Why is BASF advertising?

Every now and then, a company - that you have heard of, but don't really think about - advertises on TV. Such is the recent case of BASF, a large chemical company. They're trying to tell us how wonderful their chemicals are. And I'm sure that most of us pretty much think that already, since we're so accustomed to using them. But perhaps their real reason for advertising is to counteract bad publicity. Consider the recent Brazil ruling on pollution. Consider that genetically modified potato seed in Sweden. Consider their collaboration with Sion Power, possibly to cash in on subsidies for batteries in electric cars.