Regions

Q1 2022

Sales at companies located in Europe were 22.8% above the prior-year quarter. The sales increase was largely attributable to significantly higher price levels, primarily in the Chemicals and Materials segments. Slightly higher volumes contributed to sales growth. This was partially offset by negative portfolio effects, particularly in the Industrial Solutions segment following the sale of the pigments business. Currency effects had a slightly negative impact on sales.

In North America, sales rose by 12.9% in euros and by 5.1% in local currency terms compared with the first quarter of 2021. Sales performance was driven by positive currency effects. Higher prices, particularly in the Materials and Chemicals segments, also supported sales growth. This more than compensated for lower precious metal prices in the Surface Technologies segment. Negative portfolio effects, especially in the Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care segments following the sale of the pigments business and the production site in Kankakee, Illinois, reduced sales in the region. Lower volumes, mainly in the Surface Technologies segment, also reduced sales slightly.

Compared with the prior-year quarter, sales in the Asia Pacific region rose by 17.8% in euros and by 11.2% in local currency terms. The increase in sales in the region was primarily attributable to growth in Greater China, where sales rose by 22.0% in euros to €3,231 million. Sales performance was mainly driven by higher prices in all segments. Currency effects also had a positive impact on sales. Portfolio effects in the Surface Technologies segment from the acquisition of a majority shareholding in BASF Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd. contributed significantly to the sales increase. Sales were negatively impacted by lower sales volumes overall, especially in the Surface Technologies segment.

Sales in the region South America, Africa, Middle East were also higher year on year, rising by 32.8% in euros and by 22.8% in local currency terms. This was mainly due to higher prices and positive currency effects in all segments. In addition, significantly higher volumes supported sales performance in the region, especially in the Agricultural Solutions and Nutrition & Care segments.