BASF

Last edited by apocalypticbeef on July 11, 2008 - 12:25pm

Company Snapshot:

BASF Aktiengesellschaft (BASF) is the second largest transnational chemical company that comprises the parent company, BASF Aktiengesellschaft of Ludwigshafen, Germany, and 327 consolidated subsidiaries. The Company operates more than 150 production sites. It's primary products include chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products & nutrition, and oil & gas. Behind Dow Chemical BASF is one of the worlds largest suppliers of inorganics, herbicides, insecticides, cosmetics and more recently biotechnology and genetically modified foods.

Ownership status:

Publicly traded

Number of employees worldwide:

95,247 (2006)

Chief executive officer:

Kurt Bock

2008 Global Fortune 500 rank:

Website:

http://www.corporate.basf.com/en/

Corporate accountability

Environment and product safety:

The most recent controversy involving BASF has revolved around the recent development and testing of a GM (genetically modified) potato called Amflora. Still awaiting authorization by the EU to begin commercial production, this high-starch potato is designed specifically for industrial applications in paper making, adhesives, textiles, construction and cosmetics. Although BASF claims that the potato would be safe for human and animal consumption, certain organizations such as the Antibacterial Agents Unit in Paris believe that it could build resistance to antibiotics in humans and have other unforeseen side effects.

GM foods are currently being introduced in all corners of the globe with little long-term research into their eventual effects. Friends of the Earth International, a network of environmental activist organizations, has released an extensive report detailing the global performance of GM crops. Entitled Who Benefits from GM crops? this report can on found on their website.