BASF FINA Petrochemicals employees participate in American Heart Walk
Team presents company’s donation of $1,000 to the American Heart Association

PORT ARTHUR, Texas, October 14, 2004 -- A team of nine BASF FINA Petrochemicals LP employees, friends and family members showed they had a heart on Saturday by participating in the American Heart Walk inside Central Mall in Port Arthur.

Heart Walk participants spent one hour walking as many times as they could around the inside perimeter of the mall.

The employees presented the company’s $1,000 donation to the American Heart Association upon arriving at the event. Money raised through the American Heart Walk goes to support the organization’s research on heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.

“We’re proud of our employees for giving of their time and of themselves to participate in such a worthwhile cause,” said Mark Viator, Community Affairs Manager for BASF FINA Petrochemicals LP. “Their willingness to support community organizations like the American Heart Association demonstrates that they truly care about our community.”

Teresia Chichester, BASF FINA Petrochemicals LP employee, says she and others who participate in the American Heart Walk are giving back to the community and honoring their family members who are survivors of heart-related health problems.

“We like the opportunity to give back to the community while also showing our own family members that we remember just how blessed we are that they are survivors,” said Chichester. “In August 2000, my dad underwent heart surgery to replace his aortic valve with a bovine valve and he recovered quite nicely. My grandmother is also a heart attack survivor and has a pacemaker. They’re a big part of the reason I participate in the American Heart Walk each year.”

BASF FINA Petrochemicals LP is a joint venture between BASF Corporation and TOTAL Petrochemicals USA, Inc. The Port Arthur facility operates the largest steam cracker of its type in the world, turning naphtha and light hydrocarbons into ethylene, propylene, and other chemical raw materials. The products from the cracker are in turn used in the manufacturing of hundreds of consumer products. The $1 billion facility began operations in 2001. More than 200 workers are employed at the site.

For more information, contact:
Mark Viator
BASF FINA Petrochemicals LP
Tel: (409) 960-5201
viatorm@basf.com

Carolyn Murray
BASF FINA Petrochemicals LP
Tel: (409) 960-5203
murrayc@basf.com