BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF’s high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has approximately 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion in 2006. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).

The integrated network principle, the "Verbund", is instrumental in BASF's success and it imparts an unmistakable identity to the corporation.

At BASF's Verbund sites, the various plants are skillfully integrated with each other. This translates into a more efficient and resource-saving utilization of raw materials and energy in all chemical processes. Moreover, transportation distances are kept to a minimum, while the logistics and infrastructure are jointly employed to great advantage. The synergistic effects in the Verbund help save the environment and save money as well - some € 500 million per year in Ludwigshafen alone.

By managing know-how according to the Verbund principle, BASF is enhancing its innovative power and can respond quickly and flexibly to the requirements made by the markets and by its customers. BASF considers its business partners and the social environment around it to be partners in the Verbund.