ISELIN, NJ, June 19, 2008 – BASF Catalysts’ manufacturing facility in Indaiatuba, Brazil, has won major quality awards this year from two of the world’s major automotive companies, Honda and Volkswagen.

For the fifth consecutive year, BASF Catalysts was awarded a Certificate of Merit for Quality and Service from Honda. The BASF plant has provided emissions catalysts to Honda’s Brazilian affiliate, Honda Automoveis do Brasil Ltd., since 2002.

The award was presented to BASF Catalysts by Honda Automoveis do Brasil Vice President Chihiro Morimoto, and recognizes the BASF Catalysts plant for meeting Honda’s exacting standards of quality, environmental management and customer service.

Recently, BASF Catalysts’ manufacturing facility was also awarded the Quality – Process and Product – Award from Volkswagen of Brazil.  BASF Catalysts was the only catalyst supplier to be recognized with this award, which acknowledges the division’s performance in 2007.

“Honda and Volkswagen are companies known worldwide for their attention to quality. It’s truly an honor for the BASF Catalysts team at our Indaiatuba plant to be recognized in this way by two companies that are so highly regarded for producing quality vehicles around the world,” said Jerônimo Cruz, Director of BASF Catalysts’ South American operations.
BASF Catalysts Indaiatuba site produces catalysts for the Brazilian operations of many global automotive companies.  The site began production in January 2000. BASF recently announced a major expansion of the Indaiatuba facility to meet the increased demand generated by market growth, tightening emissions standards and new customer awards. The expansion will significantly increase the plant’s capacity in 2008.

BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts.  The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics, adsorbents and other products.

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.