Chemical company BASF increased its third-quarter 2026 sales by 14 percent year on year to 16.4 billion euros. Earnings rose considerably in most core businesses, including the Materials segment, and the company raised its EBITDA outlook for 2026.
Higher prices and volumes
According to BASF’s quarterly release of 28 October 2026, the sales increase was driven by prices up 12 percent and volumes up 2 percent, with currency effects, particularly the US dollar and the Chinese renminbi, also contributing. EBITDA before special items rose by 15 percent to 1.6 billion euros, with the margin level with the prior year at 10.0 percent. Net income for the quarter was 155 million euros (prior year: 172 million euros), and free cash flow came to 523 million euros.
Segment picture
In the Materials segment, prices were considerably higher and volumes slightly higher, and earnings rose considerably. Earnings also increased considerably in Chemicals, Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care, while Agricultural Solutions and Surface Technologies reported lower earnings. The quarter included special items of 437 million euros, mainly related to restructuring at Ludwigshafen, and an impairment of 318 million euros in the Monomers division.
2026 outlook raised
BASF raised its 2026 forecast for EBITDA before special items to 7.4 to 7.8 billion euros, from 6.9 to 7.7 billion euros in the Half-Year Report 2026. The free cash flow forecast of 1.5 to 2.3 billion euros was kept unchanged. Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors Dr. Markus Kamieth said the strong year-to-date performance of the core businesses gives the company confidence.
Sources
- BASF, “Strength across all core businesses drives BASF Group’s considerable growth in EBITDA before special items”, 28 October 2026, basf.com
Image: BASF
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