BASF: the leading chemical company.

Basf is the world's leading chemical company, with approximately 81,000 employees worldwide and sales of more than pounds 42.7bn in 2005.

Its products, sold in more than 170 countries, range from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas.

BASF's intelligent system solutions and high-value products help customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. It develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future.

BASF has been successfully shaping the future for more than 140 years, and 2005 was its best year, with sales increasing by 14%, costs reduced significantly, and the successful start of operations at a new site in Nanjing, China. This joint venture with a Chinese partner, Sinopec, is the largest single investment in BASF's history.

In 2005, it acquired Merck's electronic chemicals business, purchased the fine chemicals company Orgamol, and sold its share in the polyolefins producer Basell.

By investing in the development of Siberian gas fieelds and in the construction of the North European Gas Pipeline with partner Gazprom, BASF is creating additional growth potential and helping to ensure long-term energy supplies to Europe.

Research and development expenditure is being increased.

Between 2006 and 2008, BASF plans to invest pounds 800m developing new business opportunities in five growth clusters: energy management, raw materials change, nanotechnology, plant biotechnology and white (industrial) biotechnology.