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BASF SE

Interim / Quarterly Report Jul 27, 2012

44_10-q_2012-07-27_eb2adfed-3843-4cbf-8456-34cdfeea59a8.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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Interim Report 1st Half 2012 (January – June)

Solid first half of 2012 for BASF

  • Sales and earnings increase compared with same period of 2011
  • Agricultural Solutions on course for record year
  • Outlook confirmed despite growing economic risks: increase in sales and earnings targeted for 2012

BASF Group 1st Half 2012

Million € 2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales 19,481 18,461 5.5 40,071 37,822 5.9
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 3,132 3,015 3.9 7,022 6,380 10.1
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items 2,490 2,237 11.3 5,022 4,969 1.1
Income from operations (EBIT) 2,229 2,217 0.5 5,349 4,767 12.2
Financial result (112) (121) 7.4 (185) 709
Income before taxes and minority interests 2,117 2,096 1.0 5,164 5,476 (5.7)
Net income 1,229 1,454 (15.5) 2,953 3,865 (23.6)
Earnings per share
1.34 1.59 (15.7) 3.22 4.21 (23.5)
Adjusted earnings per share1
1.60 1.75 (8.6) 3.17 3.69 (14.1)
Cash provided by operating activities 1,889 783 141.3 3,460 3,038 13.9
Additions to long-term assets2 1,171 859 36.3 1,910 1,381 38.3
Research and development expenses 426 391 9.0 832 771 7.9
Amortization and depreciation2 903 798 13.2 1,673 1,613 3.7
Segment assets (as of June 30)3 53,139 49,250 7.9 53,139 49,250 7.9
Personnel costs 2,114 2,273 (7.0) 4,508 4,457 1.1
Number of employees (as of June 30) 111,995 110,289 1.5 111,995 110,289 1.5

1 For further information, see page 36

2 Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment (including acquisitions)

3 Intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, inventories and business-related receivables

Contents

Interim Management's Analysis

1
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11
12
13
14
15
16

Interim Financial Statements

Statement of Income 17
Statement of Recognized Income and Expense 18
Balance Sheet 19
Statement of Cash Flows 20
Statement of Changes in Equity 21
Segment Reporting 22
Notes to the Interim Financial Statements 24
Calculation of Adjusted Earnings per Share5 36
Statement in Accordance with Section 37y and Section
37w (2) No. 3 of the German Securities Trading Act 36

4 This section is not part of the Interim Management's Analysis. 5 This section is not part of the Interim Financial Statements.

1st Half 2012

Sales

Change compared with 1st half 2011

EBIT before special items (Change compared with 1st half 2011) Million €

Cover photo: BASF employees visit the Innovation Center at our new North American headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey. Through interactive media, visitors discover how BASF's sustainable solutions contribute to everyday life.

BASF's Segments

Chemicals Page 7 Plastics Page 8

In the Chemicals segment, we supply products to customers in the chemical, electronics, construction, textile, automotive, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries as well as many others. We also ensure that other BASF segments are supplied with chemicals for producing downstream products. Our portfolio ranges from basic chemicals, glues and electronic chemicals for the semiconductor and solar cell industries, to solvents and plasticizers, as well as starting materials for detergents, plastics, textile fibers, paints and coatings, crop protection products and pharmaceuticals.

The Plastics segment includes a broad range of products, system solutions and services. We offer a number of engineering plastics for the automotive and electrical industries as well as for use in household appliances and sports and leisure products. Our styrenic foams are used as insulating materials in the construction industry and in packaging. Our polyurethanes are extremely versatile: As soft foams, for example, they improve car seats and mattresses, and as insulating rigid foams they increase the energy efficiency of refrigerators.

Performance Products lend stability and color to countless everyday items and help to improve their application profile. Our product portfolio includes vitamins and food additives as well as ingredients for pharmaceuticals and for hygiene, home and personal care items. Other Performance Products improve processes in the paper industry, oil and gas production, mining and water treatment. They can also enhance the efficiency of fuels and lubricants, the effectiveness of adhesives and coatings, and the stability of plastics.

Performance Products Page 9 Functional Solutions Page 11

In the Functional Solutions segment, we bundle tailor-made system solutions and innovative products for specific sectors and customers, in particular for the automotive, chemical and construction industries. Our portfolio comprises automotive and industrial catalysts, automotive and industrial coatings and concrete admixtures as well as construction systems such as tile adhesives and decorative paints.

Agricultural Solutions Page 12 Oil & Gas Page 13

Our crop protection products guard against fungal diseases, insects and weeds and they increase quality and secure crop yields. Our research in plant biotechnology concentrates on plants for greater efficiency in agriculture, healthier nutrition and for use as renewable raw materials.

Research and development expenses, sales, earnings and all other data pertaining to BASF Plant Science are not included in the Agricultural Solutions segment; they are reported in Other.

As the largest German producer of oil and gas, we focus our exploration and production on oil- and gas-rich regions in Europe, North Africa, South America, Russia and the Caspian Sea region. Together with our Russian partner Gazprom, we are active in the transport, storage and trading of natural gas in Europe.

BASF Innovations

iGloss: an automotive finish with higher gloss and fewer scratches

BASF's innovative clearcoat provides cars with long-lasting protection from microscratches

An automotive coating has to withstand a lot – from climatic influences like sun, rain, snow and temperature fluctuations to road salt and tree sap. Even microscratches from cleaning brushes can make the finish look dull and unattractive over time. With its innovative iGloss®, BASF has developed a clearcoat that provides cars with a glossy appearance for significantly longer than conventional coatings.

Standard clearcoats for cars consist almost exclusively of organic material known as polymers. iGloss, however, combines the advantages of hard inorganic and soft organic materials: The organic matrix makes the finish flexible and elastic. It has especially hard silicate nanoclusters embedded into it, which improve the coating's scratch resistance.

The two materials create a solid yet simultaneously elastic network. This allows iGloss to immediately spring back to around 90% when, for example, hit by the bristles of a car wash brush. Microscratches are therefore much shallower and less visible than in conventional clearcoats, which only spring back to 70%.

iGloss is also more resistant to harsh weather conditions than standard clearcoats. The difference was clearly demonstrated by practical tests under everyday conditions with subsequent scratch tests: Surfaces finished with iGloss remain glossy roughly twice as long as those finished with conventional clearcoats. This is sure to please any car owner.

Despite its innovative composition, the new clearcoat can be applied using existing paintlines without requiring any major changes. That is another reason why iGloss has already been used in serial production since mid-2011: Daimler is the first automotive manufacturer to use iGloss, coating several models including its Mercedes SLK.

Final inspection on the coating line: As the very top layer, the clearcoat protects the car from external factors. With the iGloss clearcoat, the car looks new for longer.

iGloss: scratch-resistant clearcoat

BASF Innovations – iGloss

  • − iGloss protects cars from microscratches and weather longer than conventional coatings
  • − Silicate nanoclusters embedded in the coating matrix provide especially high scratch resistance
  • − Surfaces stay glossy longer thanks to iGloss's ability to withstand weathering
  • − Daimler already uses iGloss to coat several models
  • Further information on iGloss can be found online at: basf.com/igloss_e

BASF Group Business Review 2nd Quarter 2012

Our business continued its solid development in the second quarter of 2012. Compared with the same period of the previous year, sales grew by 6% to €19.5 billion, mainly as a result of positive currency effects. The Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments were able to considerably increase their sales volumes, making a significant contribution to this sales growth.

Income from operations before special items rose by €253 million to €2.5 billion. This was due in large part to our successful business with crop protection products as well as to increased crude oil production in Libya.

Our sales volumes matched the level of the second quarter of 2011. Volumes increased significantly in the Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments; by contrast, sales volumes declined in the chemicals business1 . We were able to slightly increase our sales prices and thus partly pass on higher raw material costs. The weaker euro had a positive impact on sales.

Factors influencing sales (% of sales)

2nd Quarter
Volumes 0
Prices 1
Portfolio measures 0
Currencies 5
6

In the Chemicals segment, sales were slightly below the level of the previous second quarter, primarily due to lower sales volumes. Along with weaker demand, the optimization of our supply chain for steam cracker products, carried out in the third quarter of 2011, contributed to this decline in volumes. Sales to Styrolution Group companies had a positive impact on sales

development for the segment. Earnings decreased significantly as a result of falling margins and the scheduled maintenance shutdown of several plants.

Sales in the Plastics segment surpassed the level of the second quarter of 2011. While sales volumes were weaker, positive currency effects in particular boosted sales growth. Lower margins for some basic products led to a significant decline in earnings.

Chemicals 2012 3,348 (1%)
2011 3,392
Plastics 2012 2,878 2%
2011 2,828
Performance 2012 4,122 1%
Products 2011 4,095
Functional 2012 2,974 8%
Solutions 2011 2,766
Agricultural 2012 1,467 22%
Solutions 2011 1,205
Oil & Gas 2012 3,585 46%
2011 2,461
Other 2012 1,107 (35%)
2011 1,714

Second-quarter sales (million €)

Sales in the Performance Products segment grew slightly compared with the previous second quarter, largely as a result of positive currency effects. Sales volumes were lower. We were not able to fully pass on increased raw material costs through higher sales prices. Earnings therefore declined due to lower margins and volumes.

BASF Group 2nd Quarter 2012

  • − Solid business development continues in second quarter of 2012
  • − Sales improve by 6% to €19.5 billion, boosted by positive currency effects
  • − Sales volumes increase significantly in Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments
  • − Income from operations before special items rises by 11% to €2.5 billion
  • − Successful business with crop protection products and increased oil production in Libya largely responsible for higher earnings

1 Our chemicals business includes the Chemicals, Plastics, Performance Products and Functional Solutions segments.

We increased sales in the Functional Solutions segment. In addition to the proportional consolidation of the Korean Heesung Catalysts Corporation, positive currency effects were particularly responsible for sales growth. This was partially offset by lower prices, especially in precious metals. Earnings did not match the level of the previous second quarter, primarily as a result of higher raw material costs.

Business was very successful in the Agricultural Solutions segment. We increased sales volumes in all indications and regions. Furthermore, higher sales prices and positive exchange rate effects contributed to significant sales growth. Earnings were also considerably above the level of the previous second quarter.

Increased volumes as well as higher gas prices led to significant sales growth in the Oil & Gas segment. Volumes grew in natural gas trading due to greater demand on spot trading markets. After the suspension of production in Libya from February to October of the previous year, we were able to continuously produce crude oil there throughout the second quarter of 2012. Earnings therefore considerably exceeded the level of the previous second quarter. By contrast, net income fell.

Other posted a decline in sales, largely as a result of the divestiture of our styrenic plastics business, which was contributed to the Styrolution joint venture as of October 1, 2011. Earnings in Other improved as a result of the reversal of provisions for our long-term incentive program, while an expense had been incurred in the previous second quarter.

Special items in EBIT amounting to minus €261 million (second quarter of 2011: minus €20 million) resulted primarily from restructuring measures and from impairment charges on a Norwegian oil field development project.

EBIT rose slightly compared with the previous second quarter, to €2,229 million. EBITDA increased by €117 million to €3,132 million.

Second-quarter EBIT before special items (million €, absolute change)

Chemicals 2012 436 (238)
2011 674
Plastics 2012 256 (127)
2011 383
Performance 2012 446 (67)
Products 2011 513
Functional 2012 134 (33)
Solutions 2011 167
Agricultural 2012 414 83
Solutions 2011 331
Oil & Gas 2012 880 548
2011 332
Other 2012 (76) 87
2011 (163)

The financial result improved slightly; at minus €112 million, it was €9 million above the second quarter of 2011 thanks to higher income from participations. In the previous year, the result from participations included special charges of €29 million.

