Social Commitment

Our economic success also depends on social acceptance and on the confidence that those around us have in our actions. This means that our future-oriented corporate policy involves taking on social responsibility. This applies especially in the communities and regions in which our sites are located. Education and young people are key focal points of our social commitment.

Our Values and Principles state our commitment to making a positive contribution to social development – not only through our business activities. Through our involvement in numerous projects worldwide, we actively support the communities in which our sites are located. In 2007, we achieved the number one position in the “Good Company Ranking” presented by the German business publication - manager magazin. Our corporate social responsibility is recognized by them as being the most comprehensive of all European companies.

In 2007, the BASF Group spent a total of €75.3 million on promoting projects (2006: €67.2 million). Of the total amount 35.3% was donated and 64.7% was spent on sponsoring and funding for our own projects.

As a matter of principle, BASF does not support political parties. This applies worldwide. However, our employees in the United States have made use of their right to establish a Political Action Committee (PAC). The BASF Corporation PAC is a non-partisan, federally registered group of employees who support candidates for political posts at the federal, state and local levels. Following a resolution by the steering committee of the PAC, no candidate will receive support in the U.S. presidential elections. In 2007, employee donations of approximately $160,000 were received by the committee. Approximately $71,000 was donated to individual candidates.