The masks will be purchased in China and prepared for shipment in Germany, with the first load of masks expected for delivery at Frankfurt Airport at the beginning of next week.
“An emergency situation such as this can only be managed by all of us together,” said Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of BASF’s Board of Executive Directors.
“We are therefore using our purchasing networks and logistics in China to help.”
The mask donation is one of several initiatives of BASF’s “Helping Hands” campaign. BASF is committed to fighting the pandemic worldwide with a total of approximately €100m.
Another of the company’s focuses to help the prevention of the coronavirus is through the production of hand sanitiser. The company has created new capacities at multiple sites and now globally produces approximately 170,000 litres per week free of charge.
“BASF is closely connected with its neighbours and society at its sites. This help is a matter of course for us. A special thanks goes to the many employees who show exemplary commitment,” Brudermüller continued.
Headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, BASF employees around 35,000 and has collaborated with the likes of Linde, Qatargas, Air Liquide and Praxair.