BASF creates new division for emissions catalysts and precious metals services businesses

BASF has completed the carve-out of its mobile emissions catalysts and precious metal services businesses and named the separate legal entity BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS). The company’s intention to carve out the entity was first announced in December 2021 with an expected completion timeframe of 18 months.

ECMS is a global leader in emissions catalysts and produces mobile emission catalysts for petrol, diesel and off-road vehicles, motorcycles, small engines and other applications. It is also a prominent supplier of precious metal products, trading and services and is the largest recycler of precious metals from spent automotive catalysts. ECMS operates globally in 15 countries with over 4,500 employees and 20 production sites.

“We have reached this important milestone on time while retaining business continuity for our customers, partners and employees,” said Dr. Markus Kamieth, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, responsible for the Surface Technologies segment. “The ECMS team, supported by many BASF and external experts, has done a tremendous job of managing carve-out-related responsibilities while continuing their focus on competitive, cost-effective and innovative solutions for customers, and delivering excellent business results.”

ECMS has global operations in 15 countries with over 4,500 employees and 20 production sites. As a standalone entity, ECMS operates its own legal entities, IT system landscape and services independently. The ECMS business will continue to be reported as part of the Catalysts division in the Surface Technologies segment.

Dirk Bremm, President and CEO of ECMS, said: “With our industry leading innovations, we are winning new platforms and are well positioned through this successful carve-out to be agile and entrepreneurial in taking hold of market opportunities in step with the more stringent light- and heavy-duty emissions regulations. Additionally, we will further pursue growth areas in circular solutions and the hydrogen economy.”

The entity’s urban mine refines platinum group metals (PGMs) containing materials to a purity exceeding commercial grade industry standards that are fed back into manufacturing of new automotive and chemical catalysts. The recycling of precious metals emits 97 percent less CO2 than refining primary – or mined – PGMs, enabling the circular economy and sustainability.

ECMS’s pursuit of growth areas includes further development of precious metals recycling and catalysts-based products and services on both ends of the hydrogen economy value chain – hydrogen production via water electrolysis and hydrogen use in fuel cell electric vehicles. The team is also working on next generation electrocatalysts that enable construction of even better electrolyzers and, as a result, bring down the costs of green hydrogen production.