BELVIDERE, N.J., October 8, 2001 - BASF Corporation's automotive coatings manufacturing plant in Belvidere, N.J., has been accepted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track, a program that is designed to motivate and reward top environmental performance. The Belvidere plant is one of 253 facilities nationwide participating in Performance Track, which the EPA launched in Summer 2000, and is the first BASF site to be accepted into the program.

In her congratulatory letter to the Belvidere site, EPA Administrator Christie Whitman said, "Performance Track is an important public/private partnership that encourages environmental excellence, involves communities in environmental protection, and focuses on measurable results. Performance Track members demonstrate in their daily business operations that economic prosperity and environmental protection can go hand in hand."

According to Scott Elliott, Belvidere Site Manager, BASF needed to demonstrate an excellent compliance history, have an established Environmental Management System and community outreach program, and show significant improvement in two environmental aspects over the last two years in order to be considered by the EPA for Performance Track. "In addition to meeting the EPA's criteria, our site is also certified for ISO 14001, the international quality standard for management systems for maintaining and improving the quality of the environment and protecting human health," he said.

At the Belvidere site, BASF manufactures automotive coatings used to paint and protect new vehicles produced at assembly plants, as well as refinish coatings used in after-market applications, such as autobody repair shops and pre-owned vehicle operations.

Elliott said that EPA Performance Track members have access to conferences and "best practice" workshops that allow a free exchange of ideas that support continuous improvement. Once accepted into the program, members are required to file an annual report to chart progress and can expect one scheduled visit by the EPA every three years. "The Belvidere site embraces this vision as it continues to balance bottom-line performance with being a responsible employer and community member," Elliott added.

BASF is the world's largest producer of chemicals and related products. Based in Mount Olive, N.J., BASF Corporation is the North American affiliate of BASF AG (Ludwigshafen, Germany), which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "BF." BASF Corporation had sales of $7.9 billion in 2000. BASF in North America employs more than 15,000 people at more than 50 locations, and can be found on the Internet at www.basf.com/usa.