BASF’s sales in North America increased 1% for 2013 to €14,573 million, compared to 2012. Sales grew considerably in the agricultural solutions segment, thanks to the first all-year inclusion of the Becker Underwood businesses as well as to strong business with herbicides and fungicides. The company posted a decline in sales in the performance products segment and in Other. In local-currency terms, sales in the region grew by 4%. Income from operations before special items increased by 49% to €1,539 million compared with the previous year. This was mainly the result of the significantly higher contribution from the chemicals segment due to improved plant availability and higher margins in the petrochemicals division. The functional materials & solutions and agricultural solutions segments were also able to considerably improve their earnings. BASF said it made progress in implementing their regional strategy for North America. An even stronger customer and market orientation plays a key role here. It continues to focus on innovation, attractive market segments and cross-business initia-tives in order to ensure profitable growth. At the same time, they are increasing operational excellence through ongoing improvements. BASF is boosting investments in the region and will start up several new plants in 2014, such as production facilities for formic acid and dispersions. The company is also exploring a joint investment in a world-scale ammonia production plant with Yara on the U.S. Gulf Coast.