<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rdf:RDF xmlns:rdf="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#" xmlns="http://my.netscape.com/rdf/simple/0.9/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>News BASF-Products: Fine Chemicals</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/corporate/en/</link><description>News from the Fine BASF Chemicals division</description><language>en-en</language><copyright>Copyright © BASF SE</copyright><items><rdf:Seq><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-433"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-423"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-354"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-319"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-214"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-218"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-215"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-197"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-153"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-155"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-130"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-140"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-123"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-515"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-478"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-487"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-482"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-467"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-450"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-448"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-422"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-402"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-361"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-346"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-314"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-270"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-250"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-233"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-190"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-147"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-152"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-124"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-113"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-108"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-07-499"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-07-357"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-04-235"/><rdf:li resource="http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-04-156"/></rdf:Seq></items></channel><item xmlns=""><title>Color-perfect, efficient, environment-friendly tablet production</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-433</link><description>Distinctive coloring, robust and rapidly soluble: a new BASF tablet coating system enables individual, on-site production of tablet coatings in countless shades from only seven basic colors.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-11-05T09:53:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Distinctive coloring, robust and rapidly soluble: a new BASF tablet coating system enables individual, on-site production of tablet coatings in countless shades from only seven basic colors.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF: Stabilization in the third quarter</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-423</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 29, 2009 – BASF’s figures for the third quarter of 2009 demonstrate the company’s operational strength in the global economic crisis. Third-quarter sales increased by 2% compared with the second quarter but fell 19% compared with the same period of 2008.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-10-29T07:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 29, 2009 – BASF’s figures for the third quarter of 2009 demonstrate the company’s operational strength in the global economic crisis. Third-quarter sales increased by 2% compared with the second quarter but fell 19% compared with the same period of 2008.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF at Drinktec 2009 in Munich</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-354</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – September 01, 2009 – With the range extending from light yellow to deep orange and bright red, there is a wide variety of colors of soda pops, fruit juices and all kinds of sports drinks and other refreshing drinks on supermarket shelves. Yet it is not just the color of drinks that helps persuade the consumer to buy; healthy additives are also part of the present trend.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-09-03T14:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – September 01, 2009 – With the range extending from light yellow to deep orange and bright red, there is a wide variety of colors of soda pops, fruit juices and all kinds of sports drinks and other refreshing drinks on supermarket shelves. Yet it is not just the color of drinks that helps persuade the consumer to buy; healthy additives are also part of the present trend.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF improves earnings after weak start to the year</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-319</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – July 30, 2009 – BASF’s sales and earnings were again negatively impacted by the ongoing global economic crisis in the second quarter of 2009. The effects on business were especially pronounced in the segments Chemicals, Plastics and Functional Solutions, in particular because of the situation in the automotive and construction industries.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-07-30T06:59:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – July 30, 2009 – BASF’s sales and earnings were again negatively impacted by the ongoing global economic crisis in the second quarter of 2009. The effects on business were especially pronounced in the segments Chemicals, Plastics and Functional Solutions, in particular because of the situation in the automotive and construction industries.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF shows strength in global crisis</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-214</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 30, 2009 – In an extremely difficult environment, BASF’s business declined in the first quarter of 2009. At €12.2 billion, sales were 23% lower than in the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to persistently weak demand. Income from operations (EBIT) before special items fell by 58% to €985 million as a result of a substantial decrease in volumes in many divisions.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-04-30T07:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 30, 2009 – In an extremely difficult environment, BASF’s business declined in the first quarter of 2009. At €12.2 billion, sales were 23% lower than in the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to persistently weak demand. Income from operations (EBIT) before special items fell by 58% to €985 million as a result of a substantial decrease in volumes in many divisions.