BASF Transitions European Operations to Renewable Electricity to Drive Sustainable Growth

BASF Transitions European Operations to Renewable Electricity to Drive Sustainable Growth

(IN BRIEF) BASF’s Performance Materials division has completed a major sustainability milestone by transitioning all its European production sites to renewable electricity, starting in 2025. This step affects the company’s manufacturing of Engineering Plastics, Polyurethanes, Thermoplastic Polyurethanes, and Specialty Polymers. The shift is central to BASF’s broader climate strategy and part of its “#OurPlasticsJourney” initiative. Additionally, BASF is working with partners like 3B Fibreglass, whose use of solar energy in production helps reduce the carbon footprint of BASF’s products. The company is also expanding its renewable energy sources globally, with key projects like a massive offshore wind farm developed with Vattenfall, aimed at supporting clean energy at multiple European sites. BASF is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 and reaching climate-neutral operations by 2050, with renewable energy, alternative raw materials, and optimized processes playing a key role.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 29-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF’s Performance Materials division has taken a significant step toward sustainability by transitioning all of its European facilities to renewable electricity at the start of 2025. The move impacts the company’s production of Engineering Plastics, Polyurethanes, Thermoplastic Polyurethanes, and Specialty Polymers, with nine production sites now powered by renewable energy. This change is central to BASF’s ambitious climate targets and forms a key part of the broader “#OurPlasticsJourney” initiative, aimed at supporting its customers’ own green transformation. Martin Jung, President of BASF Performance Materials, emphasized the company’s commitment to driving environmental progress, noting that renewable electricity is crucial to meeting the company’s sustainability goals.

Renewable energy is also playing a crucial role in BASF’s supply chain, as exemplified by the partnership with 3B Fibreglass, which uses solar power to produce glass fibers for BASF. This collaboration contributes to lowering the CO2 footprint of BASF’s products. While BASF’s Ludwigshafen site, the world’s largest integrated chemical complex, will transition gradually, the company is making significant strides in its renewable energy adoption, with plans to expand renewable energy use across its global operations. Notably, BASF has partnered with Vattenfall to operate the world’s largest offshore wind farm, which began operations in 2023, providing clean energy to multiple European sites.

In addition to renewable electricity, BASF is advancing its sustainability efforts through the use of green steam and alternative raw materials, further reducing CO2 emissions. By 2030, BASF aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% compared to 2018 levels, with the ultimate goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. The company’s sustainability strategy is centered on renewable energy, improved raw material procurement, optimized production processes, and promoting a circular economy.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division

BASF’s Performance Materials division is at the forefront of the much-needed sustainability transformation in plastics. Our products are co-created with customers around the globe to bring innovations to four major industry sectors – transportation, consumer goods, industrial applications, and construction. Our R&D focuses on all stages of the plastics journey: Make, Use and Recycle. The MAKE phase is about improving how plastics are made, from product design to the choice of raw materials and the manufacturing process itself. The USE phase enhances plastics’ strengths such as light weight, robustness, and thermal resistance. At the end of the product lifecycle, the RECYCLE phase looks at how to close the loop to achieve a circular economy. In 2023, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €7.2 billion. Join #OurPlasticsJourney at: www.performance-materials.basf.com.

Media Contact:

Sebastien Cherpion
Manager Global communications (PM/K)
sebastien.cherpion@basf.com

SOURCE: BASF