Income before taxes and minority interests rose by €21 million in the second quarter of 2012 to €2,117 million. The tax rate increased due to the resumption of crude oil production in Libya, which is highly taxed. At 39.0%, the tax rate was significantly higher than in the second quarter of 2011 (26.0%).

Net income fell by €225 million to €1,229 million.

Earnings per share were €1.34 in the second quarter of 2012 compared with €1.59 in the same period of the previous year. Adjusted for special items and amortization of intangible assets, earnings per share amounted to €1.60 (second quarter of 2011: €1.75).

Information on the calculation of adjusted earnings per share can be found on page 36.

Special items reported in earnings before taxes (million €)

2012 2011
1st quarter 588 705
2nd quarter (261) (49)
1st half 327 656
3rd quarter (117)
4th quarter 429
Full year 968

Adjusted earnings per share (€)

2012 2011
1st quarter 1.57 1.94
2nd quarter 1.60 1.75
1st half 3.17 3.69
3rd quarter 1.52
4th quarter 1.05
Full year 6.26

BASF Group Business Review 1st Half 2012

In the first half of 2012, global economic growth was somewhat slower than in the same period of 2011. Nevertheless, we increased our sales by 6% to €40.1 billion, largely thanks to higher sales volumes in the Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments. By contrast, volumes declined in the chemicals business1. Currency effects had a positive impact on sales. Income from operations before special items rose slightly; at more than €5 billion, it exceeded the level of the previous first half by €53 million. This was due in large part to our successful business with crop protection products as well as to increased crude oil production in Libya.

At €3.5 billion, our operating cash flow surpassed the level of the previous first half.

Sales volumes matched the level of the first half of 2011. Higher volumes in the Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments compensated for lower sales volumes in the chemicals business. In the first quarter in particular, we were able to raise our sales prices and partly pass on increased raw material costs. The weaker euro also had a positive impact on sales development. Portfolio measures reduced sales by 1%, mostly due to the divestiture of our styrenic plastics business, which was contributed to the Styrolution joint venture as of October 1, 2011.

Factors influencing sales (% of sales)

1st Half
Volumes 0
Prices 3
Portfolio measures (1)
Currencies 4
6

Sales grew in the Chemicals segment, principally owing to positive currency effects and sales to Styrolution Group companies. The optimization of our supply chain for steam cracker products in the third quarter of 2011 as well as decreased demand both led to a decline in volumes. Primarily as a result of falling margins due to higher raw material costs, earnings were significantly below the level of the previous first half.

Sales in the Plastics segment decreased slightly compared with the first half of 2011. Sales volumes declined as a result of weaker demand in some areas; scheduled plant shutdowns also contributed to reduced volumes. Currency effects, however, had a positive impact on sales. Because of lower margins in some product lines, earnings were significantly below the level of the same period of 2011.

Chemicals 2012 6,832 2%
2011 6,668
Plastics 2012 5,556 (1%)
2011 5,616
Performance 2012 8,121 1%
Products 2011 8,077
Functional 2012 5,819 4%
Solutions 2011 5,584
Agricultural 2012 2,794 15%
Solutions 2011 2,435
Oil & Gas 2012 8,560 45%
2011 5,916
Other 2012 2,389 (32%)
2011 3,526

First-half sales (million €)

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 We posted a slight sales increase in the Performance Products segment. Higher sales prices and positive currency effects more than offset a decrease in volumes. Weaker margins resulting from higher raw material costs led to a year-on-year decline in earnings.

BASF Group 1st Half 2012

  • − Global economic growth weakens slightly compared with first half of 2011
  • − Sales grow by 6% to €40.1 billion as a result of positive currency effects and higher prices
  • − Sales volumes increase in Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments; declining volumes in the chemicals business lead overall to sales volumes at the level of the previous first half
  • − Earnings rise, thanks in particular to successful business with crop protection products and increased oil production in Libya
  • − At €3.5 billion, operating cash flow exceeds level of previous first half

Sales rose in the Functional Solutions segment, thanks in particular to positive currency effects. Portfolio measures also contributed to sales growth. By contrast, sales volumes and prices both declined slightly. Mostly due to higher raw material costs, earnings did not match the level of the previous first half.

The first half of 2012 was very successful in the Agricultural Solutions segment. Sales increased significantly, parti cularly as a result of demand-driven improvement in sales volumes. Currency effects and higher sales prices also had a positive impact on sales development. We considerably exceeded the earnings level of the previous first half.

Sales grew significantly in the Oil & Gas segment, primarily as a result of increased volumes as well as higher prices for crude oil and gas. After the suspension of production in Libya from February to October of 2011, we were able to continuously produce crude oil there throughout the first half of 2012; earnings were therefore significantly above the level of the first half of 2011.

Other posted a decline in sales, principally as a result of the divestiture of our styrenic plastics business. The missing earnings contribution which resulted from this, as well as higher currency losses could not be offset by lower expenses for the long-term incentive program. Earnings in Other therefore did not match the level of the previous first half.

Special items in EBIT of €327 million (first half of 2011: minus €202 million) resulted primarily from gains of €645 million on the sale of our fertilizer business. Expenses arose from restructuring measures and from impairment charges on a Norwegian oil field development project.

Compared with the first half of the previous year, EBIT rose by 12% to €5,349 million. EBITDA increased by €642 million to €7,022 million.

First-half EBIT before special items (million €, absolute change)

Chemicals 2012 903 (536)
2011 1,439
Plastics 2012 475 (301)
2011 776
Performance 2012 898 (169)
Products 2011 1,067
Functional
Solutions
2012 282 (27)
2011 309
Agricultural 2012 833 159
Solutions 2011 674
Oil & Gas 2012 2,037 961
2011 1,076
Other 2012 (406) (34)
2011 (372)

At minus €185 million, the financial result was €894 million below the level of the previous first half. In the prior year, the financial result included a positive special item of €887 million from the sale of our shares in K+S Aktiengesellschaft.

Income before taxes and minority interests decreased by €312 million in the first half of 2012 to €5,164 million. At 39.3%, the tax rate was far above that of the first half of 2011 (25.2%). This increase was the result of a higher earnings contribution from the Oil & Gas segment in 2012 as well as the largely taxfree gain on the sale of shares in K+S Aktiengesellschaft in the previous year.

Net income fell by €912 million to €2,953 million.

Earnings per share amounted to €3.22 in the first half of 2012 compared with €4.21 in the same period of the previous year. Adjusted for special items and the amortization of intangible assets, earnings per share amounted to €3.17 (first half of 2011: €3.69).

Information on the calculation of adjusted earnings per share can be found on page 36.

Earnings in 1st Half 2012

− At more than €5 billion, income from operations before special items 1.1% above level of first half of 2011

  • − Income before taxes and minority interests down €312 million from level of previous first half
  • − Net income 23.6% lower compared with same period of 2011
  • − Earnings per share of €3.22 (first half of 2011: €4.21)
  • − Adjusted earnings per share of €3.17 (first half of 2011: €3.69)

BASF on the Capital Market

Overview of BASF shares

2nd Quarter 2012 1st Half 2012
Performance (with dividends reinvested)
BASF
%
(13.3) 5.6
DAX 30
%
(7.6) 8.8
DJ EURO STOXX 50
%
(6.2) 0.7
DJ Chemicals
%
(7.6) 6.4
MSCI World Chemicals
%
(5.2) 9.6
Share prices and trading (XETRA)
Average
58.88 60.50
High
66.61 67.98
Low
51.89 51.89
Close (end of period)
54.70 54.70
Average daily trade
million shares
3.9 3.7
Outstanding shares (end of period)
million shares
918.5 918.5
Market capitalization (end of period)
billion €
50.2 50.2

Market trend

As a result of the debt crisis in the eurozone, stock exchanges in the second quarter of 2012 were increasingly marked by uncertainty. BASF shares traded at €54.70 at the end of the second quarter, a decline of 16.6% compared with the closing price in the first quarter of 2012. Assuming the dividend of €2.50 paid out on April 30, 2012 was reinvested, our share performance was around minus 13.3%. Over the same period, the German benchmark index DAX 30 and the European DJ EURO STOXX 50 fell 7.6% and 6.2%, respectively. In the second quarter, the global industry indices DJ Chemicals and MSCI World Chemicals lost 7.6% and 5.2%, respectively.

For up-to-date information on BASF shares, visit basf.com/share.

Authorization for share buybacks

On April 27, 2012, the BASF SE Annual Shareholders' Meeting granted authorization to buy back company shares. We can buy back up to 10% of our share capital over a maximum period of five years. This provides us with more flexibility in optimizing our capital structure.

Good credit ratings and very solid financing

With "A+/A-1 outlook stable" from rating agency Standard & Poor's and "A1/P-1 outlook stable" from Moody's, we have good credit ratings, especially compared with competitors in the chemical industry. We continue to have very solid financing. As of June 30, 2012, net debt amounted to €11,524 million.

Financial communication honored again

In the Thomson Extel Pan-European Survey 2012, BASF received awards in several categories. We were also honored for our Investor Relations work multiple times in a survey for the U.K.'s IR Magazine. Additionally, we took first place in Wirtschaftwoche's German Investor Relations Award (Deutscher Investor Relations Preis). wird aktualisiert

BASF on the Capital Market

  • − At end of second quarter 2012, BASF share trades at 16.6% below closing price of first quarter
  • − Authorization for share buybacks increases flexibility in optimizing our capital structure
  • − Good credit ratings and very solid financing
  • You can reach our Investor Relations team by phone at +49 621 60-48230 or by email at [email protected].

Dividend per share1 (€ per share)

1 Adjusted for two-for-one stock split conducted in 2008

Significant Events and Economic Environment

Significant Events

We are investing €150 million for the construction of a new production site in Dahej, India. The site will include an integrated hub for polyurethane production as well as plants for polymer dispersions and ingredients for personal care products, detergents and cleaners. In this way, we are strengthening our presence in the growing Indian market. Production is scheduled to start in 2014.

We are continuing to expand our technology portfolio for battery materials with the acquisition of Novolyte Technologies, announced at the end of April. The U.S. company develops, produces and markets electrolyte formulations for lithium-ion batteries.

With the acquisition of the Mazzaferro Group's polyamide polymer business at the beginning of May, we have bolstered our position in engineering plastics and polyamide polymers in South America. The purchase comprises the São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, site with production facilities for the polyamide-6 product range and for engineering plastics compounds. The polymerization plant has a capacity of roughly 20,000 metric tons per year.

At our Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana, we are investing in the construction of the first production plant for formic acid in North America. Formic acid is an environmentally friendly solution for applications in the pharmaceutical industry, for example, or in the production of shale gas. The plant, which will have a capacity of more than 50,000 metric tons per year, is expected to begin production in the second quarter of 2014.

In May, we acquired Equateq Ltd., a global leader in the production of highly concentrated omega-3 fatty acids. In nutritional applications and pharmaceutical products, these essential fatty acids can have positive effects on the health of the eyes, brain and heart. The acquisition of Equateq allows us to expand our portfolio of omega-3 products. Equateq will be included in the Nutrition & Health division; the integration is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

Economic Environment

The slowdown in worldwide economic growth that began in the second half of 2011 continued in the first half of 2012. In the first quarter, high oil prices particularly dampened growth. The debt crisis in several eurozone countries unsettled investors and consumers worldwide in the second quarter. Even the emerging markets were not able to escape this slowdown; their growth was restricted by lower demand for exports and reduced investing activities. Compared with the same period of the previous year, global gross domestic product grew by around 2.5% in the first half of 2012; worldwide industrial production increased by approximately 3%.

The outlook for the full year 2012 can be found on page 16.

