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
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
Factors influencing sales
EBITDA before special items
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.