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The innovative chemistry of BASF is the driving force for many industries and provides an important impetus for new products, technologies and processes. Our know-how and our products offer solutions for key societal concerns and enable our customers to be successful in the long term. Their success ensures profitable growth and sustainable commercial success for BASF.
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Research organization
Successful research combines market stimuli with scientific discoveries to create innovative products. The organization of research at BASF forms an integrated whole (Verbund in German) which is completely focused on this task.
The central, corporate research laboratories at Ludwigshafen are the competency centers for active ingredients, materials of construction, special effect substances, chemicals, and process development. Decentralized development units in operating divisions and group companies are near to customer needs.
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Central research Ludwigshafen
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Decentralized research and development
- Plastics development (G, U.S., J)
- Coatings (G, U.S.)
- Plant biotechnology, crop protection (G, U.S.)
As well as technical services (worldwide) and agricultural research stations (worldwide)
Through collaborations with universities and research institutes, joint ventures with highly specialized high-tech companies and own Centers of Excellence, the company gets access to new knowledge and new technologies. These elements can be rapidly and efficiently joined up within the Verbund to create innovations that the market wants.
Examples of research within the Know-how-Verbund of BASF:
BASF Schwarzheide GmbH
Sungene
Metanomics
Svalöf Weibull
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Research investments 2007
Innovations are indispensable to the profitable growth of BASF. Customer needs and technological progress are the main drivers of innovation. In many cases, our products provide the impetus for progress in other industries, where they act as the starting point for innovative end products. In return, the success of such products strengthens our own business.
In 2007, BASF employed more than 8,600 employees in research and development worldwide. In addition, we have more than 1,800 research cooperations with universities, research institutes, startup companies and industrial partners.
Each year, BASF files an average of 1,100 chemical patents, making us number one in the world among chemical companies.
In 2007, we spent €1,380 million on research and development, compared with €1,277 million in 2006. In 2008 we are planning expenditures of €1,450 million - no other company in the world spends more on chemical research. One third will be invested in products and technologies for increased energy efficiency and climate protection.
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Research and development expenses by segment 2007
| % |
1
| Chemicals |
10 |
2 |
Plastics |
12 |
3 |
Performance Products |
17 |
4 |
Functional Solutions |
14 |
5 |
Agricultural Solutions |
23 |
6 |
Corporate research, other |
24 |
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Total |
100 |
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Of the amount spent on research and development in 2007, almost 80% fell under the operational responsibility of the operating divisions. Over 20% was accounted for by corporate research, which has a longer time horizon.
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