Chemicals major BASF of Germany is celebrating its 150^th anniversary today (April 23, 2015) in Feierabendhaus in Ludwigshafen. 

"150 years is a special anniversary – an occasion to pause for review and reflection, but also to look ahead," said Dr. Kurt Bock, CEO of BASF SE. German chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel and Malu Dreyer, minister president of Rhineland-Palatinate, BASF were present at a function which saw than 1,000 international guests from politics, business, science and society.

From a company with 30 employees, BASF has grown in the past 150 years to the world's leading chemical company with approximately 113,000 employees in 80 countries. "If we are successful today, this is also the fact that years ago the right course has been set. In the chemical industry, we always build on the achievements of our predecessors, "said Bock.

BASF's Automotive Solutions division caters to the ever-changing automotive landscape — from the impact of megatrends to how the company’s innovations are evolving today's vehicles. And the contribution is across several areas including sustainability, emissions reduction, fuel efficiency, safety, design, coatings, comfort, e-mobility, heat management, lightweighting and even design.

The BASF chairman thanked customers, suppliers, service providers and partners of the company: "We are pleased that many of you are from all over the world here. We have worked closely for decades, we have grown together, together we have helped the breakthrough technologies and so open up new markets. "

"All this we only succeeded with a powerful and motivated management team and the commitment of each employee. We pride ourselves on the expertise and dedication of this team and how it cooperates worldwide. At our locations around the world, we will duly celebrate this, "said Bock. 

 BASF posted 2014 revenues of € 74 billion.