Significant Events and Economic Environment

  • − We are investing €150 million in a new production site in Dahej, India
  • − We continue to expand our technology portfolio for battery materials with the acquisition of Novolyte Technologies
  • − In Brazil, we purchase the Mazzaferro Group's polyamide polymer business, improving our position in the South American market
  • − At our Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana, we invest in the construction of a formic acid plant
  • − With the acquisition of Equateq Ltd., we reinforce our position in the growing global market for omega-3 fatty acids
  • − Global gross domestic product grows by around 2.5% compared with first half of 2011

Chemicals

Excellence in the Verbund, technology and cost leadership

Segment data Chemicals (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales to third parties 3,348 3,392 (1) 6,832 6,668 2
Thereof Inorganics 426 351 21 780 704 11
Petrochemicals 2,159 2,348 (8) 4,606 4,562 1
Intermediates 763 693 10 1,446 1,402 3
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 606 847 (28) 1,240 1,773 (30)
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items 436 674 (35) 903 1,439 (37)
Income from operations (EBIT) 435 686 (37) 902 1,451 (38)
Assets (as of June 30) 7,260 6,712 8 7,260 6,712 8
Research and development expenses 32 33 (3) 70 65 8
Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 267 146 83 413 256 61

2nd Quarter 2012

In the Chemicals segment, sales were slightly below the level of the previous second quarter. This development was chiefly due to weaker sales volumes resulting from lower demand, in addition to lower prices. The optimization of our supply chain for steam cracker products, carried out in the third quarter of 2011, also contributed to the decrease in volumes. By contrast, both currency and portfolio effects had a positive influence on sales (volumes –14%, prices –2%, portfolio 10%, currencies 5%). As a result of falling margins and scheduled maintenance shutdowns, we posted a considerable year-on-year decline in income from operations before special items.

Inorganics

Sales in the Inorganics division rose significantly in comparison with the second quarter of 2011. This was mainly due to portfolio effects: After the divestiture of our fertilizer activities, the delivery of basic products for fertilizer production is now reported under sales to third parties. Furthermore, we increased our sales prices. Earnings improved, mostly as a result of lower fixed costs.

Petrochemicals

Despite positive portfolio effects from the divestiture of our styrenic plastics activities, sales in the Petrochemicals division decreased. Lower sales prices negatively impacted our business. As a consequence of the swap agreement to optimize the logistics of our value chain for steam cracker products in the third quarter of 2011, volumes also declined; yet this did not impact earnings. Lower margins in almost all product lines and the scheduled maintenance shutdown of the steam cracker in Port Arthur, Texas, led to significantly weaker earnings than in the previous second quarter.

Intermediates

In the Intermediates division, demand from important customer sectors such as the agricultural and plastics industries grew compared with the second quarter of 2011; overall, we improved sales volumes. Sales grew considerably, thanks in part to positive currency effects. Increased raw material costs could not be fully passed on through higher sales prices in all product lines. Earnings therefore did not match the high level of the previous second quarter.

Chemicals

  • − Sales slightly below level of the previous second quarter
  • − Optimization of supply chain for steam cracker products in third quarter of 2011 leads to decline in volumes
  • − Earnings decrease significantly due to maintenance shutdown and lower margins

2nd Quarter 2012

Sales Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011

EBIT before special items (Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011) Million €

Plastics

Energy-efficient products and system solutions for our customers

Segment data Plastics (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales to third parties 2,878 2,828 2 5,556 5,616 (1)
Thereof Performance Polymers 1,298 1,330 (2) 2,567 2,639 (3)
Polyurethanes 1,580 1,498 5 2,989 2,977
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 362 483 (25) 696 980 (29)
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items 256 383 (33) 475 776 (39)
Income from operations (EBIT) 256 383 (33) 486 776 (37)
Assets (as of June 30) 5,784 5,356 8 5,784 5,356 8
Research and development expenses 40 37 8 78 73 7
Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 152 51 198 264 91 190

2nd Quarter 2012

Sales in the Plastics segment surpassed the level of the previous second quarter, mainly as a result of currency effects. Sales volumes declined due to weaker demand in some areas as well as scheduled maintenance shutdowns (volumes –5%, prices 0%, portfolio 1%, currencies 6%). Because of weaker margins for some basic products and lower volumes overall, income from operations before special items declined significantly.

Performance Polymers

Sales in the Performance Polymers division decreased slightly despite positive currency effects. Sales volumes fell, mainly as a result of weaker demand for polyamide precursors. Capacity utilization rates declined, due in part to a scheduled plant shutdown in Ludwigshafen. Because of this and lower sales volumes, earnings decreased significantly compared with the second quarter of 2011.

Polyurethanes

Sales in the Polyurethanes division were above the level of the same period of the previous year. Positive currency effects and increased sales prices more than compensated for lower volumes. This decline in sales volumes was mainly due to scheduled plant shutdowns in our MDI and TDI production at several sites. Demand for our products was high, especially from the automotive industry. As a result of higher raw material costs and the scheduled shutdowns, earnings did not quite match the level of the previous second quarter.

Plastics

  • − Sales rise, especially as a result of currency effects
  • − Sales volumes decline due to weaker demand in some areas and scheduled plant shutdowns
  • − Earnings decrease significantly owing to falling margins for some basic products and lower volumes overall

2nd Quarter 2012

Sales Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011

EBIT before special items (Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011) Million €

Performance Products

Innovative, fast-growing and cyclically resilient

Segment data Performance Products (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales to third parties 4,122 4,095 1 8,121 8,077 1
Thereof Dispersions & Pigments 1,005 937 7 1,935 1,786 8
Care Chemicals 1,237 1,353 (9) 2,520 2,729 (8)
Nutrition & Health 509 480 6 985 949 4
Paper Chemicals 427 417 2 837 810 3
Performance Chemicals 944 908 4 1,844 1,803 2
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 587 688 (15) 1,223 1,335 (8)
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items 446 513 (13) 898 1,067 (16)
Income from operations (EBIT) 382 456 (16) 811 863 (6)
Assets (as of June 30) 14,196 13,516 5 14,196 13,516 5
Research and development expenses 85 80 6 165 158 4
Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 220 130 69 345 231 49

2nd Quarter 2012

We increased sales slightly in the Performance Products segment compared with the previous second quarter, mostly due to currency effects. We were partly able to pass on higher raw material costs by raising our sales prices. Lower sales volumes had a negative impact (volumes –5%, prices 1%, currencies 5%). Income from operations before special items was below the level of the second quarter of 2011. This was mainly due to lower margins resulting from increased raw material costs.

Dispersions & Pigments

In the Dispersions & Pigments division, sales grew mostly as a result of positive currency effects. Especially in North America, sales improved considerably thanks to currency effects and higher sales volumes. Lower demand for pigments was chiefly responsible for a decline in volumes in Europe. Due to a less favorable product mix, earnings did not match the level of the previous second quarter.

Care Chemicals

Sales decreased in the Care Chemicals division. Cautious customer behavior in anticipation of falling raw material prices led to reduced sales volumes. With sales prices stable, positive currency effects were not able to fully offset lower volumes. Earnings were significantly below the level of the second quarter of 2011 due to lower sales volumes and margins.

Performance Products

  • − Sales rise slightly, particularly thanks to positive currency effects
  • − Volumes decline as a result of lower demand in some areas
  • − Earnings decrease, due especially to lower margins resulting from higher raw material costs

2nd Quarter 2012

Sales Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011

EBIT before special items (Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011) Million €

+1% 446 (–67)

Nutrition & Health

The Nutrition & Health division posted sales growth, especially in North America and Asia. In addition to slightly increased sales prices, positive currency effects were largely responsible for this development. We were only partly able to pass on higher raw material costs, which had a negative impact on our margins; earnings therefore remained below the level of the previous second quarter.

Paper Chemicals

Sales in the Paper Chemicals division were up compared with the second quarter of 2011. This increase was driven by positive currency effects and higher sales prices, which more than compensated for a decline in volumes resulting from weaker demand. Thanks to progress in restructuring our business, we exceeded the earnings level of the previous second quarter.

Performance Chemicals

In the Performance Chemicals division, sales rose compared with the same period of the previous year, mostly as a result of positive currency effects and the price increases implemented in all regions. Sales volumes fell, especially due to lower demand in Europe and North America for fuel and lubricant additives as well as for plastic additives. We were able to significantly improve earnings.

Performance Products

  • − Dispersions & Pigments: sales rise, thanks especially to positive currency effects; earnings decrease
  • − Care Chemicals: lower volumes lead to sales and earnings decline; earnings also negatively affected by weaker margins
  • − Nutrition & Health: sales grow, especially as a result of positive currency effects; earnings decline as higher raw material costs reduce margins
  • − Paper Chemicals: sales rise; earnings improve thanks to progress in restructuring our business
  • − Performance Chemicals: sales grow as a result of positive currency effects and price increases; earnings significantly above level of previous second quarter

Functional Solutions

Customer-specific products and system solutions

Segment data Functional Solutions (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales to third parties 2,974 2,766 8 5,819 5,584 4
Thereof Catalysts 1,620 1,500 8 3,250 3,177 2
Construction Chemicals 621 577 8 1,123 1,046 7
Coatings 733 689 6 1,446 1,361 6
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 224 258 (13) 482 496 (3)
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items 134 167 (20) 282 309 (9)
Income from operations (EBIT) 134 165 (19) 303 307 (1)
Assets (as of June 30) 10,025 9,423 6 10,025 9,423 6
Research and development expenses 63 50 26 118 95 24
Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 202 190 6 325 215 51

2nd Quarter 2012

We increased sales in the Functional Solutions segment, largely due to positive currency effects and portfolio measures. Sales volumes matched the level of the second quarter of 2011. Lower prices, particularly in precious metals, had a negative influence on sales development (volumes 0%, prices –1%, portfolio 3%, currencies 6%). Income from operations before special items was below the level of the previous second quarter, primarily as a result of higher raw material costs.

Catalysts

Sales grew in the Catalysts division, especially due to positive currency effects. Portfolio measures as well as the positive development of our business with mobile emissions catalysts, particularly in Asia, also contributed to sales growth. Sales volumes improved slightly; demand for chemical catalysts was high. Sales prices fell, especially in precious metals. At €681 million (second quarter 2011: €648 million), the sales contribution from precious metal trading grew nevertheless, mainly owing to currency effects. Because of increased raw material costs, we did not quite match the good earnings level of the previous second quarter.

Construction Chemicals

Sales in the Construction Chemicals division grew as a result of positive exchange rate effects, price increases and portfolio measures. In North America and Asia, favorable demand development led to an improvement in sales volumes. Overall, however, volumes were below the level of the previous second quarter due to a continuing decline in construction activity in parts of Europe. We increased our earnings, principally as a result of higher prices.

Coatings

Sales volumes for industrial coatings and coatings for the automotive industry were at a high level. Demand from Asia and South America grew overall. Thanks to increased sales prices and positive currency effects, sales exceeded the high level of the second quarter of 2011. We were partly able to pass on increased raw material costs to the market. Higher fixed costs led to lower earnings than in the same quarter of the previous year.

Functional Solutions

  • − Sales increase, especially as a result of positive currency effects
  • − Lower prices, particularly for precious metals
  • − Earnings down year-on-year primarily owing to higher raw material costs

2nd Quarter 2012

Sales Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011

EBIT before special items (Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011) Million €

Agricultural Solutions

Innovations for the health of crops

Segment data Agricultural Solutions (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales to third parties 1,467 1,205 22 2,794 2,435 15
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 449 373 20 908 757 20
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items 414 331 25 833 674 24
Income from operations (EBIT) 414 331 25 833 674 24
Assets (as of June 30) 6,019 5,316 13 6,019 5,316 13
Research and development expenses 104 95 9 197 192 3
Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 50 36 39 81 59 37

2nd Quarter 2012

Our business was very successful in the Agricultural Solutions segment, especially thanks to the strong season in the Northern Hemisphere. We were able to raise sales volumes in all indications and regions as a result of high demand for our products. Business development was very positive for fungicides in particular. We improved sales considerably. In addition to increased sales volumes, higher sales prices and positive exchange rate effects also contributed to sales growth (volumes 14%, prices 2%, currencies 6%).

