Compensation of the Board of Executive Directors

The compensation of the Board of Executive Directors is determined by the company’s size, complexity and financial position, as well as the performance of the Board of Executive Directors as a whole. It is designed to promote sustainable corporate development and ensure a pronounced variability in relation to the performance of the Board of Executive Directors and the BASF Group’s success. The external and internal appropriateness of the Board’s compensation is reviewed by an independent external auditor on a regular basis. DAX companies in Germany and globally operating companies in the rest of Europe¹ serve as an external reference. For internal comparison, the compensation of senior executives and employees of BASF SE is considered in total as well as over time.

Based on a proposal by the Personnel Committee, the Supervisory Board determines the structure and amount of compensation of members of the Board of Executive Directors.

In 2019, the Supervisory Board engaged an independent external compensation consultant with an appropriateness review. The results of the appropriateness review revealed that the compensation granted to BASF’s Board of Executive Directors was within market range for the peer group (horizontal comparison). An assessment of the compensation of an ordinary member of the Board of Executive Directors in relation to the compensation paid to the company’s employees and senior executives (vertical comparison) did not provide any indications of inappropriate compensation, nor did an assessment of its development over time.

1. Fixed salary

The fixed salary is a set amount of yearly compensation paid out in equal installments. It is regularly reviewed by the Supervisory Board and adjusted, when appropriate.

The annual fixed salary for an ordinary member of the Board of Executive Directors has been €800,000 since January 1, 2017. The fixed salary for the chairman of the Board of Executive Directors is two times the value for an ordinary Board member, and 1.33 times this value for the vice chairman.

2. Performance bonus

The performance bonus is based on the performance of the Board of Executive Directors as a whole and the return on capital employed (ROCE) of the BASF Group. ROCE is also the key performance indicator for the variable compensation of all employees. The target ROCE for the variable compensation is one percentage point above the cost of capital percentage for the fiscal year, which is determined using the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) approach in accordance with the Capital Asset Pricing Model. This target reflects the strategic goal of achieving a ROCE considerably above the cost of capital percentage every year, even if the capital structure and interest rate level change over time. The target value is thus directly linked to the return expected by investors, which also serves as orientation for the BASF Group’s value-based management as a whole.

For each fiscal year, a member of the Board of Executive Directors is entitled to a performance bonus with a four-year performance period. After the first year of this four-year performance period, the performance bonus (gross) is determined based on the achievement of operational targets (operational performance factor, OPF) and strategic targets (strategic performance factor, SPF) as well as the ROCE (ROCE factor). 50% of the amount is paid out after the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in the following year (performance bonus, part 1).

The remaining 50% is deferred for another three years and is not immediately payable (deferral component). The final amount of the deferral component is determined depending on the degree to which the strategic targets were achieved within the four-year performance period (strategic performance factor, SPF) and is paid out after the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in the year following the end of this four-year performance period (performance bonus, part 2).

Target agreement and evaluation

Schematic overview: performance bonus, part 1

Schematic overview: performance bonus, part 2

The Board of Executive Directors’ target agreement contains operational and strategic objectives. The operational targets (primarily earnings, financial, investment and operational excellence targets) cover the company’s short-term financial performance. The strategic targets relate to BASF’s medium and long-term development on the basis of the corporate strategy. They comprise targets for growth, portfolio optimization, investment and R&D strategy, digitalization, sustainability and the BASF corporate values.

The achievement of operational and strategic targets is evaluated separately. The amount of the performance bonus thus takes into account the Board of Executive Directors’ performance for both the short-term and long-term success of the company.

Determination of performance factors

An operational performance factor and a strategic performance factor, each with a value between 0 and 1.5, are determined on the basis of the target achievement ascertained by the Supervisory Board. A target achievement rate of 100% equates to a value of 1.0 for the performance factor. The maximum performance factor of 1.5 applies for a target achievement rate of 125% and over; a target achievement rate of 50% or less represents a performance factor of 0.

Target achievement and performance factor

Determination of the ROCE factor

The ROCE of the particular fiscal year serves as the key performance indicator for the success of the company when determining the performance bonus. ROCE is the ratio of income from operations (EBIT) of the segments in relation to the average operating assets of the segments, plus the customer and supplier financing not included there.

