BASF Ties Evonik Job Pledges to a Reported 24-Euro Bid While Buyback Cash Already Changes Hands

Published on 10/25/2026 at 14:11 | Editorial boerse-global.de

BASF CEO Kamieth promises no compulsory redundancies before 2032 if a reported sweetened Evonik bid succeeds; offer said raised to €24 per share.

Aquarell des Rheinufers bei Sonnenuntergang mit Industriesilhouette und Lastschiff im Vordergrund — Lockeres Aquarell auf Strukturpapier: Rheinufer in der Abenddämmerung mit ruhigem Wasser, das einen pfirsich-orangen und lavendelfarbenen Himmel spiegelt. Auf dem gegenüberliegenden Ufer eine Industriesilhouette aus Schornsteinen, Kühltürmen und Destillationskolonnen. Im Vordergrund ein Holzsteg, Schilfgras und ein vertäutes Lastschiff. Nasse Pinselwäsche, sichtbare Pinselstriche, Tuscheumrisse Illustration mit AI erstellt.

BASF chief executive Markus Kamieth has gone public with a promise that no compulsory redundancies would be imposed before 2032 in the event his company swallows Evonik — a commitment that lands alongside reports that the bid itself has been sweetened.

In a video message, Kamieth framed a possible Evonik acquisition as a "strong German answer to global competition." The guarantees, first reported by Reuters on Thursday, would also leave existing collective bargaining agreements and the social partnership untouched. None of this amounts to a confirmed transaction: the pledges are conditional on a deal that has not been signed.

Reported bid raised to 24 euros per share

Reuters reported on Friday that BASF had lifted its offer for Evonik from roughly €22.15 to €24 per share, a level that would value the Essen-based specialty chemicals group at about €11.18 billion. Handelsblatt, citing people familiar with the negotiations, carried the same account of a higher bid.

The gap between a reported figure and a signed contract is where the story currently sits. Kamieth's employment assurances are designed for a takeover that may or may not materialise, and the price tag exists so far only in press accounts.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying BASF?

Polyamide venture still in the evaluation stage

Separately, BASF is weighing a reshuffle of its polyamide operations. On 19 October the company and Highsun Holding Group signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore combining their respective European polyamide-6 value chains in a possible 50:50 joint venture.

The review extends to extrusion activities outside North America, according to BASF. Downstream engineering plastics businesses are excluded from the evaluation. With the agreement expressly non-binding, any combination remains under examination rather than agreed.

Taiwan chip-materials expansion

Growth plans are also moving ahead in Asia. On Tuesday BASF said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs covering its Taoyuan site.

The company intends to add production capacity for semiconductor materials there. Expanded quality-analysis capabilities and an innovation centre form part of the same memorandum.

Buyback already executed

While the deal talk remains provisional, one piece of capital returns is done and dusted. BASF reported on 16 October that it had repurchased 451,622 of its own shares in the 12–16 October window, spending a total of €23,338,831.17.

BASF at a turning point? This analysis reveals what investors need to know now.

On the analyst side, Bernstein Research on Tuesday reaffirmed its "Outperform" rating on BASF along with a €61 price target, according to media reports.

Q3 statement due 28 October

Investors get their next hard numbers on 28 October 2026, when BASF publishes its third-quarter statement at 7.00 a.m. CET. A results press conference is scheduled for 10.30 a.m. CET the same day.

BASF Stock: New Analysis - 25 October

Fresh BASF information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.

Read our updated BASF analysis...