The growing season in Europe developed positively and we significantly increased sales. This was mostly due to high demand for our Clearfield® herbicide tolerance system and the successful introduction of our fungicide Xemium®.

Sales rose significantly in all indications in North America, driven particularly by our business with products for plant health as well as by the imidazolinone and Kixor® brand herbicides. Positive currency effects additionally boosted sales growth.

Sales grew significantly in Asia, especially thanks to higher demand for herbicides in India. We also increased our sales of fungicides.

We posted significant sales growth in South America despite continuing drought in the southern regions. Sales volumes for insecticides based on the active ingredient Fipronil® continued to increase. Our business with the fungicide F 500® also developed well.

Higher sales volumes and positive currency effects led to income from operations before special items significantly above the level of the previous second quarter.

1st Half 2012 – Sales by indication

1 Fungicides 45%
2 Herbicides 38%
3 Insecticides and other 17%

1st Half 2012 – Sales by region (location of customer)

1 Europe 47%
2 North America 29%
3 Asia Pacific 11%
4 South America, Africa,
Middle East
13%

Agricultural Solutions

  • − Business very successful, thanks especially to strong season in the Northern Hemisphere
  • − Significant sales increase due to improved sales volumes in all indications and regions
  • − Earnings significantly above level of previous second quarter

2nd Quarter 2012

Sales Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011

EBIT before special items (Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011) Million €

Oil & Gas

Exploration and production of oil and natural gas; Trading, transport and storage of natural gas

Segment data Oil & Gas (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales to third parties 3,585 2,461 46 8,560 5,916 45
Thereof Exploration & Production 1,251 563 122 2,587 1,631 59
Natural Gas Trading 2,334 1,898 23 5,973 4,285 39
Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 1,055 436 142 2,344 1,310 79
Thereof Exploration & Production 923 338 173 1,966 1,061 85
Natural Gas Trading 132 98 35 378 249 52
Income from operations (EBIT) before special items 880 332 165 2,037 1,076 89
Thereof Exploration & Production 793 269 195 1,748 895 95
Natural Gas Trading 87 63 38 289 181 60
Income from operations (EBIT) 800 332 141 1,957 1,076 82
Thereof Exploration & Production 713 269 165 1,668 895 86
Natural Gas Trading 87 63 38 289 181 60
Assets (as of June 30) 9,855 8,927 10 9,855 8,927 10
Thereof Exploration & Production 5,456 5,008 9 5,456 5,008 9
Natural Gas Trading 4,399 3,919 12 4,399 3,919 12
Exploration expenses 75 30 150 98 83 18
Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 252 276 (9) 413 467 (12)
Income taxes on oil-producing operations non-compensable with
German corporate income tax
445 896 280 220
Net income 213 257 (17) 629 563 12

2nd Quarter 2012

In the Oil & Gas segment, sales were significantly above the level of the previous second quarter, mostly because of increased volumes and higher gas prices (volumes 31%, prices/currencies 14%, portfolio 1%). Volumes grew in natural gas trading due to higher demand on spot trading markets. During the second quarter of 2012, we were able to continuously produce crude oil in Libya; production there had been shut down during the second quarter of the previous year. As a result, income from operations before special items improved considerably. By contrast, net income declined.

More information on net income in the Oil & Gas segment can be found in the Notes on page 27.

We significantly increased sales and earnings in the Exploration & Production business sector. Production volumes grew mainly as a result of the continuous production of oil in Libya. The average price for Brent crude oil was \$108 per barrel, compared with \$117 per barrel (–8%) in the second quarter of 2011. The average oil price in euros increased slightly.

Sales in the Natural Gas Trading business sector grew considerably. Higher gas prices and increased sales volumes were largely responsible for this. Earnings were above the level of the previous second quarter thanks to positive volumes development as well as to contributions from the OPAL pipeline.

Oil & Gas

  • − Sales significantly above level of previous second quarter
  • − Increased volumes and higher gas prices largely responsible for sales growth
  • − Earnings improve considerably, mainly as a result of continuous production of oil in Libya

2nd Quarter 2012

Sales Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011

EBIT before special items (Change compared with 2nd quarter 2011) Million €

+46% 880 (+548)

Regional Results

1st Half 2012

Overview of regions (million €)

Sales
Location of company
Sales
Location of customer
EBIT
before special items
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2nd Quarter
Europe 11,146 10,215 9 10,497 9,743 8 1,877 1,410 33
Thereof Germany 7,750 6,964 11 3,748 3,598 4 1,421 754 88
North America 3,767 3,980 (5) 3,775 3,742 1 330 457 (28)
Asia Pacific 3,589 3,294 9 3,805 3,637 5 229 286 (20)
South America, Africa, Middle East 979 972 1 1,404 1,339 5 54 84 (36)
19,481 18,461 6 19,481 18,461 6 2,490 2,237 11
1st Half
Europe 23,586 21,365 10 22,436 20,399 10 3,741 3,243 15
Thereof Germany 16,721 14,883 12 8,178 7,640 7 2,719 1,968 38
North America 7,614 7,831 (3) 7,527 7,418 1 700 850 (18)
Asia Pacific 6,879 6,683 3 7,319 7,319 448 701 (36)
South America, Africa, Middle East 1,992 1,943 3 2,789 2,686 4 133 175 (24)
40,071 37,822 6 40,071 37,822 6 5,022 4,969 1

In Europe, we increased sales by 10% in the first half of 2012. We posted significant volumes growth in the Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments. Sales rose considerably in the Chemicals segment due to portfolio effects. Income from operations before special items grew by €498 million to €3,741 million, thanks to the higher contribution from the Oil & Gas and Agricultural Solutions segments.

In North America, sales fell by 10% in U.S. dollars and by 3% in euro terms. This was mainly the result of lower volumes due to plant shutdowns and the optimization of our supply chain for steam cracker products in the third quarter of 2011. Sales in the Agricultural Solutions segment grew in all indications thanks to high demand. Lower margins in the Petrochemicals division as well as higher fixed costs resulting from plant shutdowns led to a €150 million decline in earnings to €700 million.

Compared with the same period of 2011, sales in the Asia Pacific region were down 5% in local-currency terms and up 3% in euro terms. With volumes stable, positive currency effects more than offset reduced sales prices. Sales rose significantly in the Catalysts division, mainly due to higher sales volumes. Weaker margins, especially in the Petrochemicals division and Plastics segment, led to a €253 million decline in earnings to €448 million.

Sales in the South America, Africa, Middle East region rose by 2% in local-currency terms and by 3% in euro terms. While our business with crop protection products was very successful, we posted a decline in sales in the Catalysts division due to lower volumes. Earnings in the region decreased by €42 million to €133 million despite considerable earnings improvement in the Agricultural Solutions segment. This was due in part to the lower contribution from the Coatings division.

1st Half 2012

  • − Europe: sales and earnings increase mainly as a result of higher contributions from Oil & Gas and Agricultural Solutions
  • − North America: decline in sales due to lower volumes; falling margins in the Petrochemicals division and higher fixed costs resulting from plant shutdowns lead to earnings decline
  • − Asia Pacific: sales rise, particularly owing to positive currency effects; earnings down as a result of weaker margins, especially in Petrochemicals and Plastics
  • − South America, Africa, Middle East: sales improve, thanks to strong business with crop protection products; earnings decrease, due in part to lower contribution from the Coatings division

Overview of Other Topics

Research and development

At a Chicago press conference at the beginning of June, we presented the new products in our crop protection and plant biotechnology pipelines. These include, for example, the newly available herbicides in the Kixor® line, developed to combat stubborn weeds, and the fungicide Xemium®. In addition, we presented our new research activities focusing on plant stress and on solutions for better resource management.

In Canada, we will use AgBalance™ to explore sustainability in canola (oil-seed rape) production. AgBalance is a method developed by BASF to measure sustainability in agriculture. It uses a set of 69 indicators to calculate the social, economic and environmental impact of various farming practices. The results of the study, expected in the second quarter of 2013, will help Canadian canola growers identify the most important parameters for improving their sustainability score.

In May, we launched Neopor® Plus, an optimized insulation material. Neopor Plus boasts a unique combination of properties: high compressive strength coupled with low thermal conductivity – and that with a more efficient use of material than conventional products. All this makes Neopor Plus an efficient and cost-effective solution, for example, for insulating flat roofs.

Together with Germany's Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, we have begun a research project to determine the safety of nanomaterials. These studies plan to investigate the potential long-term effects of nanoparticles in the lungs in order to better assess the risks of nanotechnology. The studies are scheduled to run for four years and will comply with the testing guidelines of the OECD. Total funding for the project amounts to around €5 million.

Employees

Compared with the end of 2011, the number of BASF Group employees rose by 854 to a total of 111,995 as of June 30, 2012. On this date, 63% of BASF Group employees were employed in Europe while North America accounted for 15% of employees, Asia Pacific for 16% and South America, Africa, Middle East for 6%.

Compared with the same period of the previous year, personnel costs in the first half 2012 rose by 1% to €4,508 million. This was mostly due to the higher number of employees and was partly offset by lower expenses for the long-term incentive program.

Research and development

  • − New products presented in crop protection and plant biotechnology business areas
  • − AgBalance: measuring sustainability in Canadian canola production
  • − Neopor Plus, an optimized insulation material, available on the market since May
  • − Long-term research project launched on safety of nanomaterials

Employees by region

June 30,
2012
Dec. 31,
2011
Europe 70,703 70,664
North America 16,371 16,167
Asia Pacific 17,801 17,342
South America, Africa, Middle East 7,120 6,968
111,995 111,141

Our business development was solid in the first half of 2012. We increased sales and earnings in the Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas segments compared with the first half of 2011. By contrast, we posted a decline in earnings in the chemicals business.

We do not expect global economic growth to pick up in the second half of 2012. Prospects are dampened by increased uncertainty, especially in the eurozone, and by slower growth in Asia. Nevertheless, we still aim to exceed the 2011 record levels in sales and income from operations before special items.

Opportunities and risks

In the second half of 2012, we may be presented with opportunities arising from stronger growth in the global economy and our customer industries. Furthermore, a stronger U.S. dollar would have positive effects on our earnings.

We also see opportunities in consistently implementing our "We create chemistry" strategy and further improving our operational excellence, as well as in strengthening research and development. We will continue to concentrate on expanding our business in growth markets as well as on innovations, portfolio optimization, restructuring and increasing efficiency. For example, our excellence program, STEP, serves to strengthen our competitiveness and profitability. By the end of 2015, it is expected to contribute around €1 billion to earnings each year. STEP comprises more than 100 projects that aim to lower costs and raise profit margins.

However, there are also risks to the development of our business. Economic growth can be impaired by the ongoing debt crisis in the eurozone as well as by lower demand in Asia. Increasing raw material costs could also negatively affect our margins and dampen demand.

The statements on opportunities and risks made in the BASF Report 2011 remain valid.

More detailed information can be found in the BASF Report 2011, in the Opportunities and Risks Report on pages 104–112.

Forecast

We have adjusted some of our expectations for the global economy in 2012 (previous forecast in parentheses):

  • Growth of gross domestic product: 2.3% (2.7%)
  • Growth in industrial production: 3.4% (4.1%)
  • Growth in chemical production: 3.5% (4.1%)
  • An average euro/dollar exchange rate of \$1.30 per euro
  • An average oil price of \$110/barrel in 2012

In the first half of 2012, sales improved compared with the strong level of the previous first half. Income from operations before special items increased slightly, as well. Despite our assumption that global economic growth will not pick up in the second half of 2012, we anticipate an increase in sales and earnings compared with the same period of 2011.