A ROCE factor is assigned to each relevant ROCE value. If the ROCE is two percentage points or more below the target ROCE, the ROCE factor will decline at a faster rate. The ROCE factor will increase at a slower rate if the ROCE is two percentage points or more above the target ROCE.

ROCE factor

The ROCE factor is 1.0 if the ROCE achieved in the fiscal year is one percentage point above the weighted cost of capital percentage (based on the weighted average cost of capital, WACC, in accordance with the Capital Asset Pricing Model) for that year, meaning an appropriate premium on the cost of capital was earned. In calculating ROCE, adjustments are made for negative and positive special items resulting from acquisitions and divestitures (for example, integration costs in connection with acquisitions and gains or losses from the divestiture of businesses) when these exceed a corridor of plus or minus 1% of the average cost of capital basis. An adjustment of the ROCE (in the first 12 months after closing) therefore only occurs in cases of exceptionally high special items resulting from acquisitions and divestitures.

If the target ROCE is met and the target achievement is 100%, the performance bonus is double the fixed salary (target amount).

The Supervisory Board sets a maximum amount for the performance bonus (cap). The current total cap is €2,500,000 for an ordinary member of the Board of Executive Directors (performance bonus, part 1 and performance bonus, part 2). The maximum amount for the chairman of the Board of Executive Directors is two times this value, and 1.33 times this value for the vice chairman.

Target agreement and target achievement in 2019

The performance bonus (gross) for 2019 was determined on the basis of target achievement as ascertained by the Supervisory Board and ROCE for the 2019 business year.

Operational performance factor (OPF₂₀₁₉):

The comparison of operational targets (see BASF Report 2018, Outlook 2019) with target achievement, taking into account the economic environment forecast at the beginning of the year and actual economic conditions, resulted in an operational performance factor (OPF₂₀₁₉) of 0.9:

• Sales did not meet the target of slight growth, mainly from higher sales volumes and portfolio effects.
• The target for EBIT before special items (slight increase) was not met.
• The target of generating a strong free cash flow as a basis for increasing the dividend was met.

In determining the operational performance factor, the Supervisory Board took into account the fact that only 50% of its expectations for the economic environment at the time the 2019 budget was adopted (see BASF Report 2018, Forecast) were fulfilled.

Strategic performance factor (SPF₂₀₁₉):

Overall, the strategic targets were reached in 2019, resulting in a strategic performance factor (SPF₂₀₁₉) of 1.0:

• The volumes growth and Accelerator sales targets were not met.
• The employee engagement target was met despite comprehensive restructuring and portfolio measures.
• The targets on the share of investment in emerging markets, portfolio restructuring, leveraging synergies, and CO₂ equivalent emissions were exceeded.

For the 2018 performance bonus period (2018–2021), a strategic performance factor of 1.1 was determined in 2019 for the deferral component based on the targets agreed in 2018.

ROCE factor 2019:

The BASF Group’s ROCE, which is used to determine compensation, was 7.7% in 2019. The target ROCE for 2019 was 11%, with the average cost of capital unchanged at 10%. Accordingly, the ROCE factor for 2019 was 0.6375.

Performance bonus (gross) for a full-year ordinary member of the Board of Executive Directors

3. Long-term, share price-based incentive program (LTI program)

An LTI program exists for members of the Board of Executive Directors. It is also offered to all other senior executives of the BASF Group, with a small number of modifications. To take part in the program, each participant must prove an individual investment in BASF shares and hold the shares for this purpose for a defined period of time (holding period). The individual investment can amount to a maximum of 30% of the participant’s performance bonus (gross) for the previous year. The members of the Board of Executive Directors are obligated to invest at least 10% of their individual performance bonus (gross) for the previous year in the LTI program each year (share ownership obligation). This mandatory investment is subject to a holding period of four years. For any further additional voluntary investment of up to 20% of the performance bonus (gross) for the previous year, the general holding period of two years applies.

Four options are granted for each BASF share brought into the LTI program as an individual investment. After a four-year vesting period, there is a four-year exercise period during which the members of the Board of Executive Directors can exercise these options if performance thresholds are met. During the exercise period, the exercising of options is prohibited during certain periods (closed periods). Each member of the Board of Executive Directors can individually decide on the timing and extent of the exercising of options. Once the options are exercised, the computed value of the options is paid out in cash (cash settlement).

