Hundreds of BASF workers protested in Berlin on Friday over plans to cut jobs at the chemical giant's German operations and shift them to Asia. The demonstration is the latest sign of the mounting pressures on Germany's traditional industries, as Europe's biggest economy continues to grapple with high energy costs, weak demand and fierce global competition.
The planned cuts target a major BASF office in Berlin that employs around 3,000 administrative staff, making it the European hub of the company's global business services division. BASF confirmed on Friday that back-office jobs would be reduced at the Berlin site, though it did not specify a figure. A range of administrative tasks will in future be carried out at a new site to be established in India, as well as at an existing centre in Malaysia, the company said.
Around 300 protesters gathered outside the BASF offices in Berlin, waving the red and white flags of the IGBCE chemical workers union and holding placards reading "Broken Agreements, Sacrificed Futures." Other signs played on the company's name with messages such as "Berliners Axed, Shareholders Flourishing" and "Budget Above Staff Futures?"
"What BASF is doing is not right," Jesus Pinate, who works in BASF's HR division, told AFP at the protest. "They are taking away important jobs, a bunch of people are going to be unemployed," the 33-year-old added. Union representatives slammed the plans to "relocate large parts" of the Berlin operation to India and accused management of breaching existing agreements.
"I think we're all disappointed," said Iris Esteves, a 40-year-old taking part in the demonstration. "I feel uncertain about the future. Nobody knows if our job is going to be transferred." Berlin mayor Kai Wegner also addressed the protesters outside the BASF offices, telling them that "we are fighting together for this site." "We are fighting together for your jobs with the works council, with the union, and with the Berlin legislature, I am sure that we will achieve something here," Wegner said.
Outlining the plans as it unveiled its financial results on Friday, BASF chief financial officer Dirk Elvermann said the company would "adapt existing location structures and achieve significant cost savings as a result." He offered assurances that the Berlin hub would not be closed completely but conceded that it "will be smaller in terms of staffing than it is today."
BASF CEO Markus Kamieth said his message was that "cost pressure will naturally remain." "We will continue to seek constant productivity improvements and cost reductions in the coming years, especially in Europe, but also worldwide," he added. BASF's latest financial results underscored the scale of its challenges. Adjusted operating profit slipped to 6.6 billion euros in 2025 from 7.2 billion the year before. Sales fell to 59.7 billion euros, down from 61.4 billion in 2024. The company's shares fell by two percent after the results were announced.
The world's biggest chemical company, which employs around 110,000 staff worldwide, has been battered by high energy costs in Germany, weak demand and massive overcapacity on global markets. The group is hoping for a turnaround through its cost savings programme, targeting in particular its historic site in Ludwigshafen, the largest chemical complex in the world.
The cuts at BASF are not an isolated case. Germany's economy has faced a storm of problems in recent years, from a manufacturing slump and fierce competition from China to weak demand in key export markets and high energy prices. Firms large and small are shedding jobs, with a steady drumbeat of redundancy announcements across sectors ranging from automotive to factory equipment makers.
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