BASF cuts research jobs by 20%

25 November 2002 00:00  [Source: ICB]

BASF is cutting the number of jobs in crop protection R&D by more than 20% to about 1130 within the next three years.

Around 300 positions will go, 100 over the next three years at its Ludwigshafen and Limburgerhof, Germany, units.

The rest will be shared between sites at Gosport, UK, and Nelspruit, South Africa, and at other centres. BASF is pulling out of the Gosport and Nelspruit R&D sites altogether though other companies will remain. Discussions are underway for these partners to absorb BASF's activities at these sites.

In a realignment of its crop protection R&D, BASF said active ingredient research will be intensified in insecticides and fungicides. The promising area of seed treatment has been added and it will strengthen its position in this area after the acquisition of several products from compatriot Bayer. Capacity in herbicide research is being reduced to reflect the declining market.

Hans Reiners, president of BASF's agricultural products division, said: 'We are actively meeting the challenges posed by rapid developments in the crop protection market. R&D continues to be one of our core competencies in agricultural products.' He said the new products F500 and Boscalid were success stories.

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