BASF to prepare agricultural business for IPO, reports Bloomberg

By 
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Published: September 18, 2024

(BASF.com)

Frankfurt | Reuters—BASF plans to prepare its agricultural chemicals business for an initial public offering in the next few years as part of restructuring measures set to be announced by the chemicals group this month, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

BASF’s new CEO, Markus Kamieth, will announce a series of overhaul measures at the capital markets day set for Sep. 26-27, including plans for the future of its coatings business, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Read Also

Canned fish factory. Food industry.  Sardines in red tomato sauce in tinned cans at food factory. Food processing production line. Food manufacturing industry. Many can of sardines on a conveyor belt.

Food and beverage makers’ sales predicted to slide on trade tensions: FCC

Canadian food and beverage makers have begun to feel the pinch of trade tensions with the U.S. according to a new forcast by Farm Credit Canada, which downgraded sales growth predictions from the start of the year.

While the agricultural chemicals business is to be prepared for a listing, the German firm could also signal its willingness to sell parts of the coatings business or bring in a partner.

BASF declined to comment on the report.

“We will publish information on our strategy next week at our capital markets day,” a company spokesperson told Reuters.

BASF shares rose 3.6 per cent, the top gainer in the DAX, following the report.

According to Bloomberg, BASF could also announce plans for the further development of the battery materials business.

The proceeds from the sale of assets could be used to strengthen the balance sheet, according to the report.

In December last year, BASF announced plans to turn its agriculture, battery materials and coatings businesses into autonomous units in a bid to try to boost earnings.

However, previous CEO Martin Brudermueller said at the time that there was no intention to sell these businesses.

BASF’s Agricultural Solutions unit had about 10 billion euros (C$15.1 billion) in sales last year, competing with Bayer, Corteva and China’s Syngenta.

—Reporting for Reuters by Patricia Weiss

explore

Stories from our other publications