We still aim to exceed the 2011 record levels in sales and income from operations before special items. Our forecast is especially supported by the resumption of our crude oil production in Libya. It is unlikely that earnings from our chemicals business will match the level of the previous year, as we do not anticipate an upturn in demand compared with the first half of 2012.

Excluding the effects of acquisitions and divestitures, we strive to increase our sales volumes. We aim to earn a high premium on our cost of capital once again in 2012.

Outlook for 2012

  • − Outlook confirmed: we aim to improve sales and earnings despite growing economic risks and expect to earn a high premium on our cost of capital
  • − Opportunities could arise from stronger growth in the global economy and in our customer industries
  • − STEP excellence program will help strengthen our competitiveness and profitability
  • − Risks arise from the debt crisis in the eurozone, lower demand in Asia and rising raw material costs

BASF Group Interim Financial Statements Statement of Income

Statement of Income (million €)

Further information in Note 2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
Sales 19,481 18,461 5.5 40,071 37,822 5.9
Cost of sales (14,176) (13,502) (5.0) (29,379) (27,327) (7.5)
Gross profit on sales 5,305 4,959 7.0 10,692 10,495 1.9
Selling expenses (1,902) (1,813) (4.9) (3,720) (3,573) (4.1)
General and administrative expenses (350) (313) (11.8) (672) (611) (10.0)
Research and development expenses (426) (391) (9.0) (832) (771) (7.9)
Other operating income
[5]
171 285 (40.0) 1,196 570 109.8
Other operating expenses
[5]
(569) (510) (11.6) (1,315) (1,343) 2.1
Income from operations 2,229 2,217 0.5 5,349 4,767 12.2
Income from companies accounted for using the equity method 19 3 91 61 49.2
Other income from participations 30 33 (9.1) 42 928 (95.5)
Other expenses from participations (3) (17) 82.4 (5) (18) 72.2
Interest income 41 42 (2.4) 84 70 20.0
Interest expense (193) (184) (4.9) (377) (364) (3.6)
Other financial result (6) 2 (20) 32
Financial result
[6]
(112) (121) 7.4 (185) 709
Income before taxes and minority interests 2,117 2,096 1.0 5,164 5,476 (5.7)
Income taxes
[7]
(826) (545) (51.6) (2,032) (1,379) (47.4)
Income before minority interests 1,291 1,551 (16.8) 3,132 4,097 (23.6)
Minority interests
[8]
(62) (97) 36.1 (179) (232) 22.8
Net income 1,229 1,454 (15.5) 2,953 3,865 (23.6)
Earnings per share (€)
[9]
Undiluted 1.34 1.59 (15.7) 3.22 4.21 (23.5)
Diluted 1.34 1.59 (15.7) 3.22 4.21 (23.5)

Statement of Recognized Income and Expense

Statement of recognized income and expense (million €)

1st Half
2012 2011
Income before minority interests 3,132 4,097
Actuarial gains/losses and asset ceiling for defined benefit assets (1,956) 80
Foreign currency translation adjustment 174 (491)
Fair value changes in available-for-sale securities1 1 (1,013)
Cash flow hedges (47) (35)
Hedges of net investments in foreign operations 1 10
Revaluation due to acquisition of majority of shares (2) (1)
Deferred taxes 612 (6)
Minority interests 20 (61)
Total income and expense recognized in equity (1,197) (1,517)
Total income and expense for the period 1,935 2,580
Thereof shareholders of BASF SE 1,736 2,409
Thereof minority interests 199 171

1 Following the disposal of shares in K+S Aktiengesellschaft in 2011, the realized fair value changes were reclassified in the financial result.

Development of income and expense recognized directly in equity of shareholders of BASF SE (million €)

Retained
earnings
Actuarial
gains/losses;
asset ceiling
Other comprehensive income
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
Fair value
changes in
available
for-sale
securities
Cash flow
hedges
Hedges
of net
investments
in foreign
operations
Revalua
tion due to
acquisition
of majority of
shares
Total of other
comprehen
sive income
As of January 1, 2012 (2,108) 373 10 (71) (2) 4 314 (1,794)
Additions (1,956) 174 1 (47) 128 (1,828)
Releases 1 (2) (1) (1)
Deferred taxes 611 (3) 4 1 612
As of June 30, 2012 (3,453) 544 11 (114) (1) 2 442 (3,011)
As of January 1, 2011 (1,526) 190 1,009 (3) (7) 6 1,195 (331)
Additions (35) 10 (25) (25)
Releases 80 (491) (1,013) (1) (1,505) (1,425)
Deferred taxes (34) 7 13 8 28 (6)
As of June 30, 2011 (1,480) (294) 9 (30) 3 5 (307) (1,787)

Balance Sheet

Assets (million €)

Further information in Note June 30, 2012 June 30, 2011 Change in % Dec. 31, 2011 Change in %
Intangible assets
[10]
12,061 11,730 2.8 11,919 1.2
Property, plant and equipment
[10]
18,381 16,776 9.6 17,966 2.3
Investments accounted for using the equity method 1,949 1,262 54.4 1,852 5.2
Other financial assets 861 807 6.7 848 1.5
Deferred tax assets 1,552 1,005 54.4 941 64.9
Other receivables and miscellaneous short-term assets 631 921 (31.5) 561 12.5
Long-term assets 35,435 32,501 9.0 34,087 4.0
Inventories
[11]
10,441 9,490 10.0 10,059 3.8
Accounts receivable, trade
[11]
12,473 10,874 14.7 10,886 14.6
Other receivables and miscellaneous short-term assets
[11]
3,782 3,537 6.9 3,781
Marketable securities
[11]
25 15 66.7 19 31.6
Cash and cash equivalents
[11]
2,218 1,838 20.7 2,048 8.3
Assets of disposal groups 1,019 295
Short-term assets 28,939 26,773 8.1 27,088 6.8
Total assets 64,374 59,274 8.6 61,175 5.2

Equity and liabilities (million €)

Further information in Note June 30, 2012 June 30, 2011 Change in % Dec. 31, 2011 Change in %
Subscribed capital [12] 1,176 1,176 1,176
Capital surplus [12] 3,203 3,216 (0.4) 3,203
Retained earnings [12] 18,768 17,698 6.0 19,446 (3.5)
Other comprehensive income 442 (307) 314 40.8
Equity of shareholders of BASF SE 23,589 21,783 8.3 24,139 (2.3)
Minority interests 1,271 1,191 6.7 1,246 2.0
Equity 24,860 22,974 8.2 25,385 (2.1)
Provisions for pensions and similar obligations [13] 5,044 2,720 85.4 3,189 58.2
Other provisions [14] 3,454 3,632 (4.9) 3,335 3.6
Deferred tax liabilities 2,748 2,590 6.1 2,628 4.6
Financial indebtedness [15] 8,861 10,239 (13.5) 9,019 (1.8)
Other long-term liabilities [15] 1,109 925 19.9 1,142 (2.9)
Long-term liabilities 21,216 20,106 5.5 19,313 9.9
Accounts payable, trade 5,758 4,820 19.5 5,121 12.4
Provisions [14] 3,352 3,295 1.7 3,210 4.4
Tax liabilities 1,463 1,374 6.5 1,038 40.9
Financial indebtedness [15] 4,881 3,856 26.6 3,985 22.5
Other short-term liabilities [15] 2,844 2,616 8.7 3,036 (6.3)
Liabilities of disposal groups 233 87
Short-term liabilities 18,298 16,194 13.0 16,477 11.1
Total equity and liabilities 64,374 59,274 8.6 61,175 5.2

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows (million €)

1st Half
2012 2011
Net income 2,953 3,865
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and financial assets 1,673 1,614
Changes in net working capital (651) (1,178)
Miscellaneous items (515) (1,263)
Cash provided by operating activities 3,460 3,038
Payments related to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (1,669) (1,265)
Acquisitions/divestitures 430 32
Financial investments and other items 155 1,314
Cash provided by / used in investing activities (1,084) 81
Capital increases/repayments, share repurchases (5)
Changes in financial liabilities 269 (486)
Dividends (2,462) (2,278)
Cash used in financing activities (2,198) (2,764)
Net changes in cash and cash equivalents 178 355
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of year and other changes 2,040 1,483
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter 2,218 1,838

At €3,460 million, cash provided by operating activities was €422 million higher in the first half of 2012 than in the same period of the previous year. The change in net working capital was particularly due to an increase in trade accounts receivable. The negative value for miscellaneous items resulted primarily from the reclassification of the gain on the disposal of our fertilizer activities to cash provided by investing activities.

Investing activities resulted in a cash outflow of €1,084 million compared with an inflow of €81 million in the same period of the previous year. Cash received from acquisitions and divestitures amounted to €430 million. Cash received from divestitures of €708 million was almost exclusively related to the fertilizer business; €278 million was used for acquisitions. Payments for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets amounted to €1,669 million, which was comparable with the level of depreciation.

Financing activities led to a cash outflow of €2,198 million, compared with €2,764 million in the previous year. Dividends of €2,296 million were paid to shareholders of BASF SE and €166 million was paid to minority shareholders in Group companies.

Financial liabilities rose by €269 million. This increase resulted in particular from BASF SE's issuance of USD commercial paper and was partly offset by the scheduled repayment of the 3.375% Euro Bond of BASF SE.

Cash and cash equivalents amounted to €2,218 million as of June 30, 2012, compared with €2,048 million at the end of 2011. Net debt increased to €11,524 million at the end of the second quarter of 2012, compared with €10,956 million as of December 31, 2011.

Statement of Changes in Equity

1st Half 2012 (million €)

Number of
subscribed
shares out
standing
Subscribed
capital
Capital
surplus
Retained
earnings
Other com
prehensive
income1
Equity of
sharehol
ders of
BASF SE
Minority
interests
Equity
As of January 1, 2012 918,478,694 1,176 3,203 19,446 314 24,139 1,246 25,385
Effects of acquisitions achieved in
stages
(5) (5)
Dividend paid (2,296) (2,296) (166)2 (2,462)
Net income 2,953 2,953 179 3,132
Change in income and expense
recognized directly in equity
(1,345) 128 (1,217) 20 (1,197)
Changes in scope of consolidation
and other changes
10 10 (3) 7
As of June 30, 2012 918,478,694 1,176 3,203 18,768 442 23,589 1,271 24,860

1st Half 2011 (million €)

As of January 1, 2011 918,478,694 1,176 3,216 15,817 1,195 21,404 1,253 22,657
Effects of acquisitions achieved in
stages
(1) (1) (1)
Dividend paid (2,021) (2,021) (257)2 (2,278)
Net income 3,865 3,865 232 4,097
Change in income and expense
recognized directly in equity
46 (1,502) (1,456) (61) (1,517)
Changes in scope of consolidation
and other changes
(8) (8) 24 16
As of June 30, 2011 918,478,694 1,176 3,216 17,698 (307) 21,783 1,191 22,974

1 Details are provided in "Development of income and expense recognized directly in equity of shareholders of BASF SE" on page 18.

