BASF Report 2022

Statement of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities amounted to €7,709 million, compared with €7,245 million in the previous year. The improvement was primarily due to lower cash tied up in net working capital as well as to higher depreciation and amortization. Net income declined by €6,150 million year on year to –€627 million. The loss is mainly attribut­able to the negative equity-accounted earnings contribution from Wintershall Dea AG (–€4,853 million), which is eliminated as a noncash effect in miscellaneous items. Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets was €514 million above the prior-year figure.

The €935 million decrease in cash tied up in net working capital in 2022 is partly due to the reduction in trade accounts receivable, which had increased significantly in the previous year. In addition, less cash was tied up in inventories in the year under review than in 2021. Dividend payments from shareholdings accounted for using the equity method and other shareholdings recognized under other receivables rose by €946 million. By contrast, the reduction in other provisions led to an outflow of cash. In particular, bonus payments to employees in 2022 were significantly higher than in the previous year. Moreover, the increase in trade accounts payable in the year under review was not as strong as in the previous year.

Cash flows from investing activities totaled –€3,778 million in 2022, after –€2,622 million in the previous year. Payments made for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets rose by €843 million to €4,375 million, mainly due to investments in the new Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. Payments received from divestitures in the amount of €691 million resulted primarily from the sale of shares in the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm and the sale of the kaolin minerals business. These were partially offset by cash outflows of €13 million for a subsequent purchase price adjustment from the acquisition of Solvay’s polyamide business. In 2021, payments received for divestitures amounted to €1,030 million and mainly related to the sale of the global pigments business. An off­setting effect in 2021 was the €600 million payment made for the acquisi­tion of 51% of BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd. In addition, the sale of our shares in Solenis led to cash inflows in the previous year.

Cash flows from financing activities amounted to –€4,013 mil­lion. In addition to the payment of dividends in the amount of €3,248 million (2021: €3,312 million), BASF bought back own shares worth €1,325 million. This was partially offset by net additions to financial and similar liabilities of €565 million (2021: net disposal of €3,145 million).

Free cash flow, which remains after deducting payments made for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets from cash flows from operating activities, represents the financial resources remaining after investments. It amounted to €3,333 million in 2022 after €3,713 million in the previous year.

Statement of cash flows (Million €)

 

2022

2021

Net income

–627

5,523

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

4,200

3,687

Changes in net working capital

–632

–1,566

Miscellaneous items

4,767

–398

Cash flows from operating activities

7,709

7,245

 

 

 

Payments made for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

–4,375

–3,532

Acquisitions/divestitures

678

430

Changes in financial assets and miscellaneous items

–81

480

Cash flows from investing activities

–3,778

–2,622

 

 

 

Capital increases/repayments and other equity transactions

–1,331

Changes in financial and similar liabilities

565

–3,145

Dividends

–3,248

–3,312

Cash flows from financing activities

–4,013

–6,457

 

 

 

Cash-effective changes in cash and cash equivalents

–83

–1,834

Changes in cash and cash equivalents from foreign exchange rates and changes in the scope of consolidation

–25

123

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

2,624

4,335

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

2,516

2,624

Free cash flow (Million €)

 

2022

2021

Cash flows from operating activities

7,709

7,245

– Payments made for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

4,375

3,532

Free cash flow

3,333

3,713

Cash flow

Billion €

Cash flow (bar chart)
Verbund
In the BASF Verbund, plants are intelligently connected. In this system, chemical processes consume less energy, produce higher product yields and conserve resources. The by-products of one plant serve as feedstock elsewhere, creating efficient value chains\_– from basic chemicals to high value-added solutions such as coatings or crop protection products. Our Verbund concept – realized in production, technologies, the market and digitalization – enables innovative solutions for a sustainable future.

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