International. In a weaker-than-expected market environment, BASF's sales in the third quarter of 2015 reached €17.4 billion, down 5% from the same period last year. EBITDA increased by €358 million to €2.9 billion, mainly due to higher depreciation.
In contrast, income from operations (EBIT) before special items fell by €171 million to €1.6 billion. In the chemicals segment, EBIT before special items increased slightly, while it grew strongly in the functional materials and solutions segment. In the remaining segments, revenue decreased significantly.
"We have experienced a period of pronounced calm in summer and no momentum in September. Major markets like Brazil are in a recession or facing lower growth rates, such as China," said Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of BASF's Executive Board.
In the first nine months of 2015, BASF Group's sales totalled €56.6 billion, up 1% year-on-year. EBIT before special items decreased by €182 million to €5.7 billion. At €5.9 billion, EBIT in the first nine months of 2015 reached the same level as in the same period last year.