2 Including profit and loss transfers

Segment Reporting

2nd Quarter (million €)

Sales EBITDA Income from operations
(EBIT) before special items
Income from operations
(EBIT)
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
Chemicals 3,348 3,392 (1.3) 606 847 (28.5) 436 674 (35.3) 435 686 (36.6)
Plastics 2,878 2,828 1.8 362 483 (25.1) 256 383 (33.2) 256 383 (33.2)
Performance Products 4,122 4,095 0.7 587 688 (14.7) 446 513 (13.1) 382 456 (16.2)
Functional Solutions 2,974 2,766 7.5 224 258 (13.2) 134 167 (19.8) 134 165 (18.8)
Agricultural Solutions 1,467 1,205 21.7 449 373 20.4 414 331 25.1 414 331 25.1
Oil & Gas 3,585 2,461 45.7 1,055 436 142.0 880 332 165.1 800 332 141.0
Other 1,107 1,714 (35.4) (151) (70) (76) (163) 53.4 (192) (136) (41.2)
19,481 18,461 5.5 3,132 3,015 3.9 2,490 2,237 11.3 2,229 2,217 0.5

2nd Quarter (million €)

Research expenses Assets Additions to
long-term assets1
Amortization and
depreciation2
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
Chemicals 32 33 (3.0) 7,260 6,712 8.2 267 146 82.9 171 161 6.2
Plastics 40 37 8.1 5,784 5,356 8.0 152 51 198.0 106 100 6.0
Performance Products 85 80 6.3 14,196 13,516 5.0 220 130 69.2 205 232 (11.6)
Functional Solutions 63 50 26.0 10,025 9,423 6.4 202 190 6.3 90 93 (3.2)
Agricultural Solutions 104 95 9.5 6,019 5,316 13.2 50 36 38.9 35 42 (16.7)
Oil & Gas 7 4 75.0 9,855 8,927 10.4 252 276 (8.7) 255 104 145.2
Other 95 92 3.3 11,235 10,024 12.1 28 30 (6.7) 41 66 (37.9)
426 391 9.0 64,374 59,274 8.6 1,171 859 36.3 903 798 13.2

1 Investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

2 Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

1st Half (million €)

Sales EBITDA Income from operations
(EBIT) before special items
Income from operations
(EBIT)
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
Chemicals 6,832 6,668 2.5 1,240 1,773 (30.1) 903 1,439 (37.2) 902 1,451 (37.8)
Plastics 5,556 5,616 (1.1) 696 980 (29.0) 475 776 (38.8) 486 776 (37.4)
Performance Products 8,121 8,077 0.5 1,223 1,335 (8.4) 898 1,067 (15.8) 811 863 (6.0)
Functional Solutions 5,819 5,584 4.2 482 496 (2.8) 282 309 (8.7) 303 307 (1.3)
Agricultural Solutions 2,794 2,435 14.7 908 757 19.9 833 674 23.6 833 674 23.6
Oil & Gas 8,560 5,916 44.7 2,344 1,310 78.9 2,037 1,076 89.3 1,957 1,076 81.9
Other 2,389 3,526 (32.2) 129 (271) (406) (372) (9.1) 57 (380)
40,071 37,822 5.9 7,022 6,380 10.1 5,022 4,969 1.1 5,349 4,767 12.2

1st Half (million €)

Research expenses Assets Additions to
long-term assets1
Amortization and
depreciation2
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
2012 2011 Change
in %
Chemicals 70 65 7.7 7,260 6,712 8.2 413 256 61.3 338 322 5.0
Plastics 78 73 6.8 5,784 5,356 8.0 264 91 190.1 210 204 2.9
Performance Products 165 158 4.4 14,196 13,516 5.0 345 231 49.4 412 472 (12.7)
Functional Solutions 118 95 24.2 10,025 9,423 6.4 325 215 51.2 179 189 (5.3)
Agricultural Solutions 197 192 2.6 6,019 5,316 13.2 81 59 37.3 75 83 (9.6)
Oil & Gas 10 7 42.9 9,855 8,927 10.4 413 467 (11.6) 387 234 65.4
Other 194 181 7.2 11,235 10,024 12.1 69 62 11.3 72 109 (33.9)
832 771 7.9 64,374 59,274 8.6 1,910 1,381 38.3 1,673 1,613 3.7

1 Investments in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

2 Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Other3 (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 Change in % 2012 2011 Change in %
Sales 1,107 1,714 (35.4) 2,389 3,526 (32.2)
Thereof Styrenics 811 1,654
Thereof Other business included under Other 1,107 903 22.6 2,389 1,872 27.6
EBIT before special items (76) (163) 53.4 (406) (372) (9.1)
Thereof Group corporate costs (61) (59) (3.4) (119) (114) (4.4)
Corporate research (96) (87) (10.3) (191) (170) (12.4)
Currency results, hedges and other valuation effects 52 (118) (139) (196) 29.1
Styrenics, fertilizers, other business 13 76 (82.9) 134 261 (48.7)
Special items (116) 27 463 (8)
EBIT (192) (136) (41.2) 57 (380)

3 Further information about Other can be found in the Notes on page 26.

Notes to the Interim Financial Statements of BASF Group

1 – Basis of presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements of the BASF Group for the year ending December 31, 2011 were prepared according to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) valid as of the balance sheet date. The Interim Financial Statements as of June 30, 2012 have been prepared in line with the rules of International Accounting Standard 34 in abbreviated form and using the same accounting policies. The Interim Financial Statements and Interim Management's Analysis have been neither audited nor subject to an auditor's review.

The BASF Report 2011 containing the Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2011 can be found online at: basf.com/report

Selected exchange rates

Closing rates Average rates
€1 equals June 30,
2012
Dec. 31,
2011
1st Half
2012
2011
Brazil (BRL) 2.58 2.42 2.41 2.29
China (CNY) 8.00 8.16 8.19 9.17
Great Britain (GBP) 0.81 0.84 0.82 0.87
Japan (JPY) 100.13 100.20 103.31 114.95
Malaysia (MYR) 4.00 4.11 4.00 4.25
Mexico (MXN) 16.88 18.05 17.19 16.69
The Russian Federation (RUB) 41.37 41.77 39.71 40.13
Switzerland (CHF) 1.20 1.22 1.20 1.27
South Korea (KRW) 1,441.00 1,498.69 1,480.41 1,544.84
United States (USD) 1.26 1.29 1.30 1.40

2 – Scope of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include BASF SE, as well as all material subsidiaries on a fully consolidated basis. Material jointly operated companies are proportionally consolidated. The development of the number of fully and proportionally consolidated companies is shown in the table.

There have been 17 first-time consolidations since the beginning of 2012, eight of which were due to reclassifications and nine because of acquisitions.

Since the beginning of 2012, seven companies have been deconsolidated as a result of mergers with other BASF companies, sale to third parties or decreased significance.

Scope of consolidation

2012 2011
As of January 1 316 339
Thereof proportionally consolidated 24 21
First-time consolidations 17 18
Thereof proportionally consolidated 2
Deconsolidations 7 5
Thereof proportionally consolidated 1
As of June 30 326 352
Thereof proportionally consolidated 23 23

3 – Acquisitions/Divestitures

On February 13, 2012, BASF acquired the Ovonic Battery Company, headquartered in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Ovonic is a license provider for nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery technologies and produces cathode active materials (CAMs) for batteries. Furthermore, the company operates a research facility for battery materials in Troy, Michigan. Ovonic holds numerous patents and patent applications worldwide in the area of NiMH technology. The company was incorporated into the newly established Battery Materials business unit, a part of the Catalysts division.

BASF acquired B.C. Foam S.p.A.'s polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foams business (headquartered in Volpiano, Italy) effective February 29, 2012. The acquisition comprises production facilities and industrial property rights. This includes a special extrusion process which enables the production of PET high-performance foams with very high density. These PET foams are primarily used in wind turbine rotor blades. Moreover, high-quality PET foam panels are in demand in the automotive and aviation industries, as well as in shipbuilding.

Effective April 25, 2012, BASF acquired Novolyte Technologies, based in Cleveland, Ohio. The acquisition comprises Novolyte's energy storage activities focused on developing, producing and marketing performance electrolyte formulations for lithium-ion batteries. BASF also purchased Novolyte's performance materials business. As part of the acquisition, BASF will continue the joint venture between Novolyte and its Korean partner Foosung Co., Ltd., a global producer of the highpurity specialty salt lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6 ), an important material for manufacturing lithium-ion battery electrolytes. These electrolytes are key components in the fast-growing market for lithium-ion batteries for automotive, consumer and industrial applications.

BASF concluded the acquisition of the Brazilian Mazzaferro Group's polyamide polymer business, subject to approval by the appropriate authorities, on May 2, 2012. The transaction comprises the site and production facilities for the polyamide-6 product range, as well as engineering plastics compounds at São Bernardo do Campo. BASF will integrate the acquired activities into its existing engineering plastics and polyamide polymer business. BASF's engineering plastics comprise Ultramid® (PA), Ultradur® (PBT), Ultraform® (POM) and Ultrason® (PSU, PESU and PPSU). The engineering plastic Ultramid is a compounded polyamide, derived from base polyamide. The materials are used mainly in automotive and electrical applications.

Furthermore, on May 8, 2012, BASF acquired Equateq Ltd., based in Cheadle, United Kingdom. Equateq is a global leader in the production of highly concentrated omega-3 fatty acids. With this acquisition, BASF is expanding its portfolio of omega-3 products for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. Equateq's proprietary technology allows flexible formulation of omega-3 fatty acids at exceptional purity levels.

The purchase prices for the acquired businesses totaled €282 million. The purchase price allocations were carried out in the first half of 2012 in accordance with IFRS 3; they are based on estimates and should be regarded as preliminary. The resulting goodwill amounted to €218 million. The purchase price allocations can be adjusted within one year after the acquisition.

Divestiture of fertilizer business

As of January 31, 2012, BASF sold its 50% share in the jointly controlled entity PEC-Rhin, Ottmarsheim, France, to its joint venture partner GPN, Courbevoie, France. PEC-Rhin owns and operates production facilities for calcium ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate fertilizers, as well as production facilities for the intermediates ammonia and nitric acid. The net assets that had been reported as part of the fertilizer disposal group were deconsolidated as of the date of sale. The following table shows the calculation of gains on the disposal of BASF's share in PEC-Rhin:

Profit realization from the deconsolidation of PEC-Rhin (million €)

Proceeds from divestiture 34
Disposed net assets as part of the disposal group1 (13)
Reinstated receivables and payables,
realized intercompany profits
4
Disposal gain 25

The sale of BASF's fertilizer activities in Antwerp, Belgium to EuroChem, Moscow, which had been agreed upon on September 27, 2011, was completed on March 31, 2012, after approval was granted by anti-trust authorities. The sale comprises production facilities for calcium ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate fertilizers, NPK fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphate, potassium), nitrophosphoric acid and three related nitric acid plants. The sale resulted in the transfer of 330 employees.

The following table shows the assets and liabilities disposed as a result of the sale to EuroChem as of the date of disposal:

Fertilizer disposal group as of the date of disposal (million €)

Net assets 204
Disposed liabilities as part of the disposal group1 (33)
Disposed assets as part of the disposal group1 237

BASF's proceeds from the divestiture amounted to €670 million. In addition, EuroChem will pay BASF a cash compensation of €175 million in the period from 2012 to 2016. The fair value of this compensation amounts to €162 million.

In addition to the disposed assets and liabilities from the disposal group, transaction costs and expenses resulting from the carve-out of the fertilizer activities also reduced the amount of the disposal gains. The following overview shows the individual components of the calculation of disposal gains:

Profit realization from the sale of fertilizer activities (million €)

Proceeds from divestiture 670
Compensation claim 162
Disposed net assets of the disposal group1 (204)
Other effects of the divestiture (8)
Disposal gains 620

Other effects resulted from contractual adjustment clauses and from expenses which arose in connection with the divestiture.

In our segment reporting, the entire fertilizer business had previously been reported under Other.

1 On September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, the assets and liabilities of the fertilizer business were reported separately as part of the disposal group.