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF increases price for vitamin E</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-218</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 22, 2009 – Due to the current unsatisfactory market situation BASF is increasing its price for vitamin E for feed by 10% with immediate effect. All existing contractual obligations will be honored.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-04-22T17:15:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 22, 2009 – Due to the current unsatisfactory market situation BASF is increasing its price for vitamin E for feed by 10% with immediate effect. All existing contractual obligations will be honored.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Green light for sale of enzymes for animal nutrition</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-215</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 22, 2009 – BASF has cleared an important regulatory hurdle for the EU market approval of the animal feed additive Natugrain® TS. The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, Animal Nutrition Section, of the European Commission has agreed to the sale of the animal feed additive throughout the EU.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-04-22T09:57:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 22, 2009 – BASF has cleared an important regulatory hurdle for the EU market approval of the animal feed additive Natugrain® TS. The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, Animal Nutrition Section, of the European Commission has agreed to the sale of the animal feed additive throughout the EU.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF increases price for calcium D-pantothenate (Vitamin B5) for animal nutrition</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-197</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 1, 2009 – BASF increases globally the price for calcium D-pantothenate (Lutavit® Calpan) products for animal nutrition as of April 1, 2009, respectively in line with existing commitments to minimum €6.50 (US$8.50) per kg for full container loads FCA Ludwigshafen (Incoterms 2000).</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-04-01T07:59:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 1, 2009 – BASF increases globally the price for calcium D-pantothenate (Lutavit® Calpan) products for animal nutrition as of April 1, 2009, respectively in line with existing commitments to minimum €6.50 (US$8.50) per kg for full container loads FCA Ludwigshafen (Incoterms 2000).</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Standing Committee gives green light for marketing of lycopene from BASF</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-153</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – March 10, 2009 – BASF has cleared an important regulatory hurdle in the authorization of its LycoVit® lycopene formulations in the European Union. The European Commission’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health has approved the marketing throughout the European Union. Formal adoption of the decision by the European Commission is expected shortly.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-03-10T17:15:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – March 10, 2009 – BASF has cleared an important regulatory hurdle in the authorization of its LycoVit® lycopene formulations in the European Union. The European Commission’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health has approved the marketing throughout the European Union. Formal adoption of the decision by the European Commission is expected shortly.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Social business to promote health for people in Bangladesh</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-155</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – March 5, 2009 – BASF SE and Grameen Healthcare Trust have announced the establishment of a joint social business venture. Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, and Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Managing Director of Grameen Bank, signed an agreement in Ludwigshafen to establish a joint venture called BASF Grameen Ltd.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-03-05T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – March 5, 2009 – BASF SE and Grameen Healthcare Trust have announced the establishment of a joint social business venture. Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, and Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Managing Director of Grameen Bank, signed an agreement in Ludwigshafen to establish a joint venture called BASF Grameen Ltd.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF posts solid earnings in a difficult business environment</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-130</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 26, 2009 – BASF – The Chemical Company – is acting quickly and decisively to combat the effects of the global economic crisis: Production capacities and investments worldwide are being tailored to the drastic decline in demand, and the implementation of restructuring and efficiency programs is being accelerated.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-02-26T07:30:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 26, 2009 – BASF – The Chemical Company – is acting quickly and decisively to combat the effects of the global economic crisis: Production capacities and investments worldwide are being tailored to the drastic decline in demand, and the implementation of restructuring and efficiency programs is being accelerated.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF proposes dividend of €1.95 per share</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-140</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 26, 2009 – The Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE today decided to propose to the Annual Meeting on April 30, 2009 a dividend of €1.95 per share for 2008. The decision is subject to approval by the company’s Supervisory Board in its meeting on March 3, 2009. BASF is thus standing by its statement of maintaining the dividend at the previous year’s level in difficult years.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-02-26T07:29:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 26, 2009 – The Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE today decided to propose to the Annual Meeting on April 30, 2009 a dividend of €1.95 per share for 2008. The decision is subject to approval by the company’s Supervisory Board in its meeting on March 3, 2009. BASF is thus standing by its statement of maintaining the dividend at the previous year’s level in difficult years.