BASF is reorganizing its global research activities. In the course of the second quarter of 2022, they will be bundled in a central research unit based in Ludwigshafen. Detlef Kratz, president, will lead the new central division, which will have approximately 3,500 employees. Kratz currently heads BASF’s Process Research & Chemical Engineering division in Ludwigshafen.

At the same time, around 1,800 researchers will move to operating divisions – and thus work even more closely with the business units. This will further strengthen the customer focus of research and development.

Jianfeng Jeffrey Lou, president, Advanced Materials & Systems Research, BASF Advanced Chemicals Co., Ltd., Shanghai, will take over as head of Greater China, BASF (China) Company Ltd., Shanghai, on Jan. 1, 2022.

Stephan Kothrade, president, Greater China, BASF (China) Company Ltd, Shanghai, will take over as head of the Intermediates division, Ludwigshafen, Germany, on the same date. The current head of the division, Andrea Frenzel (51), president, will take a sabbatical at her own request.