9 – Minority interests

Minority interests in profits were lower in the first half of 2018 compared with the prior-year period, especially at BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals LLC, Port Arthur, Texas. This was primarily attributable to a significant decline in sales prices for ethylene. Shanghai BASF Polyurethane Company Ltd., Shanghai, China, recorded higher minority interests in profits, mainly due to higher TDI and MDI sales prices and margins.

Temporary shutdowns of a number of plants led to higher minority interests in losses than in the prior-year period at BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn. Bhd., Shah Alam, Malaysia.