The Toronto region's ambitions — more energy-efficient buildings, lower-emission vehicles, a circular economy that wastes less and uses resources more intelligently — share something in common. They all depend on chemistry.
The insulation that makes a building net-zero ready, the materials that allow manufacturers to substitute recycled content without sacrificing performance: these are chemical innovations, and they come from somewhere specific.
"Chemistry is often behind the scenes in the sustainability conversation, but it plays a critical role in making progress possible," says Marian Van Hoek, Managing Director at BASF Canada.
With its corporate headquarters in Mississauga and a Toronto manufacturing site producing polyurethane systems for insulating and performance applications, BASF operates at the foundation of the region's industrial economy — serving customers across construction, agriculture, and consumer goods.
It's a vantage point Van Hoek knows well. A litigator by training, she spent a decade inside BASF in legal and compliance leadership before taking the top position last July — a path that, by her own account, has shaped how she thinks about progress.
"We believe building a more sustainable future takes collaboration, innovation, and a long-term view," she says.
Most discussions of the clean economy focus on headline technologies: solar panels, heat pumps, electric vehicles. Less attention goes to the material inputs that make those technologies viable at scale — which is exactly where Van Hoek sees BASF's role.
"Many companies today are navigating a complex mix of climate, resilience, and resource challenges, while also trying to stay competitive and prepare for the future," Van Hoek says. "At BASF, we see chemistry as part of the solution — helping our customers develop materials and innovations that reduce emissions, improve efficiency, strengthen supply chains, and support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy."
That support takes a specific shape in Canada right now. As building codes tighten and automakers push toward electrification, demand for higher-performing, lower-emission materials is accelerating.
BASF is meeting that demand with two capabilities deployed at scale, which Van Hoek frames as structural and informational.
"Our Circular Economy Program is focused on helping customers reduce waste, use resources more efficiently, and increase the value of recycled and renewable feedstocks in their operations," she says.
The second piece is about visibility.
"Our digital Product Carbon Footprint tool gives customers greater transparency by providing emissions data for thousands of products, helping them make more informed decisions and advance their own climate goals."
BASF Canada has been consistently recognized as one of the Greater Toronto Area's Top Employers, reflecting sustained investment in high-skilled roles across engineering, production, and sustainability. Through a clean energy partnership with Bullfrog Power, the company has reduced emissions from its Canadian operations by more than 50 percent through renewable electricity sourcing.
The commitment extends past its own walls. BASF supports STEM education, Indigenous partnerships, and community programs across Canada, and is an active member of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, helping shape policy for sustainable growth and responsible chemical management.
The region's manufacturing base is at an inflection point. Policy is tightening, investor expectations are rising, and the pressure to demonstrate measurable progress on emissions and circularity is no longer a future concern — it's a present one.
Van Hoek sees the Toronto region as having the ingredients to meet that moment, provided the work is shared across sectors rather than left to any single industry.
“By working collaboratively across sectors, the Toronto region can help lead Canada's transition to a more resilient, circular, and low-emission economy," she says. "BASF is proud to contribute through the chemistry, innovation, and partnerships that help turn that ambition into action."
To learn more about BASF Canada's operations and sustainability programs, visit basf.com/ca.