Each option consists of right A (absolute performance threshold) and right B (relative performance threshold), whose value is determined by different performance targets. At least one of the two conditions must be met in order for the option to be exercised:

• Performance threshold, right A: BASF share price increases at least 30% compared with the base price on the option grant date for the LTI program concerned. The value of right A is calculated as the difference between the market price of BASF shares on the exercise date and the base price on the option grant date. It is limited to 100% of the base price (cap). The base price for an LTI program is the volume-weighted average share price in Deutsche Börse AG’s electronic trading system (Xetra) on the first trading day after the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of BASF SE in the year in which the LTI program is granted. The base price for the LTI program granted in 2019 was €68.21 (2018: €85.45).
• Performance threshold, right B: The cumulative percentage performance of the BASF share exceeds that of the MSCI World Chemicals Index (outperformance) and the price of the BASF share on the exercise date equals at least the base price. The value of right B is calculated as the base price of the option multiplied by twice the outperformance of BASF shares on the exercise date. It is limited to the closing price on the date of exercise minus the computed nominal value of BASF shares.

In total, the maximum exercise gain (cap) is limited to five times the individual investment and can amount to a maximum of €3,750,000 for an ordinary member of the Board of Executive Directors. The maximum amount for the chairman of the Board of Executive Directors is two times the maximum value for an ordinary Board member, and 1.33 times this value for the vice chairman.

Due to the multiple-year exercise period, it can occur that exercise gains from several LTI program years accumulate inside of one year; there can also be years without any exercise gains.

4. Nonmonetary compensation and other additional compensation (fringe benefits)

Members of the Board of Executive Directors receive various fringe benefits in addition to the abovementioned cash compensation. Fringe benefits include delegation allowances, accident insurance premiums, transportation and benefits from the provision of security measures by the company. The fringe benefits granted by the company are subject to specific provisions and thereby also limited in its amount.

The members of the Board of Executive Directors are covered by a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (D&O insurance) concluded by the company. This policy provides for the level of deductibles for the Board of Executive Directors as prescribed by section 93(2) sentence 3 of the German Stock Corporation Act.

5. Company pension benefits

As part of the pension benefits granted to the Board of Executive Directors (Board Performance Pension), company pension benefits are intended to accrue annual pension units, the amount of which depends on the company’s success and the performance of the Board of Executive Directors as a whole in the business year concerned. The method used to determine the amount of the pension benefits generally corresponds to that used for all other senior executives of the BASF Group in Germany. The annual pension benefits accruing to Board members in a given reporting year (pension unit) are composed of a fixed and a variable component. The fixed component is calculated by multiplying the annual fixed salary above the social security contribution ceiling by 32% (fixed pension component).

The variable component of the pension unit is the result of multiplying the fixed pension component with a performance factor based on the relevant ROCE in the reporting year concerned, as well as the performance factors relevant to the performance bonus (variable pension component).

The amount resulting from the fixed and the variable pension component is converted into a pension unit (lifelong pension) using actuarial factors (annuity conversion factor). The currently applied annuity conversion factor is based on an actuarial interest rate of 5%, the probability of death, invalidity and bereavement according to Heubeck Richttafeln, 2005G (modified) and an assumed pension increase (at least 1% each year).

The sum of the pension units accumulated over the reporting years determines the respective Board member’s pension benefit in the event of a claim.

This is the amount that is payable on retirement, disability or death. Pension benefits fall due at the end of service on reaching the age of 60 (for members first appointed to the Board of Executive Directors after January 1, 2017: on reaching the age of 63), or on account of disability or death. Pension payments are reviewed on a regular basis and adjusted by at least 1% each year. Members of the Board of Executive Directors have the option to choose between payment of their pension entitlements in the form of a lifelong pension or a lump sum. The amount of the lump-sum payment is calculated by capitalizing the annual pension entitlement accrued as of the end of the service period as a member of the Board of Executive Directors.

The pension units also include survivor benefits. Upon the death of an active or former member of the Board of Executive Directors, the surviving spouse receives a survivor pension amounting to 60% of the Board member’s pension entitlement. The orphan pension amounts to 10% for each half-orphan, 33% for an orphan, 25% each for two orphans and 20% each for three or more orphans of the pension entitlement of the deceased (former) Board member. Total survivor benefits may not exceed 75% of the Board member’s pension entitlement. If the survivor pensions exceed the upper limit, they will be proportionately reduced.

