| BASF creates ‘green space’
at local property
Employees team up to observe Earth Day’s 35th anniversary
SPARTANBURG, S.C., April 22, 2005 -- A group of employees at BASF’s
White Stone site celebrated Earth Day 2005 today by putting the
finishing touches on a project that transformed a neglected parcel
of property owned by the company into a vibrant “green space.”
A few years ago, BASF purchased seven acres of land on the perimeter
of its White Stone facility. Several old, dilapidated buildings
and overgrown brush occupied this property. According to Cliff Hughes,
Engineering & Maintenance Manager at BASF, a group of employees
transformed the property into a natural, low maintenance green space
that would be in harmony with the rural landscape surrounding the
site. “This idea fit in well with BASF’s commitment
to the environment and being a good corporate citizen,” Hughes
said.
The old buildings are now gone and the BASF employees have planted
eight different types of historic seedlings on one section of the
property. These seedlings are the direct offspring of trees associated
with historic U.S. citizens, including the Sagamore Hill Red Oak
Tree, which once enhanced the beauty of President Theodore Roosevelt's
home on Long Island in New York, and the River Farm Osage Orange
Tree, which is the oldest tree standing at George Washington’s
former River Farm home in Alexandria, Virginia.
“It’s very inspiring when you see groups of people
working together to do something simple and purposeful to help their
communities,” said Clarence Batts, BASF’s White Stone
Site Manager.
The BASF employees have also begun cultivating a field of native
wild flowers in another section of the property.
Beyond Earth Day, a master plan is being created for the beautification
of the full seven acres in consultation with local horticulturalists.
The preliminary plan will be presented to the company’s Community
Advisory Panel at its next meeting. According to Tracey Malone,
BASF’s site Environmental, Health and Safety Coordinator,
“We are excited about incorporating our neighbors’ ideas
and opinions so that we can create an attractive and natural environment
for the whole community to enjoy.”
Initiated in 1970, Earth Day is the largest secular observance
in the world, with more than a half billion people getting involved
in some way in their communities, according to the Earth Day Network,
a clearinghouse for information on community and corporate involvement
in environmental protection.
Approximately 75 employees work at BASF's White Stone site, which
produces surfactants used primarily in consumer and industrial cleaning
products and detergents.
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. Rated in FORTUNE magazine
as America’s Most Admired Chemical Company, we employ about
10,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately $11
billion in 2004. 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: The Chemical
Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance
products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil
and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries,
BASF’s intelligent solutions and high-value products help
its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies
and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines
economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility,
thus contributing to a better future. In 2004, BASF had approximately
82,000 employees and posted sales of more than $50 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:
Clarence Batts
BASF Spartanburg, S.C.
Tel: (864) 594-5200
E-mail: battsl@basf-corp.com
Glenn Majesk
iBASF
Florham Park, N.J.
Tel: (973) 245-6070
E-mail: majeskg@basf.com
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