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF takes steps to optimize its structures</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-09-123</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 4, 2009 – BASF is taking steps to optimize its structures in order to sharpen the company’s focus on its customer industries. At the same time, BASF is laying the foundation for the rapid and efficient integration of Ciba’s businesses. In particular, BASF’s Performance Products segment is being developed further. The initial organizational changes will be effective as of April 1, 2009</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2009-02-04T14:35:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 4, 2009 – BASF is taking steps to optimize its structures in order to sharpen the company’s focus on its customer industries. At the same time, BASF is laying the foundation for the rapid and efficient integration of Ciba’s businesses. In particular, BASF’s Performance Products segment is being developed further. The initial organizational changes will be effective as of April 1, 2009</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF opens applications laboratory for pharmaceutical industry in India</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-515</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – November 27, 2008 – BASF has opened an applications laboratory for pharmaceutical excipients and active ingredients in Mumbai, India. The aim is to move even closer to customers in the key markets of the Asia-Pacific region. The new laboratory will allow BASF to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry for technical support more quickly.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-12-09T13:34:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – November 27, 2008 – BASF has opened an applications laboratory for pharmaceutical excipients and active ingredients in Mumbai, India. The aim is to move even closer to customers in the key markets of the Asia-Pacific region. The new laboratory will allow BASF to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry for technical support more quickly.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF preparing for tough business environment</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-478</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany - October 30, 2008 - BASF SE - The Chemical Company - has ended the third quarter with solid results in a significantly more difficult economic environment. All operating divisions increased their prices, and volumes rose in almost all segments. Overall, sales rose by 13 percent to €15.8 billion. Adjusted for currency effects, sales grew by 18 percent.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-10-30T14:50:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany - October 30, 2008 - BASF SE - The Chemical Company - has ended the third quarter with solid results in a significantly more difficult economic environment. All operating divisions increased their prices, and volumes rose in almost all segments. Overall, sales rose by 13 percent to €15.8 billion. Adjusted for currency effects, sales grew by 18 percent.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF tender offer for Ciba Holding AG: Preliminary acceptance rate of 66.665 percent based on all Ciba shares</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-487</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 29, 2008 – Up to the end of the offer period on October 28, 2008, a total of 45,030,453 of Ciba shares have been tendered to BASF [BAS, BFA, AN] as part of the company’s public tender offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG [CIBN], Basel, Switzerland.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-10-29T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 29, 2008 – Up to the end of the offer period on October 28, 2008, a total of 45,030,453 of Ciba shares have been tendered to BASF [BAS, BFA, AN] as part of the company’s public tender offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG [CIBN], Basel, Switzerland.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Offer period for Ciba shareholders ends on October 28, 2008</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-482</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 23, 2008 – Next week ends BASF’s [BAS, BFA, AN] public offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG [CIBN], Basel, Switzerland. Ciba shareholders who have so far not tendered their shares may do so via their custodian banks until 4:00 p.m. (central European time, CET) on October 28, 2008. BASF will pay Ciba shareholders CHF 50.00 in cash for each nominal share in Ciba.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-10-23T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 23, 2008 – Next week ends BASF’s [BAS, BFA, AN] public offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG [CIBN], Basel, Switzerland. Ciba shareholders who have so far not tendered their shares may do so via their custodian banks until 4:00 p.m. (central European time, CET) on October 28, 2008. BASF will pay Ciba shareholders CHF 50.00 in cash for each nominal share in Ciba.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>President of Swiss Takeover Board rejects request to extend Ciba offer period</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-467</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 16, 2008 – In a letter dated October 15, 2008, the president of the Swiss Takeover Board has rejected a request from the Bestinver investor group to extend the offer period for the public takeover offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG and to supplement the Board of Directors’ Report and the Fairness Opinion (an opinion from an independent expert on the financial adequacy of the offer price).</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-10-16T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 16, 2008 – In a letter dated October 15, 2008, the president of the Swiss Takeover Board has rejected a request from the Bestinver investor group to extend the offer period for the public takeover offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG and to supplement the Board of Directors’ Report and the Fairness Opinion (an opinion from an independent expert on the financial adequacy of the offer price).</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF publishes offer to Ciba shareholders</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-450</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 1, 2008 – Following examination by the Swiss Takeover Board, BASF [BAS, BFA, AN] today published the offer prospectus for the public takeover offer to the shareholders of Ciba Holding AG, Basel, Switzerland [CIBN]. The offer period begins on October 1, 2008, and ends on October 28, 2008 (4:00 p.m. Central European Time, CET).</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-10-01T07:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 1, 2008 – Following examination by the Swiss Takeover Board, BASF [BAS, BFA, AN] today published the offer prospectus for the public takeover offer to the shareholders of Ciba Holding AG, Basel, Switzerland [CIBN]. The offer period begins on October 1, 2008, and ends on October 28, 2008 (4:00 p.m. Central European Time, CET).</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF Catalysts Introduces New Pharma Solutions at CPhI Worldwide</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-448</link><description>Frankfurt, Germany September 30, 2008 -- BASF Catalysts, the global leader in catalysis, will introduce the first two catalysts from its new NanoSelectTM platform technology, NanoSelect LF 100 and NanoSelect LF 200, for use in fine chemical and pharmaceutical applications at the CPhl Worldwide which starts today.