Who we are
Responsibility – For a Sustainable Future
We create chemistry for a sustainable future.
This is BASF’s mission statement. Each of the three pillars of sustainability – society, environment and economy – has a tradition at BASF, but they differ in duration.
Sustainability is the model of the 21st century. Since 1994, it has been the focus of BASF’s business activities. Thus, it combines economic success, social responsibility, and environmental protection. First approaches can be identified early on for each of these three pillars – sometimes more, sometimes less and in each case, depending on socio-economic conditions.
Long-term economic success is a business necessity but, as such, it is far from being a matter of course. The correct strategic decisions must be made. At BASF, for example, the development of its own research organization at a very early stage. The company assumes responsibility in the social sphere early on. Even before the first social welfare legislation, BASF grants employee benefits in the 19th century. However, it is some time before BASF becomes involved in environmental protection. It only becomes active from the 1960s, influenced by the environmental movement.