Chemical company BASF South Africa has celebrated achieving Level 1 broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) status. The company, the local subsidiary of the Germany-based global BASF group, was the first multinational chemical company to achieve this ranking.

“Achieving Level 1 BBBEE status is a proud moment for BASF South Africa and far more than a compliance milestone,” highlighted BASF South Africa MD Wojciech Kulma. “It reflects our deep commitment to transformation and responsible corporate citizenship. Through investment in people, empowerment of local suppliers, advancement of opportunities for women, and community development, we are shaping an inclusive and sustainable future that drives progress. This is how we create shared value and lasting impact for generations to come.”

The company underwent its first BBBEE audit verification in 2009. In 2017, through the BASF South Africa Trust, it achieved 30%-ownership by black women. Now, having gained Level 1 status, its customers could now count 135% of their procurement spend on BASF towards their own BBBEE scorecards.

“While this Level 1 rating is a proud milestone, it also reinforces the responsibility we carry,” affirmed BASF South Africa finance, tax and controlling – Africa head and BBBEE committee chairperson Pfarelo Mutwanamba. “We remain committed to building an inclusive supply chain, equipping young people with critical skills, uplifting communities, and driving sustainable transformation that delivers measurable impact across our businesses and society.”

As part of its commitment to transformation, BASF South Africa is supporting more than 60 women and girl students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, across the country. It provides bursaries, technical training, leadership programmes and a comprehensive graduate programme. The 2025/26 cycle included 15 graduates, 12 learners with disabilities, seven interns at production sites, and 11 apprentices. Some of the recipients of bursaries were children of employees.

Further, the BASF South Africa Trust sought to promote gender equality in STEM by providing bursaries to black women students in the fields of chemistry, other sciences, and engineering. Currently, the programme supports more than 60 such students, at tertiary institutions around the country.