BASF

BASF (originally an acronym of Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik) is a German chemical company. It was founded by Friedrich Engelhorn in Mannheim in 1865, and later moved to Ludwigshafen am Rhein.

BASF develops and manufactures, among other things:

• Agricultural chemicals
• Vitamins
• Plastics
• Polymers and Acrylic monomers
• Synthetic leather
• Absorbents
• Solvents
• Dyes and Pigments
• Oils and gases

In more recent times, BASF has been deeply involved in research concerning nanotechnological techniques for producing fabrics and batteries.

From 1925 on, especially during World War II, BASF was part of IG Farben, a conglomerate of several German chemical industries. After the war, when the Allies broke up IG Farben due to war crimes committed by it, BASF reappeared as a separate business.