BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com) founded a new Digitalization and Information Services division on 1 January 2019. The company says digitalisation is a key element of its corporate strategy, and has over the past several years "explored the opportunities for the intelligent use of data and digital technologies." One example is the supercomputer BASF purchased and installed in 2017 – see Plasteurope.com of 06.07.2017.

The new division is headed by Christoph Wegner, who is also serving as the company's chief digital officer. He was previously BASF's president of supply chain operations and information services in Ludwigshafen. Wegner says the new organisation "will help lend more assertiveness to the topic," and he will support collaborations between business units, functions and R&D units as well as introducing digital solutions for customers.