Agricultural Solutions 3rd Quarter 2018 The Agricultural Solutions segment posted considerable sales growth compared with the third quarter of 2017. This was attributable to portfolio effects from the acquisition of significant businesses and assets from Bayer in August 2018, a higher price level and slightly stronger volumes. Negative currency effects continued to weigh on sales development. Factors influencing sales, Agricultural Solutions 3rd quarter 2018 Sales declined slightly in Europe, mainly as a result of lower sales volumes for herbicides and fungicides following the extreme weather conditions and long dry period in central and western Europe in particular. In North America, sales considerably exceeded the prior-year figure. This was primarily due to portfolio effects from the acquired businesses as well as to a higher price level. Sales in Asia were up slightly year on year as a result of positive portfolio effects and higher prices. Sales growth was tempered by negative currency effects. The region South America, Africa, Middle East posted considerable sales gains. This was mainly driven by higher prices and sales volumes, particularly for fungicides and insecticides. The acquired businesses contributed to the increase in sales. Negative currency effects had an offsetting impact. Despite the seasonally strongly negative results of the businesses acquired from Bayer, income from operations before special items was down only €26 million on the prior-year quarter. Income generated by BASF operations excluding Bayer activities rose considerably compared with the third quarter of 2017. Excluding the negative currency effects, EBIT before special items also increased slightly overall. (XLS:) Download Segment data Agricultural Solutions (million €) 3rd quarter January–September 2018 2017 Change in % 2018 2017 Change in % 1 Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including impairments and reversals of impairments) 2 Additions to intangible assets and property, plant and equipment Sales to third parties 1,243 987 26 4,472 4,368 2 Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 79 85 (7) 881 1,016 (13) Amortization and depreciation1 118 65 82 244 195 25 Income from operations (EBIT) (39) 20 . 637 821 (22) Special items (34) (1) . (59) (5) . EBIT before special items (5) 21 . 696 826 (16) Assets (September 30) 15,625 7,454 110 15,625 7,454 110 Investments including acquisitions2 7,152 35 . 7,229 121 . Research and development expenses 181 124 46 424 362 17 back next