New BASF Website Illuminates Dark Chapter of History - BASF confronts its dark past with I.G. Farben’s 100th anniversary events
BASF is marking the 100th anniversary of I.G. Farben with a series of events and a new digital platform. The chemical giant, once part of the controversial conglomerate, is co-sponsoring an academic conference in Frankfurt to examine its historical ties. The initiative also includes interviews with survivors and commemorative activities.
I.G. Farben was formed in 1925 through the merger of several chemical firms, including BASF. The conglomerate later became infamous for its involvement in Nazi-era crimes, particularly through its subsidiary Degussa AG. This company held a stake in Degesch, the producer of Zyklon B—the poison gas used in concentration camps.
In December 2025, BASF will co-host the IG Farben conference with the Finkelstein Foundation and the Fritz Bauer Institute. Scheduled for December 1 and 2 in Frankfurt, the event will explore historical and scientific perspectives on the conglomerate’s legacy. Beyond the conference, the company is organizing interviews with contemporary witnesses, readings by Holocaust survivors, and other memorial activities.
BASF has also launched a digital platform dedicated to the anniversary. It focuses on the company’s corporate history, particularly its role during the Nazi era. While BASF admits gaps in its historical research, the platform aims to highlight key aspects rather than present a full account.
The Remember. Reflect. Rethink. initiative further strengthens remembrance efforts at BASF’s Ludwigshafen site. After I.G. Farben’s dissolution in 1952, BASF was re-established and later became a founding member of the German business initiative Remembrance, Responsibility, Future.
The anniversary events and digital platform provide access to historical records and survivor testimonies. BASF’s involvement in these projects reflects its ongoing engagement with its past. The company continues to support research and public dialogue on I.G. Farben’s legacy.
