refining catalysts, battery materials, precious and base metal products and services, precious metal trading, metals recycling, clean air technologies

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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

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An innovative surface film for aviation

With NovaFlex Sharkskin, BASF has developed a surface film that mimics the fine structure of a shark’s skin. The film optimizes the aerodynamics on flow-related parts of the aircraft, meaning that less fuel is needed and CO₂ emissions are reduced. Applying NovaFlex SharkSkin film to a Boeing 777-300 reduces the aerodynamic drag by more than 1%, avoiding 1,250 metric tons of CO₂ per aircraft per year. Using the technology at its highest expansion level could reduce CO₂ emissions by as much as 3%.

For more information on NovaFlex SharkSkin, see basf.com/sharkskin

Sales 2023

Factors influencing sales

EBITDA before special items

Segment data Surface Technologies

Million €	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Sales to third parties	16,204	21,283	22,659	16,659	13,142
Adjusted sales to third parties¹	8.626	8,947	6,933	–	–
Share of total BASF sales (%)	23.5	24.4	28.8	28.2	22.2
of which Catalysts	11,818	17,062	19,219	13,570	9,396
Coatings	4,387	4,220	3,440	3,089	3,746
Income from operations before depreciation, amortization and special items	1,520	1,464	1,277	966	1,173
EBIT before special items margin (%)	9.4	6.9	5.6	5.8	–
Adjusted EBITDA margin before special items¹ (%)	17.6	16.4	18.4	–	–
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)	1,351	1,264	1,243	900	1,120
EBITDA margin (%)	8.3	5.9	5.5	5.4	8.5
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items	938	902	800	484	722
Income from operations (EBIT)	366	612	761	–587	663
Segment cash flow (%)	1,488	61	–	–	–
Return on capital employed (ROCE) (%)	2.7	3.9	5.6	–4.8	5.7

1 Adjusted figures excluding sales in precious metal trading und precious metal sales in the automotive catalysts business have been reported since 2021.