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-09-30T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Frankfurt, Germany September 30, 2008 -- BASF Catalysts, the global leader in catalysis, will introduce the first two catalysts from its new NanoSelectTM platform technology, NanoSelect LF 100 and NanoSelect LF 200, for use in fine chemical and pharmaceutical applications at the CPhl Worldwide which starts today.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF makes offer to acquire Ciba</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-422</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – September 15, 2008 – BASF [BAS, BFA, AN] plans to acquire Ciba Holding AG, Basel, Switzerland, [CIBN], a leading specialty chemical company, and will make a public takeover offer to Ciba’s shareholders. BASF will pay CHF 50.00 in cash for each nominal share in Ciba.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-09-15T07:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – September 15, 2008 – BASF [BAS, BFA, AN] plans to acquire Ciba Holding AG, Basel, Switzerland, [CIBN], a leading specialty chemical company, and will make a public takeover offer to Ciba’s shareholders. BASF will pay CHF 50.00 in cash for each nominal share in Ciba.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Pharma Solutions: BASF at CPhI Worldwide</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-402</link><description>BASF will be presenting its extensive expertise for supporting pharmaceutical industry customers at “CPhI Worldwide,” the “Convention on Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Intermediates” that will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, from September 30 through October 2.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-09-03T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>BASF will be presenting its extensive expertise for supporting pharmaceutical industry customers at “CPhI Worldwide,” the “Convention on Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Intermediates” that will take place in Frankfurt, Germany, from September 30 through October 2.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF remains in top form: Sales and earnings increase despite challenging business environment</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-361</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – July 31, 2008 – BASF – The Chemical Company – is in top form. In both the second quarter and the first half of 2008, the company has again increased sales and income from operations (EBIT) before special items and achieved new records. First-half sales amounted to €32.2 billion, 10 percent more than in the same period of 2007. EBIT before special items in the first six months of 2008 rose by 15 percent to around €4.8 billion.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-07-31T07:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – July 31, 2008 – BASF – The Chemical Company – is in top form. In both the second quarter and the first half of 2008, the company has again increased sales and income from operations (EBIT) before special items and achieved new records. First-half sales amounted to €32.2 billion, 10 percent more than in the same period of 2007. EBIT before special items in the first six months of 2008 rose by 15 percent to around €4.8 billion.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF raises prices of propionic acid and mixtures again</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-346</link><description>Due to the unprecedented increases in the cost of raw materials, energy and transportation, BASF is forced to raise its prices for propionic acid and mixtures based on propionic acid again after a first announcement in May 2008. The following price increase is effective immediately or as existing contracts permit:</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-07-08T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Due to the unprecedented increases in the cost of raw materials, energy and transportation, BASF is forced to raise its prices for propionic acid and mixtures based on propionic acid again after a first announcement in May 2008. The following price increase is effective immediately or as existing contracts permit:</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Leading the way in respect of quality standards for pharmaceutical excipients</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-314</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – June 19, 2008 – BASF’s site in Geismar, Louisiana/USA is one of the first in the world to meet the strict quality standards of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for the production of pharmaceutical excipients. Following a detailed audit, the polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVPs) made at this site were certified under the new “USP Excipient Verification Program”.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-06-19T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – June 19, 2008 – BASF’s site in Geismar, Louisiana/USA is one of the first in the world to meet the strict quality standards of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) for the production of pharmaceutical excipients. Following a detailed audit, the polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVPs) made at this site were certified under the new “USP Excipient Verification Program”.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Pharmaceutical excipient for instant-release tablet coatings approved in USA</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-270</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – May 16, 2008 – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the pharmaceutical excipient Kollicoat IR for instant-release tablet coatings. The decision was made following the registration of Ibuprofen tablets coated with Kollicoat IR in an abbreviated application process (ANDA 75-661).</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-05-16T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – May 16, 2008 – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of the pharmaceutical excipient Kollicoat IR for instant-release tablet coatings. The decision was made following the registration of Ibuprofen tablets coated with Kollicoat IR in an abbreviated application process (ANDA 75-661).</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>European Food Safety Authority rates BASF’s LycoVit as safe</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-250</link><description>The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed BASF’s lycopene formulations marketed under the brand name LycoVit® as safe for use in foods and food supplements. In this way, the Authority is confirming that BASF’s synthetically produced LycoVit is an alternative to natural lycopene.