Board members are members of the BASF Pensionskasse VVaG, as are generally all employees of BASF SE. Contributions and benefits are determined by the Statutes of the BASF Pensionskasse VVaG and the General Conditions of Insurance.

Withholding and clawback clause

A withholding and clawback clause was introduced as of January 1, 2018, for the performance bonus and the LTI program for all members of the Board of Executive Directors. In the event that a Board member commits a serious infringement of the Code of Conduct of BASF Group or of the duty of care as a member of the management of the company, this provision allows for a reduction or cancellation of not yet paid variable compensation as well as the clawback of variable compensation paid out since January 1, 2018.

The tables below show the granted and allocated compensation as well as service cost of each member of the Board of Executive Directors in accordance with section 4.2.5(3) of the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC) in the version dated February 7, 2017.

Compensation granted in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC)

The table “Compensation granted in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC)” shows: fixed salary, fringe benefits, performance bonus, LTI program measured at fair value as of the grant date and service cost. The individual compensation components are supplemented by individually attainable minimum and maximum compensation.

Furthermore, a reconciliation statement for total compensation to be reported is provided below the table “Compensation granted in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC)” due to the disclosures required by section 314(1) no. 6a of the German Commercial Code (HGB) in connection with the German Accounting Standard 17 (GAS 17).

Compensation allocated in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC)

The “Compensation allocated in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC)” presented comprises the fixed and variable compensation components actually allocated, plus the service cost calculated for each member of the Board of Executive Directors in the reporting years even though this does not actually represent payment in the narrower sense.

The table below shows the options granted to the Board of Executive Directors on July 1 of both reporting years.

In 2019, the option rights granted resulted in an expense. This expense refers to the total of all option rights from the LTI programs 2011 to 2019 and is calculated as the difference in the fair value of the option rights on December 31, 2019, compared with the fair value on December 31, 2018, considering the option rights exercised and granted in 2019. The fair value of the option rights is based primarily on the development of the BASF share price and its relative performance compared with the benchmark index, the MSCI World Chemicals Index.

The expenses reported below are purely accounting figures that do not equate with the actual gains should options be exercised. Each member of the Board of Executive Directors may decide individually on the timing and scope of the exercise of options of the LTI programs, while taking into account the terms and conditions of the program.

The outstanding option rights held by the members of the Board of Executive Directors resulted in the following expenses in 2019: Dr. Martin Brudermüller: expense of €464 thousand (2018: income of €4,170 thousand); Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel: expense of €339 thousand (2018: income of €3,821 thousand); Saori Dubourg: expense of €66 thousand (2018: expense of €12 thousand); Sanjeev Gandhi: expense of €790 thousand (2018: income of €185 thousand); Michael Heinz: expense of €334 thousand (2018: income of €2,636 thousand); Dr. Markus Kamieth: expense of €124 thousand (2018: expense of €13 thousand); Wayne T. Smith: expense of €298 thousand (2018: income of €1,602 thousand).

The values for service cost incurred in 2019 contain service cost for BASF Pensionskasse VVaG and for the Board Performance Pension. Service cost for the members of the Board of Executive Directors is shown individually in the tables “Compensation granted in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC)” and “Compensation allocated in accordance with the German Corporate Governance Code (GCGC).”

The present value of pension benefits (defined benefit obligation) is an accounting figure for the entitlements that the Board members have accumulated in their years of service at BASF. The table below shows the defined benefit obligations for the pension entitlements accrued until the end of 2019 (as of December 31 in each case).

In the event that a member of the Board of Executive Directors appointed before 2017 retires from employment before the age of 60, either because their appointment was not extended or was revoked for an important reason, they are entitled to pension benefits if they have served on the Board for at least 10 years or if the period until they reach legal retirement age is less than 10 years. The company is entitled to offset compensation received for any other employment against pension benefits until the legal retirement age is reached.

