BASF reported third-quarter 2026 sales of €16.4 billion, up 14% from €14.3 billion a year earlier. The gain was driven mainly by considerably higher prices (plus 12%) and slightly higher volumes (plus 2%).
EBITDA before special items rose 15% year on year to €1.6 billion, and the margin before special items held at 10.0%. The Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care segments all posted considerable earnings increases, offsetting declines in Agricultural Solutions and Surface Technologies.
Agricultural Solutions recorded negative EBITDA before special items of €48 million, hurt by a 17% volume decline and 5% price decrease. EBIT was negative €98 million, reflecting €437 million in special items tied to restructuring, mainly at Ludwigshafen, and a Care Chemicals legal settlement.
BASF narrowed its 2026 EBITDA guidance before special items upward to €7.4–7.8 billion, from a previous range of €6.9–7.7 billion. Free cash flow in the quarter was €523 million, up from €398 million a year earlier.
The company said the Middle East conflict had supported significantly higher prices, particularly in upstream businesses.
