BASF

BASF (Baden Aniline and Soda Factory) is the largest chemical company in the world, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF is a major manufacturer of oil, gas, chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals.c

Product Categories

Chemicals: Inorganics, petrochemicals, intermediates
Plastics: Performance polymers, polyurethanes
Performance Products: Dispersions and pigments, care chemicals, nutrition and health, paper chemicals, performance chemicals
Functional Solutions: Catalysts, construction chemicals, coatings
Agricultural Solutions: Crop protection
Oil and Gasc

BASF Timeline

1865: Founded as stock corporation Badische Anilin- & Soda-Fabrik on April 6.

1868: BASF hires the chemist Heinrich Caro as head of research. Caro synthesizes the first successful natural dye the following year.
1873: BASF merges with dye merchants Knosp and Siegle. Production facilities and offices open in New York.

1876: Caro synthesizes the first blue dye for cotton and indigo is discovered by chemist Adolf von Baeyer four years later.

1901: Rene Bohn, chemist, discovers a new blue dye, surpassing indigo in colorfastness and light-fastness.c

1910: Chemist Alwin Mittasch discovers the ideal catalyst for synthesizing ammonia - activated iron.

1912: BASF sets up the first materials testing lab in the chemical industry.

1913: The ammonia synthesis plant produces nitrogen fertilizers.
1923: Matthias Pier synthesizes methanol.c

1925: BASF is absorbed into IG Farben as a result of the war.

1927: The first shipment of gasoline derived from goal is exported.

1929: The synthesis of styrene begins the plastics era.
1933: The Nazi party takes control over BASF.
1945: At the end of the war, Ludwigshafen site buildings are damaged or destroyed.c
1945 to 1948: BASF is reconstructed.
1958: BASF and Dow Chemical form Dow Badische Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas.

1961: Floranid, the first synthetic organic slow-release fertilizer is launched.c
1969: BASF buys oil and gas company Wintershall.
1989: An environmental monitoring center in Ludwigshafen opens.
1991: An ecology laboratory in Ludwigshafen opens.

2006: BASF acquires Engelhard Corporation, USA in June, the biggest takeover in the company's history, making BASF a worldwide leading supplier in the catalytic converter market.c