LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany—For years, BASF SE one of many world’s largest chemical substances firms, constructed its enterprise mannequin round low cost and plentiful Russian pure fuel, which it makes use of to generate energy and as feedstock for merchandise that make it into toothpaste, medicines and automobiles.
Immediately, dwindling Russian fuel provides are proving a risk to the corporate’s huge manufacturing hub right here—the world’s largest built-in chemical complicated spanning some 200 vegetation. Earlier this month, Russia began throttling again its provide of fuel to Germany and different European nations. In response, firm executives are doing what was unthinkable only a few months in the past: contemplating the way to doubtlessly shut down the complicated if fuel provides fall additional.
