CHEMICALS giant BASF, which is investing around £80 million in new technology at its Bradford operation, has reported a strong start to its current financial year.

In the first quarter of 2015, the German-based company grew sales by three per cent to €20.1 billion compared with the same period last year.

Chairman Dr Kurt Bock said: “Our chemicals and our crop protection businesses performed very successfully; earnings in these segments increased significantly.”

The chemicals business includes the Performance Products division within which the Low Moor, Bradford, plant produces water treatment chemicals.

BASF, which is marking nits 150th anniversary this year, expects chemical production to grow by 4.2 per cent in 2015.