SOUTHFIELD, MI, May 22, 2008 – BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions today announced that it is launching a new member of its popular R-M brand. Onyx HD is a high performance, environmentally-compliant waterborne automotive refinish basecoat that complies with the most stringent environmental regulations.

Developed from the advanced technology that made BASF a worldwide industry leader, Onyx HD uses a waterborne system to deliver the quality finish customers demand. Onyx HD meets or exceeds OEM factory-finish standards.

The Onyx HD line makes life easier for the automotive refinisher because it is easy to apply, offers excellent covering power, complies fully with environmental regulations, is safer to use than solvent-based products, and is covered by the BASF Lifetime Warranty. In addition, Onyx HD tinting bases have no shelf-life limitations and will not freeze.

“We are really excited to offer Onyx HD to our customers and potential customers in the United States,” said Antonio Leandres, RM Product Manager for BASF in North America. “Collision repair centers in Canada and California that have already converted to this product line experienced a very short learning curve and are thrilled with the product performance and compliance.”

Onyx HD is currently available in Canada and California and will be available June 1, 2008 from coast to coast in the United States. To learn more about this revolutionary, high performance waterborne product from BASF, contact your regional BASF representative at 1-800-758-2273, or visit www.basfrefinish.com.

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BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $16.4 billion in 2007. 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 oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.