4 – Segment reporting

BASF's worldwide business is conducted by operating divisions that are aggregated into six segments for reporting purposes.

Chemicals consists of the Inorganics, Petrochemicals and Intermediates divisions. Its portfolio ranges from basic chemicals, glues and electronic chemicals to solvents and plasticizers, as well as starting materials for products such as detergents, plastics, textile fibers, paints and coatings and pharmaceuticals.

Plastics is composed of the Performance Polymers and Polyurethanes divisions.

Performance Products, which is made up of the Dispersions & Pigments, Care Chemicals, Nutrition & Health, Paper Chemicals and Performance Chemicals operating divisions, primarily offers customer-specific specialties alongside standard products.

Functional Solutions comprises the Catalysts, Construction Chemicals and Coatings divisions.

Agricultural Solutions is made up of the Crop Protection division.

The Oil & Gas segment is composed of the Oil & Gas division with the Exploration & Production and Natural Gas Trading business sectors.

Activities not assigned to a particular division are reported in Other. In particular, these included our styrenics business, which was contributed to the Styrolution joint venture as of October 1, 2011, and our fertilizer business, which we divested in the first quarter of 2012. The remaining activities reported in Other mainly comprise the sale of raw materials, engineering and other services, rental income and leases.

With our cross-divisional corporate research, which is also reported under Other, we develop growth fields and ensure the long-term competence of BASF with regard to technology and methods.

Group corporate costs are not allocated to the segments, but rather reported under Other. These consist of the expenses for steering the BASF Group. Earnings from currency conversion that are not allocated to the segments are also reported under Other, as are earnings from the hedging of raw material prices and foreign currency exchange risks. Furthermore, expenses and revenues from the long-term incentive program (LTI program) are reported here.

As expected, sales in Other in the first half of 2012 declined significantly compared with first half of 2011 as a result of the divestiture of both our styrenics and fertilizer businesses. Income from operations improved considerably, however, especially due to the positive special item arising from income of €645 million from the divestiture of our fertilizer business. Furthermore, expenses for the LTI program in the first half of 2012 were around €188 million lower than in the previous year. Negative foreign currency results and the missing earnings contribution from Styrenics both had a negative impact.

Transfers between the segments are almost always executed at market-based prices. Assets, as well as their depreciation and amortization, are allocated to the segments based on economic control. Assets used by more than one segment are allocated based on the percentage of usage.

Assets of Other (million €)

1st Half
2012 2011
Assets of businesses included under Other 2,338 3,073
Financial assets 2,810 2,070
Deferred tax assets 1,552 1,005
Cash and cash equivalents / marketable securities 2,243 1,853
Defined benefit assets 118 497
Miscellaneous receivables / prepaid expenses 2,174 1,526
Assets of Other 11,235 10,024

Assets of businesses included under Other significantly declined due to the divestiture of our styrenics and fertilizer activities.

Reconciliation reporting for Oil & Gas (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Income from operations 800 332 1,957 1,076
Income from participations 8 29 58 72
Other income (7) (8) (46) (12)
Income before taxes and minority interests 801 353 1,969 1,136
Income taxes (540) (70) (1,205) (482)
Thereof income taxes on oil-producing operations non-compensable with German corporate
income tax
445 896 280
Income before minority interests 261 283 764 654
Minority interests (48) (26) (135) (91)
Net income 213 257 629 563

In the reconciliation reporting for Oil & Gas, the income from operations of the Oil & Gas segment is reconciled to the contribution of the companies in this segment to the net income of the BASF Group.

Other income includes all expenses and income not included in income from operations of the segment, the interest result and the miscellaneous financial result.

The higher earnings level and higher income taxes in the second quarter of 2012 are primarily attributable to the continuous production of crude oil in Libya; production there had been shut down from February to October, 2011. The decrease in income from participations in the second quarter of 2012 resulted chiefly from lower earnings at OAO Severneftegazprom, which is accounted for using the equity method.

5 – Other operating income and expenses

Other operating income (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Income from currency conversion and foreign currency transactions 9 51 55 161
Gains on the disposal of property, plant and equipment 7 16 20 27
Reversal and adjustment of provisions 2 2 3 3
Gains on the reversal of allowances for doubtful receivables 6 7 15 22
Revenue from miscellaneous typical business activities 5 (3) 41 19
Miscellaneous 142 212 1,062 338
Other operating income 171 285 1,196 570

Other operating expenses (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Losses from currency conversion and foreign currency transactions 82 45 158 134
Losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment 8 5 16 7
Expenses from the addition of allowances for doubtful receivables 10 8 21 20
Oil and gas exploration expenses 75 30 98 83
Miscellaneous 394 422 1,022 1,099
Other operating expenses 569 510 1,315 1,343

The decline in income from foreign currency transactions was particularly due to lower gains from the hedging of projected sales denominated in U.S. dollars compared with the previous year.

The rise in income reported in Miscellaneous in the first half of 2012 arose primarily from the €645 million gain on the disposal of our fertilizer business as well as from higher payments related to the previous year's earnings in the fertilizer business. In the second quarter of 2011, income of €68 million resulting from the repeal of an E.U. fine imposed on the former Ciba in 2009 was included in this item.

Miscellaneous expenses declined as a result of the reversal of provisions for the long-term incentive (LTI) program due to the lower share price. Contrasting this were impairment charges on a Norwegian oil field development project.

6 – Financial result

Million € 2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Income from companies accounted for using the equity method 19 3 91 61
Income from participations in affiliated and associated companies 20 27 26 31
Income from the disposal of participations 1 3 3 890
Income from profit transfer agreements 8 3 11 5
Income from tax allocation to participating interests 1 2 2
Other income from participations 30 33 42 928
Losses from loss transfer agreements (3) (3) (4) (4)
Write-downs of / losses from the sale of participations (14) (1) (14)
Other expenses from participations (3) (17) (5) (18)
Interest income from cash and cash equivalents 38 36 78 61
Interest and dividend income from securities and loans 3 6 6 9
Interest income 41 42 84 70
Interest expense (193) (184) (377) (364)
Write-ups/profits from the sale of securities and loans
Expected income from plan assets to cover pensions and similar obligations 209 201 417 403
Income from plan assets to cover other long-term personnel obligations 1 16 8
Income from the capitalization of construction interest 16 24 30 45
Miscellaneous financial income (4) 28
Other financial income 226 221 463 484
Write-downs/losses from the disposal of securities and loans (1) (1)
Interest cost on pension obligations and other similar obligations (217) (204) (432) (410)
Expenses from other long-term employee obligations (4) (1) (16) (14)
Interest cost on other long-term liabilities (12) (13) (26) (27)
Miscellaneous financial expenses 1 (9)
Other financial expenses (232) (219) (483) (452)
Financial result (112) (121) (185) 709

The increase in income from companies accounted for using the equity method resulted primarily from the adoption of the equity method for Styrolution Holding GmbH as of the fourth quarter of 2011; the previous year also included negative earnings effects from the proportional consolidation of the South Korean Heesung Catalysts Corporation. This was partly offset by lower earnings from OAO Severneftegazprom compared with the same period of the previous year.

The interest result fell year-on-year due to higher interest expenses, which were chiefly the result of higher interest expenses from financial indebtedness in Asia and Brazil.

The higher level of expected income from pension plan assets is attributable to the increase in plan assets compared with the same period of the previous year.

7 – Income taxes

Income before taxes and minority interests (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Germany 683 775 1,401 2,359
Foreign oil production branches of German companies 565 (15) 1,143 351
Other foreign 869 1,336 2,620 2,766
Income before taxes and minority interests 2,117 2,096 5,164 5,476

Income taxes (million €)

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Germany 243 215 426 413
Foreign oil production branches of German companies 530 (18) 1,068 316
Thereof non-compensable 445 896 280
Other foreign 53 348 538 650
826 545 2,032 1,379
Tax rate (%) 39.0 26.0 39.3 25.2

Higher non-compensable income taxes on oil-producing operations led to an increase in the tax rate. The lower tax burden for Other foreign resulted mainly from tax reliefs on exploration activities in Norway.

The sale of our shares in K+S Aktiengesellschaft in the first quarter of 2011 was nearly tax-free. As a result, the tax rate rose year-on-year.

8 – Minority interests

Million € 2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Minority interests in profits 79 96 197 232
Minority interests in losses (17) 1 (18)
Minority interests 62 97 179 232

Higher minority interests in profits resulted primarily from natural gas trading companies as well as Gazprom's stake in a German Wintershall subsidiary that holds production and exploration rights in Libya. Particularly at BASF PETRONAS Chemicals Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia, there were fewer minority interests in profits. There were minority interests in losses mostly at BASF FINA Petrochemicals L.P. in Port Arthur, Texas, as a result of the scheduled shutdown and maintenance of the site's steam cracker.

9 – Earnings per share

2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Net income million € 1,229 1,454 2,953 3,865
Number of outstanding shares (weighted average) in thousands 918,479 918,479 918,479 918,479
Earnings per share 1.34 1.59 3.22 4.21

The calculation of earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The calculation of diluted earnings per common share reflects all possible outstanding common shares and the resulting effect on income of the BASF employee incentive share program "plus."

In the second quarter of 2012, and in the corresponding period of 2011, there was no dilutive effect; undiluted earnings per share were the same as the diluted value per share.

10 – Long-term assets

Development (million €)

1st Half 2012
Intangible
assets
Property, plant
and equipment
Investments
accounted for
using the equity
method and other
financial assets
Acquisition costs
Balance as of January 1 15,113 57,403 2,967
Additions 279 1,631 80
Disposals (625) (307) (29)
Transfers 58 36 38
Exchange differences 136 418 4
Balance as of June 30 14,961 59,181 3,060
Amortization and depreciation
Balance as of January 1 3,194 39,437 267
Additions 302 1,371
Disposals (615) (270) (14)
Transfers 4 4 (3)
Exchange differences 15 258
Balance as of June 30 2,900 40,800 250
Net book value as of June 30 12,061 18,381 2,810

Development (million €)

1st Half 2011
Intangible
assets
Property, plant
and equipment
Investments
accounted for
using the equity
method and other
financial assets
Acquisition costs
Balance as of January 1 15,232 54,732 3,544
Additions 154 1,227 56
Disposals (303) (335) (1,290)
Transfers 45 27 33
Exchange differences (383) (1,070) (17)
Balance as of June 30 14,745 54,581 2,326
Amortization and depreciation
Balance as of January 1 2,987 37,491 263
Additions 367 1,246 1
Disposals (286) (292) (4)
Transfers 4 2 (3)
Exchange differences (57) (642)
Balance as of June 30 3,015 37,805 257
Net book value as of June 30 11,730 16,776 2,069

Additions to property, plant and equipment in the first half of 2012 arose from a number of investments. The most significant investments were related to the construction of production facilities for L-menthol and methanesulfonic acid in Ludwigshafen, the construction of natural gas pipelines and natural gas storage facilities in Europe, and investments for maintenance and expansion purposes, in particular at the sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Geismar, Louisiana; Port Arthur, Texas; and Nanjing, China. The amortization and depreciation of property, plant and equipment includes €106 million in impairment charges, which are primarily related to a Norwegian oil field development project.

In intangible assets, disposals are primarily related to the derecognition of fully amortized distribution and supply rights and IT licenses. Transfers include the addition of free emission rights for 2012 and the derecognition of the expired emission rights for 2011, as well as fluctuations in fair value.

