Who we are

Success Factors – Strategic Decisions

What has made BASF successful for more than 150 years? The Verbund as its characteristic strength in any case. But also, an early consistent orientation towards research and customer relations. Access to its own resources completes the top four long-term success factors.

Formula for Innovation

Initially, BASF only has products in its portfolio created using foreign procedures other than its own. However, growing competition soon leads to new considerations and Heinrich Caro (1834–1910) is hired as Research Director in 1868. A research strategy focusing on innovation is also implemented. It results in an increasing number of patent filed by BASF. Among BASF's major achievements are the synthesis of indigo (1897) as well as ammonia (1913). For the latter, Carl Bosch (1874–1940) is awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1931. Research has been and still is what makes BASF successful. Today, BASF is one of the world's most innovative companies.

Milestones in BASF Research History

Replenishments Are Provided

Whether coal or oil and gas – a long-term secure supply of raw materials and energy is not only essential for BASF today. Therefore, BASF joins the coal mine Auguste Victoria in Marl, Germany. With the conversion to petrochemicals, BASF takes over Wintershall AG, one of Germany’s oldest German oil and gas producers, in 1969. The year 1990 marks the start of Wintershall’s cooperation with the Russian gas company Gazprom.

From Customer to Partner

Whether major customer, medium-sized enterprise or craft business – customer proximity is a key component of BASF’s success beyond the purely regional aspect. Building up a worldwide sales organization is started in 1873 as it is essential for close customer contact. In addition, BASF establishes the precursor of its future technical applications department in 1891. Its task is advising customers worldwide. Over time, this leads to increasing customer orientation which quite frequently results into a development partnership with customers.

Intelligently Connected

Success factor, guiding theme and top export success – this is what Verbund is to BASF. Already part of its foundation in 1865, BASF develops its Production Verbund into a Verbund principle, especially after 1945. The idea of interlinking is gradually transferred from plants connected by product streams in a complex network of pipelines to other areas. Today, the Verbund principle extends beyond production and technology to embrace the interlinked know-how of BASF's employees.

When BASF is founded by Friedrich Engelhorn (1821–1902) in 1865, Engelhorn pursues an innovative idea: integrating all production stages at only one location. The Verbund principle is developed from this idea, which is behind the company’s foundation, at the headquarters in Ludwigshafen.

Three years after it is founded, BASF appoints Heinrich Caro (1834–1910) as its first Research Director to strengthen its own research activities. In the following years, an unparalleled research organization is born. BASF becomes known for a strategy based on innovation and even wins a Nobel Prize.

Application technology of BASF is founded in 1891 and involves more than mere contact with customers from the very beginning. Instead, it offers intensive support and advice which leads BASF to develop an explicit customer focus.

When BASF is founded, coal is the basis of the chemical industry. 100 years later the switch to petrochemicals is in full swing. In both cases, BASF secures its own raw materials.