The following applies to end of service due to a change of control event: A change of control event, in terms of this provision, occurs when a shareholder informs BASF of a shareholding of at least 25%, or the increase of such a holding. If a Board member’s appointment is revoked within one year of a change of control event, the Board member will receive the contractually agreed payments for the remaining contractual term of office as a one-off payment (fixed salary and annual variable target compensation). The Board member may also receive the fair value of the option rights acquired in connection with the LTI program within a period of three months or may continue to hold the existing rights under the terms of the program. For the determination of the accrued pension benefits from the Board Performance Pension, the time up to the regular expiry of office is taken into consideration.

There is a general limit on severance pay (severance payment cap) for all Board members. Accordingly, payments made to a Board member upon premature termination of their contract, without serious cause, may not exceed the value of two years’ compensation, including fringe benefits, nor compensate more than the remaining term of the contract. The severance payment cap is to be calculated on the basis of the total compensation for the past business year and, if appropriate, also the expected total compensation for the current business year. If the appointment to the Board of Executive Directors is prematurely terminated as the result of a change of control event, the payments may not exceed 150% of the severance compensation cap.

Sanjeev Gandhi stepped down from the Board of Executive Directors effective the end of December 31, 2019. Based on the termination agreement, non-compete compensation of €164,583 per month was agreed for a two-year, post-contractual non-compete obligation. Sanjeev Gandhi must have any other earnings deducted from this amount if the non-compete compensation and other earnings exceed €320,000 gross per month. The same also applies if the non-compete compensation and the other earnings together exceed a total of €7,680,000 gross within 24 months.

Against the background of the new BASF corporate strategy and the changed regulatory requirements under the German Act Implementing the Second E.U. Shareholder Rights Directive (ARUG II), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, and the new version of the GCGC, the Supervisory Board resolved in its meeting on December 19, 2019, to amend the existing compensation system for the Board of Executive Directors. The changes to the compensation system are to become effective as of January 1, 2020, for all current members of the Board of Executive Directors and will be submitted for approval to the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on April 30, 2020, in accordance with section 120a(1) of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG).

The amendments to the compensation system for the Board of Executive Directors relate to the following components:

• One-year variable compensation/short-term incentive (STI): The previous one-year component of the performance bonus program (performance bonus, part 1) will be continued in the form of an STI. Like the performance bonus, part 1, it will be based on the achievement of operational and strategic targets as well as the return on capital employed (ROCE) for the fiscal year, which is also relevant for the compensation of all employees.
• Multiple-year variable compensation/long-term incentive (LTI): The previous performance bonus, part 2, which was granted for multiple years (three-year deferral component), and the long-term share price-based compensation program will be replaced by a new LTI in the form of a performance share plan with growth, profitability and sustainability targets taken directly from the corporate strategy. An LTI plan with a term of four years will be granted for each fiscal year. The amount paid out depends on the achievement of strategic targets and the development of the total shareholder return (share price and dividends) over the four-year performance period.
• Company pension benefits: The previous performance pension, which was structured as a defined contribution plan, will be replaced by a new pension model. The members of the Board of Executive Directors can choose between a defined contribution plan with fixed annual contributions or a pension allowance of the same amount.
• Share ownership obligation (share ownership guideline): The individual investment in BASF shares required under the previous LTI program will be discontinued. In the future, members of the Board of Executive Directors will have an individual share ownership obligation that requires them to hold a given number of BASF shares during the term of their Board membership and for a limited period of time thereafter. The current members of the Board of Excecutive Directors already held a large number of shares prior to the date the share ownership obligation came into force.

The previous withholding and clawback clause for the STI and LTI programs remains unchanged.

A comprehensive explanation of the amendments to the compensation system for the Board of Executive Directors will be published with the invitation to the 2020 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.

Total compensation for previous Board members and their surviving dependents amounted to €11.5 million in 2019 (2018: minus €5.5 million). This figure also contains payments that previous Board members have themselves financed through the deferred compensation program, as well as the expense for 2019 relating to option rights that previous members of the Board still hold from the time of their active service period. The increase in total compensation was due to the fair value measurement of these option rights, which generated total expenses of €0.6 million in 2019. This generated income of €16.1 million in 2018, mainly due to the lower accounting valuation of the option rights due to the lower share price.

Option rights that have not yet been exercised on retirement are to be continued under the conditions of the program including the associated holding period to emphasize that the compensation for the Board of Executive Directors is geared to sustainability.

Pension provisions for previous Board members and their surviving dependents amounted to €198.2 million (2018: €159.5 million).