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BASF Corp. announced April 1 that Heather Remley has taken the reins as president and CEO. 

Remley succeeds Marc Ehrhardt, who “decided to leave the company at his own request,” the Florham Park-based firm announced March 5. 

In her new role, Remley will lead the largest affiliate of Ludwigshafen, Germany-based BASF SE, one of the leading chemical companies worldwide. 

She will be based out of the Florham Park headquarters, a BASF representative told NJBIZ. 

According to the company, BASF employs about 16,000 workers in North America and had sales of $19.7 billion in 2024. 

Meet the new CEO 

The new leader brings more than 25 years of experience in business leadership, operations and engineering to the position.

Remley joined BASF in 2016 and has served in key positions in China, Germany and the U.S. Most recently, she was president of BASF’s Global Engineering Services division, based in Ludwigshafen. She previously served as senior vice president for BASF’s petrochemicals business in North America, based in Houston. 

Before BASF, she spent more than 26 years at Air Products & Chemicals Inc., according to her LinkedIn profile. Remley earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Lafayette College and an MBA from Boston College. 

“Having gained invaluable experience working across the globe, I am excited to return to the U.S. and build on our strong foundation of innovation, performance culture and passion for chemistry,” Remley said in a statement. She added that she was honored to take on the new role. 

Anup Kothari, a member of the BASF SE board of executive directors, welcomed Remley “back home.”

“Her extensive leadership and industry expertise will be instrumental in enabling our global operating divisions and service units in the United States while driving the company’s winning culture, in line with the global Winning Ways strategy,” Kothari continued.

Christian Aucoin, senior vice president, Global Operations Agricultural Solutions, will now take on Remley’s position as president of the Global Engineering Services division.