When I think of BASF, I think of the recording tape they made for the AEG Magnetophon in the 1930’s which yielded the first tape recordings. (Beecham, London Philharmonic, Friedrichshafen, 1936.)
BASF has done a lot of stuff. They’re internationally HUGE and into more stuff than most people know. I even heard a speech by one of their worldwide-region managers before, pretty bright guy.
I just think of that hole in the ground because I met people who lived through it, or their parents did. BTW, the place still stinks when you drive by, but what do you expect from a chemical plant?