BASF Agricultural Solutions plans to change production network of glufosinate-ammonium
- Production at Knapsack and Frankfurt sites expected to stop by 2024/2025
- BASF to continue offering customers best in class glufosinate-ammonium solutions
BASF plans to cease production of the active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium (GA) at the Knapsack and Frankfurt sites in Germany by the end of 2024 due to economic reasons. The GA formulation in Frankfurt will end in 2025. Subsequently, both production facilities will be shut down. Glufosinate-ammonium remains a key component of BASF’s global herbicide portfolio.
BASF’s GA production is increasingly affected by rising competition from generic manufacturers, alternative technologies as well as high energy and raw material costs. Despite both production facilities achieving cost reductions, BASF’s volume and profitability development is insufficient. BASF is therefore restructuring its production network and will source the active ingredient from third-party suppliers in the future. In doing so, the company is securing its long-term competitiveness and profitability in the GA market.
All jobs (approximately 300) will be retained until the end of 2025, and then gradually reduced in consultation with employee representatives. The company will work closely with the employees to assist in finding future employment opportunities.
“We deeply regret having to discontinue production at the two sites despite the high commitment of our employees over the past years,” said Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors at BASF. “We remain committed to providing our customers with top-quality GA solutions. At the same time, we will continue to focus on the development of next-generation GA solutions that achieve the same results with significantly lower application rates, benefiting farmers in the Americas and Asia.”
The active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium is one of the most widely used broad-spectrum herbicides and controls weeds in a vatiety of crops worldwide.
About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €900 million in 2023, we continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.
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