Performance Chemicals

  • Sales growth of 2% to €3,896 million from higher volumes
  • Considerable decline in EBIT before special items due to lower margins

In the Performance Chemicals division, sales to third parties rose by €91 million to €3,896 million compared with 2016. This was due to higher sales volumes in all regions and businesses. Volumes growth led to higher sales, especially in the lubricant and mineral oil additive businesses as well as in plastic additives. Sales were also positively impacted by the recovery of the markets for oilfield and mining chemicals. Lower sales prices, particularly in Asia and South America, negative currency effects and the transfer of BASF’s leather chemicals business to the Stahl group reduced sales.

Performance Chemicals – Factors influencing sales
Performance Products – Chemicals – Factors influencing sales (bar chart)
Performance Chemicals – Sales by region (Location of customer)
Performance Products – Performance Chemicals – Sales by region (pie chart)

EBIT before special items declined considerably compared with the previous year. The softer margins resulting from higher raw materials prices were only partially offset by volumes growth and lower fixed costs.

We generated special income of €195 million from the transfer of BASF’s leather chemicals business to the Stahl group.