BASF Report 2021 Management’s Report – Surface Technologies 84 At €800 million, income from operations (EBIT) before special Division sales by region items was €316 million above the 2020 figure due to considerably (Location of customer) higher earnings in the Catalysts division. This was driven by growth Divisions South America, Total Europe North America Asia Pacific Africa, Middle East (million €) in sales volumes and the considerably higher earnings contribution Catalysts 29% 34% 33% 4% 19,219 from precious metal trading. Coatings 33% 23% 29% 15% 3,440 EBIT before special items in the Coatings division declined con- siderably compared with the previous year. The significant rise in volumes was unable to compensate for higher fixed costs, primarily Division, products, applications from higher bonus provisions, and a weaker margin due to increased Products Customer industries and applications raw materials prices. Catalysts Automotive catalysts, process catalysts and technologies, Automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, refineries, battery battery materials, precious and base metal services manufacturers, solutions for the protection of air quality as well as the production EBIT rose by €1,348 million to €761 million. In 2021, we recorded of fuels, chemicals, plastics and battery materials, battery material recycling special items of –€39 million after –€1,071 million in 2020, mainly in Coatings Coatings solutions for automotive applications, technology and Automotive industry, body shops, steel industry, aviation, aluminum applications connection with special charges for impairments. system solutions for surface treatments, decorative paints in the architecture and construction industries, household appliances, painting businesses and private consumers For the outlook for 2022, see page 148 onward