BASF celebrates its 150th anniversary

How the international chemicals giant marked this notable milestone in style.

Ludwigshafen, Germany-based BASF recently celebrated the 150th year since its founding as the Badische Anilin & Sodafabrik. Before an audience of more than 1,000 guests representing government, business, science and society, Dr Kurt Bock, chairman of the board of executive directors of BASF SE, declared that 150 years is a special company anniversary – an opportunity to look back and reflect, but also to look forward. Emphasising the esteem in which BASF is held, German chancellor Dr Angela Merkel and Malu Dreyer, minister-president of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate also spoke to congratulate the company on its achievement.

Over the years, BASF has grown to employ some 113,000 members of staff in 80 countries, and at the anniversary event its history was shown in a multimedia presentation filling 15 large screens. BASF’s chairman thanked the company’s customers, suppliers, service providers and partners, commenting how they had worked closely together for decades, growing together, pioneering new technologies and thus expanding into new markets. Also at the celebration were many BASF employees who won a draw to attend the event, as well as employees with birthdays on April 6th – the day the company was founded.

The anniversary event also saw the premiere of the Symphony No 8: Water Dances’, which British composer Michael Nyman wrote especially for BASF’s anniversary. Mr Nyman was said to have been inspired by typical company sounds, which employees worldwide collected and submitted during 2014. The work was performed by the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and led by Spanish conductor Josep Vicent.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 46 of the June 2015 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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