BASF | Nunhems to invest in a new R&D center in Almería, Spain

• Construction to start early 2026, full operations expected by early 2028
• Facility to provide state-of the art greenhouse, breeding labs and modern offices

El Ejido, Almería, October 30, 2025 – BASF’s vegetable seeds business is set to break ground on a cutting-edge research and development center in El Ejido, Almería, Spain. Covering 25 hectares, this new facility will lay the foundation for continued innovation and operational excellence, with full operations expected by early 2028. Construction will begin in early 2026, after technical planning and supplier agreements have been finalized. Once operational, the new R&D center in El Ejido will progressively absorb activities currently carried out in Almerimar and Santa María del Águila. The Murcia location will continue operating as usual.

This strategic investment will strengthen BASF | Nunhems’ leadership in the vegetable seed sector. It also highlights BASF’s dedication to supporting the economic and social development of the region.

“The new research center in Almería is designed to deliver innovative seed varieties and solutions for the evolving needs of our customers, and will contribute to BASF’s efforts to continuously develop sustainable innovations for growers around the world. It equips our experts with the space and tools needed to accelerate innovation in line with our growth expectations,” said Ena Hartig, Vice President of R&D at BASF | Nunhems.

Vegetable seeds main business activities in Spain consolidated at one location

BASF | Nunhems’ current breeding activities in Almería are conducted in facilities that have reached their capacity limits and no longer meet the requirements of a modern operation. The future R&D center will feature multi-tunnel greenhouses, advanced breeding facilities and dedicated spaces for phytopathology, field-applied research and market development. A modern office building designed around activity-based workspaces will foster collaboration and flexibility. The site will also include departments for customer service, finance, marketing and sales, as well as a logistics center for seed distribution.

“This new facility represents a key step in bringing together and growing BASF | Nunhems’ operations in Spain”, said Paco González, Managing Director Nunhems Spain. “By bringing our teams together in a strategic location with modern facilities, we are unlocking new potential for sustainable success and reinforcing our position as an attractive and competitive employer.”

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division   
Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €919 million in 2024, we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2024, our division generated sales of €9.8 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.