BASF donates $2,000 to Sparta Fire Department
Grant will fund purchase of roof ventilation saw

SPARTA, Tenn., November 5, 2004 -- BASF recently presented a $2,000 “Helping Make Communities Better” grant to the Sparta Fire department. The funds will support the purchase of a new roof ventilation saw that will be used to fight structure fires.

“We are very grateful for the support that BASF has provided,” said Ed Kay, Chief of the Sparta Fire Department. “It will allow us to purchase a vital piece of equipment that is essential to our fire fighting efforts.”

"BASF is known as the company that helps make products better. We also have a strong commitment to helping make the communities in which we work and live better,” said Kevin Biehle, Manager of BASF’s Sparta site. “We recognize the commitment and dedication of the members of the Sparta Fire Department, and we are proud to support their ongoing efforts.”

Approximately 120 employees work at BASF’s Sparta site, which produces nylon and polyester engineered thermoplastic pellets that are used in the automotive, consumer products and industrial, power distribution and telecommunications industries.

BASF – The Chemical Company. We don’t make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. We employ about 11,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately $9 billion in 2003. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Our goal is to grow profitably and further increase the value of our company. We help our customers to be more successful through intelligent system solutions and high-quality products. BASF’s portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through new technologies we can tap into additional market opportunities. We conduct our business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2003, BASF had sales of approximately $42 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

For more information, contact:
Kevin Biehle
BASF
Sparta, Tenn.
Tel: (931) 738-7234
E-mail: biehlek@basf.com

Glenn Majeski
BASF
Florham Park, N.J.
Tel: (973) 245-6070
E-mail: majeskg@basf.com