- Production of glufosinate-ammonium at Knapsack and Frankfurt sites will cease by end of 2024.
- Formulation in Frankfurt will end in 2025, followed by facility shutdowns.
- Approximately 300 jobs will be retained until end of 2025, then gradually reduced.
- The company will source glufosinate-ammonium from third-party suppliers.
Production Cessation
BASF plans to cease production of the active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium (GA) at the Knapsack and Frankfurt sites in Germany by the end of 2024 due to economic reasons. The GA formulation in Frankfurt will end in 2025, after which both production facilities will be shut down. Glufosinate-ammonium remains a key component of BASF’s global herbicide portfolio.
Economic Challenges
BASF’s GA production is increasingly affected by rising competition from generic manufacturers, alternative technologies, and high energy and raw material costs. Despite cost reductions at both production facilities, BASF’s volume and profitability development is insufficient. As a result, BASF is restructuring its production network and will source the active ingredient from third-party suppliers in the future to secure long-term competitiveness and profitability in the GA market.
Impact on Employment
All jobs, approximately 300, will be retained until the end of 2025, and then gradually reduced in consultation with employee representatives. The company will work closely with the employees to assist in finding future employment opportunities.
Future Focus
Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors at BASF, expressed regret over the discontinuation of production at the two sites despite the high commitment of employees. He emphasized BASF’s commitment to providing top-quality GA solutions and focusing on the development of next-generation GA solutions that achieve the same results with significantly lower application rates, benefiting farmers in the Americas and Asia.
Glufosinate-Ammonium
The active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium is one of the most widely used broad-spectrum herbicides and controls weeds in a variety of crops worldwide.
