CLEVELAND, OH, June 19, 2008 –The Admixture Systems business of BASF’s Construction Chemicals division today announced that it now offers the MasterFiber™ line of synthetic fiber reinforcement as a fully integrated component of its product offering. 

“Fibers are a natural addition to our admixtures product offering, as they provide additional ways for concrete producers to enhance the long-term durability and service life of the concrete,” said Jim Reddy, Product Line Manager, BASF.  “All concrete is susceptible to cracking, but our new line of MasterFiber synthetic fibers enables us to further help our customers prevent the negative influences weather has on concrete during placing, finishing and curing.”

The MasterFiber line will include a full product offering of fibers that disperse well in the concrete and provide excellent finishability for residential applications. MasterFiber products work by improving the concrete's resistance to both plastic and drying shrinkage, while reducing the porosity of the concrete. Fibers also increase the impact resistance and the fatigue strength of the concrete. Alternatives like wire mesh can only hold the concrete together after it cracks.

“As the leading supplier of concrete admixtures, we strive to help our customers be more successful by continuously and strategically evolving our product portfolio to meet their daily challenges,” said Gabriel Cottrell, Business Director, Admixture Systems, BASF.  “Fiber reinforced concrete is increasingly being regarded as the most proactive solution to preventing concrete cracking, which is why we chose to make the MasterFiber line an integral part of our offering.”

For more information on the MasterFiber products, visit us on the web at www.masterbuilders.com.

BASF’s Construction Chemicals division is the leading supplier of chemical systems and formulations for the construction industry. Continuous innovation and tailor-made solutions ensure its customers are more successful. Its Admixture Systems business unit specifically helps customers in the ready-mix, precast, manufactured concrete and underground construction industries. The Construction Systems unit offers a wide range of products for sports and industrial flooring, external renders and wall insulation, expansion joints, wood preservatives as well as specialist repair mortars, tile adhesives and waterproofing membranes. The division operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries and achieved sales of €2.2 billion with approximately 7,500 employees in 2006.

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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.