BASF Completes Spin-Off of Automotive Catalysts Business: Introducing BASF Catalysts and Metal Solutions (ECMS)

BASF has completed the spin-off of its automotive catalysts and related precious metals services business, naming the independent entity "BASF Catalysts and Metal Solutions" (ECMS). The intention to separate this entity was announced by BASF in December 2021, and it was expected to take 18 months to complete.

Dr. Markus Kamieth, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF and responsible for the Surface Treatment business, stated, "We have achieved this important milestone on time while ensuring business continuity for our customers, partners, and employees. With the support of numerous BASF and external experts, the ECMS team has performed excellently in fulfilling its responsibilities related to the spin-off, while continuing to focus on providing customers with competitive, cost-effective, and innovative solutions, and achieving outstanding business results."

ECMS operates in 15 countries worldwide, with 20 production sites and over 4,500 employees. As an independent entity, ECMS will operate its own legal entity, information technology (IT) system architecture, and services. The ECMS business will continue to be consolidated into BASF's Catalysts division within the Surface Treatment business sector.

Dirk Bremm, President and CEO of ECMS, added, "I am incredibly proud of our team for achieving the milestone of becoming an independent entity. With our industry-leading innovative technologies, we continue to gain new platforms and, through this successful spin-off, seize market opportunities with entrepreneurial spirit and agility to meet increasingly stringent regulations for light- and heavy-duty vehicle emissions. Additionally, we will further develop circular solutions and the hydrogen economy."

ECMS is a global leader in automotive catalysts for emissions control, producing catalysts for gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles (including non-road vehicles), motorcycles, aviation, and other applications. It is not only a significant supplier of related precious metal products, trading, and services but also the largest recycler of precious metals from end-of-life automotive catalysts.

The entity's urban mining facilities refine materials containing platinum group metals (PGMs) to standards exceeding commercial-grade industrial requirements, which are then reused in the manufacturing of new automotive and chemical catalysts. Compared to primary mining of PGMs, recycling precious metals reduces CO2 emissions by 97%, promoting the circular economy and sustainable development.

ECMS aims to grow in areas such as further developing precious metal recycling, catalyst-based products and services, and designing both ends of the hydrogen economy value chain—hydrogen production through electrolysis and the use of hydrogen gas in fuel cell electric vehicles. The team is also currently working on next-generation electrolysis catalysts to build better electrolyzers and reduce the cost of green hydrogen production.