11 – Short-term assets

Million € June 30, 2012 June 30, 2011 Dec. 31, 2011
Raw materials and factory supplies 2,846 2,576 2,922
Work-in-process, finished goods and merchandise 7,434 6,790 7,034
Advance payments and services-in-process 161 124 103
Inventories 10,441 9,490 10,059
Accounts receivables, trade 12,473 10,874 10,886
Other receivables and miscellaneous short-term assets 3,782 3,537 3,781
Marketable securities 25 15 19
Cash and cash equivalents 2,218 1,838 2,048
Assets of disposal groups 1,019 295
Other short-term assets 6,025 6,409 6,143
Short-term assets 28,939 26,773 27,088

Work-in-process, finished goods and merchandise are combined into one item due to production conditions in the chemical industry. Services-in-process relate primarily to services not invoiced as of the balance sheet date. Inventories are valued using the weighted average cost method.

Trade accounts receivable increased compared with December 31, 2011, due to higher sales in the Functional Solutions and Agricultural Solutions segments, as well as to currency effects.

12 – Equity

Authorized capital

At the Annual Shareholders' Meeting of April 30, 2009, shareholders authorized the Board of Executive Directors, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, to increase the subscribed capital by up to €500 million by issuing new shares against cash through April 30, 2014. The Board of Executive Directors is empowered, following the approval of the Supervisory Board, to decide on the exclusion of shareholders' subscription rights for these new shares in certain predefined cases covered by the enabling resolution. Until now, this option has not been exercised and no new shares were issued.

Retained earnings

Transfers from Other retained earnings increased legal reserves by €315 million in the first half of 2012. The offsetting of actuarial gains and losses, as well as the asset ceiling, resulted in a reduction in retained earnings of €1,345 million in the first half of 2012 and an increase of €46 million in the same period of 2011.

Reserves (million €)

June 30, 2012 Dec. 31, 2011
Legal reserves 698 383
Other retained earnings 18,070 19,063
Retained earnings 18,768 19,446

Payment of dividends

In accordance with the resolution of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on April 27, 2012, BASF SE paid a dividend of €2.50 per share from the retained profit of the 2011 fiscal year. With 918,478,694 shares entitled to dividends, this amounts to a total dividend payout of €2,296,196,735.00.

13 – Provisions for pensions

Assumptions used to determine the defined benefit obligation (weighted average in %)

Germany Foreign
June 30, 2012 Dec. 31, 2011 June 30, 2012 Dec. 31, 2011
Discount rate 4.00 5.00 3.69 4.34
Projected increase of wages and salaries 2.75 2.75 3.71 3.71
Projected pension increase 2.00 2.00 0.70 0.70

Assumptions used to determine expenses for pension benefits (from January 1 through June 30 of the respective year; weighted average in %)

Germany Foreign
2012 2011 2012 2011
Discount rate 5.00 5.00 4.34 4.74
Projected increase of wages and salaries 2.75 2.75 3.71 3.79
Projected pension increase 2.00 1.75 0.70 1.00
Expected return on plan assets 5.28 5.28 5.66 5.49

The assumptions used to ascertain the defined benefit obligation as of December 31, 2011, are used in the reporting year 2012 to determine the expenses for pension plans.

The expected long-term rate of return is based on the target asset allocation and the weighted average rate of expected returns of each individual asset class. The forecasts are based on long-term historical average returns and take into consideration the current yield level and the inflation trend.

The discounting of pension obligations is based on market yields on high-quality, fixed-rate corporate bonds in the matching currency as of the balance sheet date. In the first half

of 2012, developments in the capital markets led to a considerable reduction of the average weighted discount rate. The rise in pension obligations resulting from the adjustment of the discount rate is the main reason for the €1,855 million increase in provisions for pensions as of June 30, 2012. The actual return on assets exceeded assumptions; in total, actuarial losses of €1,957 million were recognized directly in equity, taking into account deferred taxes of €611 million.

14 – Other provisions

Development of other provisions in first half 2012 (million €)

January 1,
2012
Additions Accrued
interest
Utilization Reversals Other
changes
June 30,
2012
Restoration obligations 983 5 20 (12) 6 1,002
Environmental protection and remediation costs 659 64 1 (93) (2) (2) 627
Employee obligations 1,876 841 6 (1,060) (40) (7) 1,616
Sales and purchase risks 665 614 (165) (17) 13 1,110
Restructuring measures 198 67 (46) (6) 11 224
Legal costs, damage claims, guarantees and
related commitments
190 7 6 (8) (1) (4) 190
Other 1,974 493 (387) (50) 7 2,037
Total 6,545 2,091 33 (1,771) (116) 24 6,806

In the first half of 2012, there were significant changes in the provisions for employee obligations. Additions to provisions for variable compensation were more than offset by the utilization of provisions for variable compensation payments for the past fiscal year. In addition, the Agricultural Solutions segment posted a seasonal increase in sales provisions. Other includes longterm tax provisions as well as further present obligations and accruals.

15 – Liabilities

Liabilities (million €)

June 30, 2012 June 30, 2011 Dec. 31, 2011
Short-term Long-term Short-term Long-term Short-term Long-term
Accounts payable, trade 5,758 4,820 5,121
Bonds and other liabilities to the capital market 3,522 7,198 2,936 8,815 2,942 7,358
Liabilities to credit institutions 1,359 1,663 920 1,424 1,043 1,661
Financial indebtedness 4,881 8,861 3,856 10,239 3,985 9,019
Tax liabilities 1,463 1,374 1,038
Advances received on orders 114 79 272
Liabilities on bills 34 4 46 2 46 4
Liabilities related to social security 171 21 162 23 152 23
Miscellaneous liabilities 2,182 908 2,008 686 2,438 942
Deferred income 343 176 321 214 128 173
Other liabilities 2,844 1,109 2,616 925 3,036 1,142

Financial indebtedness (million €)

Carrying amounts based on effective
interest method
Nominal
value
(million,
in issuing
currency)
Effective
interest
rate
June 30,
2012
Dec. 31,
2011
June 30,
2011
3.375% Euro Bond 2005/2012 of BASF SE 1,400 3.42% 1,400 1,400
3.75% Euro Bond 2009/2012 of BASF SE 1,350 3.97% 1,3531 1,356 1,346
4.5% Euro Bond 2006/2016 of BASF SE 500 4.62% 498 498 497
4.25% Euro Bond 2009/2016 of BASF SE 200 4.40% 199 199 199
5.875% GBP Bond 2009/2017 of BASF SE 400 6.04% 493 475 440
4.625% Euro Bond 2009/2017 of BASF SE 300 4.69% 299 299 299
6% Euro Bond 2008/2013 of BASF Finance Europe N.V. 1,250 6.15% 1,248 1,247 1,246
5% Euro Bond 2007/2014 of BASF Finance Europe N.V. 1,000 5.09% 998 998 997
5% Euro Bond 2007/2014 of BASF Finance Europe N.V. 250 4.83% 251 251 251
3.625% CHF Bond 2008/2015 of BASF Finance Europe N.V. 200 3.77% 165 164 165
5.125% Euro Bond 2009/2015 of BASF Finance Europe N.V. 1,500 5.30% 1,493 1,492 1,491
5.125% Euro Bond 2009/2015 of BASF Finance Europe N.V. 500 4.38% 510 511 513
4.5% Euro Medium Term Note 2009/2016 of BASF Finance Europe N.V. 150 4.56% 150 150 150
3.25% CHF Bond 2006/2012 of Ciba Spezialitätenchemie Finanz AG 225 3.32% 186 184 184
4.875% Euro Bond 2003/2018 of Ciba Spec. Chem. Finance Luxemburg S.A. 477 4.88% 414 409 405
USD Commercial Paper 2,239 1,778 1,535
Other bonds 685 667 634
Bonds and other liabilities to the capital market 10,720 10,300 11,752
Liabilities to credit institutions 3,022 2,704 2,343
Financial indebtedness 13,742 13,004 14,095

1Interest rate swaps were performed in July 2011 to hedge against interest rate risks for the 3.75% Euro Bond of BASF SE. Fair value hedge accounting is applied in this context, resulting in an adjustment of the carrying amount of the bond by €4 million.

16 – Related-party transactions

Material supply relationships exist for the supply of gas between companies of the BASF Group and the proportionally consolidated joint venture companies Wintershall Erdgas Handelshaus GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin, and Wintershall Erdgas Handelshaus Zug AG, Zug, Switzerland. These transactions are conducted at arm's length prices and business terms. The unconsolidated portion of these sales amounted to €533 million in the first half of 2012 and €443 million in the same period of 2011.

In addition, there are material supply relationships with the jointlycontrolled entities Ellba C.V., the Netherlands, and Ellba Eastern Private Ltd., Singapore. The unconsolidated portion of these sales amounted to €280 million in the first half of 2012 and €246 million in the same period of 2011. Substantial sales with associated companies and other participations are related to Styrolution Belgium N.V., Antwerp, Belgium; Styrolution South East Asia Pte. Ltd., Singapore; and Styrolution GmbH, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Sales with these companies amounted to €957 million in the first half of 2012 and €1,529 million in the same period of 2011. These companies were fully consolidated until September 30, 2011.

There were no reportable related party transactions with members of the Board of Executive Directors or the Supervisory Board and their related parties.

Calculation of Adjusted Earnings per Share

Million € 2nd Quarter 1st Half
2012 2011 2012 2011
Income before taxes and minority interests 2,117 2,096 5,164 5,476
Special items 261 49 (327) (656)
Amortization of intangible assets 150 165 302 367
Amortization of intangible assets contained in the special items (30)
Adjusted income before taxes and minority interests 2,528 2,310 5,139 5,157
Adjusted income taxes 987 605 2,040 1,530
Adjusted income before minority interests 1,541 1,705 3,099 3,627
Adjusted minority interests 64 97 184 234
Adjusted net income 1,477 1,608 2,915 3,393
Weighted average number of outstanding shares
in thousands
918,479 918,479 918,479 918,479
Adjusted earnings per share
1.60 1.75 3.17 3.69

The earnings per share figure adjusted for special items and amortization of intangible assets has become internationally established as a key figure that can be compared over the course of time and is particularly suitable for forecasts of future earnings.

The special items are primarily the result of the integration of acquired businesses, restructuring measures, impairment losses, and gains or losses resulting from divestitures and sales of participations. These involve expenses and income that do not arise in conjunction with ordinary business activities. Intangible assets primarily result from purchase price allocation following acquisitions. The amortization of intangible assets is therefore of a temporary nature.

The calculation of earnings per share in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is presented in the Notes on page 30. Adjusted income before taxes and minority interests, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are key ratios that are not defined under IFRS. They should not be viewed in isolation, but rather treated as supplementary information.

Statement in Accordance with Section 37y and Section 37w (2) No. 3 of the German Securities Trading Act

To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable reporting principles for interim financial reporting, the Interim Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit situation of the Group, and the Interim Management's Analysis includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected development of the Group in the remainder of the financial year.

Ludwigshafen, July 24, 2012 BASF SE The Board of Executive Directors

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current estimates and projections of BASF management and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BASF to be materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include those discussed from pages 104 to 112 in the BASF Report 2011. The BASF Report can be found online at: basf.com/report. We do not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this report.

Interim Report 3rd Quarter 2012

Oct. 25, 2012

Full Year Results 2012

Feb. 26, 2013

Annual Shareholders' Meeting 2013 / Interim Report 1st Quarter 2013

April 26, 2013

Interim Report 1st Half 2013

July 25, 2013

Further Information Contact

Published on July 26, 2012

You can find this and other BASF publications

• by telephone: +49 621 60-99001

General inquiries Phone: +49 621 60-0, Fax: +49 621 60-42525

Corporate Media Relations Jennifer Moore-Braun, Phone: +49 621 60-99123, Fax: +49 621 60-92693

Investor Relations Magdalena Moll, Tel.: +49 621 60-48230, Fax: +49 621 60-22500

Internet

BASF SE, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany

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