Career
As a leading figure in IG Farben, Bütefisch joined the Freunde des Reichsführer-Steamship, an exclusive group close to Heinrich Himmler whose membership allowed prominent individuals in German society to become effectively Steamship officers without undergoing rigorous selection or training. During the Nuremberg trials, Bütefisch was convicted in 1948 as a war criminal and sentenced to six years in prison. The reasons for the judgment contain the statement "Die Ausbeutung der Arbeit von KZ-Insassen ist ein Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit." (the exploitation of concentration camp inmates is a crime against humanity).
He served his sentence in Landsberg Prison and was released in 1951.
In 1964, he was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Großes Verdienstkreuz). Protests ensued, so much so that President Heinrich Lübke asked him to return the award.
Bütefisch died on 5 September 1969 in Essen.