International Raw Material Giant #1 — BASF: The World’s Largest Chemical Company

This is the first article in the ‘International Raw Material Giants’ series — and also the inaugural piece of the broader ‘Raw Material Giants’ series (which comprises two sub-series: ‘International Raw Material Giants’ and ‘Domestic Raw Material Giants’). Today, we explore BASF SE of Germany — founded in 1865, with a history spanning over 150 years — widely regarded as the world’s largest chemical company. BASF’s 2023 fiscal year financial report reveals sales of €68.9 billion, down 21.1% from €87.3 billion in the prior fiscal year. As of the end of the reporting period, the company employed 111,991 people globally. Its R&D expenditure totaled €2.1 billion (representing an R&D intensity of 3.05% — modest as a percentage but substantial in absolute value), while personnel costs amounted to €11 billion (16% of total sales). BASF Group’s business and product portfolio spans a broad range of sectors, organized into six major business segments: Chemicals; Materials; Industrial Solutions; Surface Technologies; Nutrition & Care; and Agricultural Solutions. Of these, the Nutrition & Care segment is most closely linked to cosmetics — supplying raw materials for personal care and home care products — and delivers formulations and solutions for consumer applications, including personal care, health, and nutrition products. ① Chemicals: Supplies basic chemicals and intermediates to other BASF business segments and third-party customers. ② Materials: Provides advanced materials and their precursors to the plastics and plastic processing industries. ③ Industrial Solutions: Develops and sells ingredients and additives for industrial applications. ④ Surface Technologies: Offers surface chemistry solutions, automotive coatings, battery materials, and catalysts. ⑤ Nutrition & Care: Supplies raw ingredients and solutions for consumer applications — e.g., nutrition and personal care. ⑥ Agricultural Solutions: Delivers integrated agricultural solutions, including seeds, crop protection products, and digital farming tools. According to the financial report, BASF’s top-performing business segment in 2023 was Surface Technologies, generating €16.204 billion in sales, followed by Materials at €14.149 billion. The Nutrition & Care segment — covering cosmetics/personal care and home care raw materials — achieved €6.858 billion in sales, accounting for approximately 10% of total group revenue. BASF divides its regional operations into four major zones: Europe; North America; Asia Pacific; and South America, Africa & Middle East. Greater China — comprising mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan — falls under the Asia Pacific region. In 2023, BASF’s sales in the Asia Pacific region totaled €17.1 billion, with 21,193 employees. Asia Pacific Region Overview: BASF’s historical ties with the Greater China market — including mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan — date back to 1885. It ranks among the largest foreign investors in China’s chemical industry. As a key foreign-invested enterprise in China’s chemical sector, BASF operates major production bases in Shanghai, Nanjing, Chongqing, and Zhanjiang (under construction). Its Shanghai Innovation Park serves as BASF’s R&D hub for the Asia Pacific region. In 2023, BASF’s sales to Greater China customers amounted to approximately €9.4 billion, with 12,115 employees at year-end. BASF’s Major Production Bases in Greater China: In the cosmetics sector, BASF’s personal care portfolio covers virtually all categories of raw materials — including surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, active ingredients, pigments, UV filters, thickeners, proteins, and lipid-enhancing agents.

Global and Chinese Solvent-Based Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Market: Operational Trends and Outlook Analysis Report, 2023–2029

5.8.5 tesa AG — Latest Corporate Updates 5.9 LG Chem 5.9.1 LG Chem — Basic Information, Solvent-Based PSA Production Facilities, Sales Regions, Competitors, and Market Position 5.9.2 LG Chem — Solvent-Based PSA Product Specifications, Technical Parameters, and Market Applications 5.9.3 LG Chem — Solvent-Based PSA Sales Volume, Revenue, Pricing, and Gross Margin (2018–2023) 5.9.4 LG Chem — Company Profile and Core Business Activities 5.9.5 LG Chem — Latest Corporate Updates 5.10 Berry Global 5.10.1 Berry Global — Basic Information, Solvent-Based PSA Production Facilities, Sales Regions, Competitors, and Market Position 5.10.2 Berry Global — Solvent-Based PSA Product Specifications, Technical Parameters, and Market Applications 5.10.3 Berry Global — Solvent-Based PSA Sales Volume, Revenue, Pricing, and Gross Margin (2018–2023) 5.10.4 Berry Global — Company Profile and Core Business Activities 5.10.5 Berry Global — Latest Corporate Updates 5.11 Xin Feng Group 5.11.1 Xin Feng Group — Basic Information, Solvent-Based PSA Production Facilities, Sales Regions, Competitors, and Market Position 5.11.2 Xin Feng Group — Solvent-Based PSA Product Specifications, Technical Parameters, and Market Applications 5.11.3 Xin Feng Group — Solvent-Based PSA Sales Volume, Revenue, Pricing, and Gross Margin (2018–2023) 5.11.4 Xin Feng Group — Company Profile and Core Business Activities 5.11.5 Xin Feng Group — Latest Corporate Updates 5.12 H.B. Fuller 5.12.1 H.B. Fuller — Basic Information, Solvent-Based PSA Production Facilities, Sales Regions, Competitors, and Market Position 5.12.2 H.B. Fuller — Solvent-Based PSA Product Specifications, Technical Parameters, and Market Applications 5.12.3 H.B. Fuller — Solvent-Based PSA Sales Volume, Revenue, Pricing, and Gross Margin (2018–2023) 5.12.4 H.B. Fuller — Company Profile and Core Business Activities 5.12.5 H.B. Fuller — Latest Corporate Updates 5.13 BASF 5.13.1 BASF — Basic Information, Solvent-Based PSA Production Facilities, Sales Regions, Competitors, and Market Position 5.13.2 BASF — Solvent-Based PSA Product Specifications, Technical Parameters, and Market Applications 5.13.3 BASF — Solvent-Based PSA Sales Volume, Revenue, Pricing, and Gross Margin (2018–2023) 5.13.4 BASF — Company Profile and Core Business Activities 5.13.5 BASF — Latest Corporate Updates 5.14 Bostik 5.14.1 Bostik — Basic Information, Solvent-Based PSA Production Facilities, Sales Regions, Competitors, and Market Position 5.14.2 Bostik — Solvent-Based PSA Product Specifications, Technical Parameters, and Market Applications 5.14.3 Bostik — Solvent-Based PSA Sales Volume, Revenue, Pricing, and Gross Margin (2018–2023)

H.B. Fuller (FUL) Board Rejects Second BAS Offer And Backs Unit’s Importance

Oct 20, 2026

H.B. Fuller rejected Ancora's second offer for its Building Adhesive Solutions segment, citing undervaluation. Retaining BAS supports funding for medical asset integration and a strategic shift to higher-margin medical and engineering adhesives.

Simply Wall Street

2026-04-06

A Look At H.B. Fuller (FUL) Valuation After Higher Earnings And Raised 2026 Revenue Guidance

2026-04-07

H.B. Fuller (FUL) Reports Q1 Earnings: Key Metrics Analysis

2026-04-09

H. B. Fuller (NYSE:FUL) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

2026-04-19

Does H.B. Fuller’s (FUL) Higher Dividend Payout Reveal Its True Capital Allocation Priorities?

2026-04-21

The Mosaic Company Is the Most Oversold Materials Stock as Q1 Earnings Roll On (XLB:NYSEARCA)