By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : November 12, 2025 8:04 am
Decisions mark key steps on the way to IPO readiness by 2027
BASF is targeting the Frankfurt stock exchange as the listing location for its Agricultural Solutions business.
The planned initial public offering (IPO) of Agricultural Solutions as a European company (Societas Europaea, SE) represents a major milestone in BASF’s “Winning Ways” strategy.
It will establish the standalone business as an independent, pure-play agricultural company with global reach, robust growth prospects and strong cash flow generation.
BASF will remain the majority shareholder and will continue to benefit from the company’s growth and success, while implementing market customary corporate governance.
Dr. Markus Kamieth, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, said: “The planned listing of our Agricultural Solutions business will mark the next decisive step to unlock additional value for our shareholders. Today, we are happy to present its Management Board, which combines extensive industry expertise with the required capital market experience. We look forward to their contributions in driving the transformation of Agricultural Solutions into an independently steered pure play, which will foster a sustainable future for agriculture through accelerated innovation and enhanced customer focus.”
As of May 1, 2026, a new Management Board will lead Agricultural Solutions through its transition to an independent, publicly listed company. It will comprise four members:
Dr. Livio Tedeschi (54), President, BASF Agricultural Solutions, will assume overall responsibility as the Head of the Management Board. He will also become member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE with responsibility for the Agricultural Solutions segment effective May 1, 2026, as previously announced.
Sascha Bibert (50) will join BASF Agricultural Solutions from Vallourec SA and, as Member of the Management Board, be in charge of Finance.
Maximilian Becker (39), Senior Vice President Vegetable Seeds, BASF Agricultural Solutions, will, as Member of the Management Board, be in charge of Business.
Dr. Melanie Bausen-Wiens (50), Senior Vice President Regulatory, Stewardship & Public Affairs, BASF Agricultural Solutions, will, as Member of the Management Board, be in charge of Technology.
“For over a century, Agricultural Solutions has supported farmers and breeders with innovations that thelp them grow their crops to their full potential. As we move forward as a fully integrated company with proven strengths in crop protection, seeds and traits, digital farming, and sustainability, we are uniquely positioned to serve evolving customer needs, while continuing to advance agriculture and create sustainable, resilient food systems for generations to come,” said Tedeschi, incoming member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and Head of the Management Board of Agricultural Solutions. “Together with the new Management Board and our teams worldwide, we will turn our strategy and vision into reality – opening a new chapter for our business to become publicly listed.”
Agricultural Solutions is being separated from BASF into own legal entities and is introducing an industry-specific ERP system. This transition has already been successfully accomplished in North America; for the remaining regions it will be completed by early 2027.