BASF has licensed Genomatica's technology to manufacture 1,4-butanediol, based on renewable feedstock (renewable BDO), which will be available in the second half of 2013 for sampling and trials. BASF will construct a manufacturing plant, which will employ the Genomatica one-step fermentation process, based on sugars as a renewable feedstock to produce BDO as part of the license agreement. Under the agreement, Genomatica will continue to advance its renewable BDO production process technology based on sugars, while BASF will manufacture renewable BDO.

BASF SE at its annual shareholders meeting held on April 26, 2013, confirmed the distribution of a dividend of EUR 2.60 per qualifying share for the financial year 2012. The dividend will be paid on or after April 29, 2013 net of 26.375% German withholding tax (25% German capital yields tax and 5.5% solidarity surtax). Depending on shareholders personal circumstances church tax will be withheld automatically.

BASF SE reported earnings results for the earnings results for the first quarter of 2013. For the quarter, the company increased its sales and income from operations (EBIT) before special items at EUR 19.7 billion, sales exceeded the level of the previous first quarter by 5%. Sales volumes grew particularly as a result of intensified demand for crop protection products and increased volumes in the Oil & Gas segment. EBIT before special items rose by 10% to EUR 2.2 billion. The increase in EBIT before special items in the first quarter was also due to considerable earnings improvement in the Chemicals segment due to higher margins. Compared with the previous first quarter, EBIT declined by EUR 429 million to around EUR 2.2 billion. Special income from the divestiture of the fertilizer business of EUR 645 million in the first quarter of the previous year was primarily responsible for this reduction. Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) thus decreased by EUR 450 million to around EUR 2.9 billion. The financial result amounted to minus EUR 126 million compared with minus EUR 158 million in the first quarter of 2012. Income before taxes and minority interests decreased by EUR 397 million to EUR 2.0 billion compared with the previous first quarter. Net income declined by EUR 257 million to EUR 1.4 billion. Earnings per share were EUR 1.57 in the first quarter of 2013, compared with EUR 1.85 in the same period of 2012. Adjusted for special items and amortization of intangible assets, earnings per share were EUR 1.67, an increase of EUR 0.13 compared with the first quarter of the previous year. Cash provided by operating activities rose to over EUR 2.0 billion in the first quarter of 2013, up by EUR 502 million compared with the first quarter of the previous year. Net debt was reduced to about EUR 10.9 billion as of the end of the first quarter of 2013, compared with about EUR 11.2 billion as of December 31, 2012. CapEx amounted to EUR 831 million compared to EUR 700 million in the previous year's quarter. The board of executive directors and the supervisory board proposed to the Annual Shareholders Meeting that the dividend for the 2012 business year be increased by EUR 0.10 to EUR 2.60 per share. The company's expectations for the global economic environment in 2013 remain unchanged, growth of gross domestic product: 2.4%, Growth in industrial production: 3.4%, Growth in chemical production: 3.6%. For 2013 it continue to aim to exceed the 2012 levels in sales and EBIT before special items.