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-05-05T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed BASF’s lycopene formulations marketed under the brand name LycoVit® as safe for use in foods and food supplements. In this way, the Authority is confirming that BASF’s synthetically produced LycoVit is an alternative to natural lycopene.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF enters a challenging 2008 with a record first quarter</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-233</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 24, 2008 – The BASF Group has continued on its successful path in the first three months of 2008. Having posted a further record quarter, it is confident with regard to the coming months. First-quarter sales rose by almost 9 percent to €15.9 billion, while income from operations (EBIT) before special items increased by more than 11 percent compared with the same period of 2007 to almost €2.4 billion.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-04-24T06:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – April 24, 2008 – The BASF Group has continued on its successful path in the first three months of 2008. Having posted a further record quarter, it is confident with regard to the coming months. First-quarter sales rose by almost 9 percent to €15.9 billion, while income from operations (EBIT) before special items increased by more than 11 percent compared with the same period of 2007 to almost €2.4 billion.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Food safety in the spotlight</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-190</link><description>Where does the salmon fillet in the freezer come from? What's in chickenfeed, and possibly also in the barbecued chicken later on? Especially when it's about the food they eat, consumers want to know what they are buying and what ends up on their plate.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-03-17T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Where does the salmon fillet in the freezer come from? What's in chickenfeed, and possibly also in the barbecued chicken later on? Especially when it's about the food they eat, consumers want to know what they are buying and what ends up on their plate.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>New record year 2007 gives BASF confidence for 2008</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-147</link><description>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 21, 2008 – For BASF, 2007 was another record year. Thanks to organic growth and the very positive development of the acquired businesses, BASF posted sales of almost €58 billion and income from operations (EBIT) before special items of more than €7.6 billion in 2007.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-02-21T07:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen, Germany – February 21, 2008 – For BASF, 2007 was another record year. Thanks to organic growth and the very positive development of the acquired businesses, BASF posted sales of almost €58 billion and income from operations (EBIT) before special items of more than €7.6 billion in 2007.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Fortitech and BASF Dissolve Joint Venture for Human Nutrition Premixes</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-152</link><description>Schenectady, NY, USA. Fortitech, Inc. and BASF SE have announced that the two companies dissolved their joint venture in the human nutrition premix marketplace. The agreement extends to all joint ventures throughout Europe, South America and Asia.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-02-15T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Schenectady, NY, USA. Fortitech, Inc. and BASF SE have announced that the two companies dissolved their joint venture in the human nutrition premix marketplace. The agreement extends to all joint ventures throughout Europe, South America and Asia.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF transfers marketing and distribution rights of feed additive Formi to Addcon Nordic AS</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-124</link><description>Ludwigshafen (Germany) – January 25, 2008 – BASF will transfer its Formi® feed additive business to Addcon Nordic AS. The move allows BASF’s Nutrition Ingredients business to concentrate their respective activities more on the supply of liquid organic acids.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-01-25T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Ludwigshafen (Germany) – January 25, 2008 – BASF will transfer its Formi® feed additive business to Addcon Nordic AS. The move allows BASF’s Nutrition Ingredients business to concentrate their respective activities more on the supply of liquid organic acids.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF appoints Folker Ruchatz as head of its global custom synthesis business</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-113</link><description>Evionnaz, Switzerland – January 18, 2008 – Effective January 2008 Dr. Folker Ruchatz has been given global responsibility for the custom synthesis business within BASF’s business unit Pharma Ingredients &amp; Services. He has also been appointed managing director of BASF Orgamol Pharma Solutions SA. The company manufactures active ingredients and highly refined intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-01-18T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Evionnaz, Switzerland – January 18, 2008 – Effective January 2008 Dr. Folker Ruchatz has been given global responsibility for the custom synthesis business within BASF’s business unit Pharma Ingredients &amp; Services. He has also been appointed managing director of BASF Orgamol Pharma Solutions SA. The company manufactures active ingredients and highly refined intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Carotenoid Lycopene from BASF blocks age-related prostate enlargement</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-08-108</link><description>Taking BASF lycopene capsules (LycoVit) prevents age-related pros-tate growth in men, concludes a clinical trial published in the January 2008 edition of “The Journal of Nutrition”.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2008-01-10T08:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Taking BASF lycopene capsules (LycoVit) prevents age-related pros-tate growth in men, concludes a clinical trial published in the January 2008 edition of “The Journal of Nutrition”.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF to raise prices for pharma excipients</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-07-499</link><description>With immediate effect, BASF is raising its prices for pharma excipients worldwide by up to 9 percent. This product group includes binders, disintegrants, coatings, solvents and solubilizers for the production of pharmaceuticals.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2007-11-12T10:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>With immediate effect, BASF is raising its prices for pharma excipients worldwide by up to 9 percent. This product group includes binders, disintegrants, coatings, solvents and solubilizers for the production of pharmaceuticals.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF to increase propionic acid capacity in Ludwigshafen and Nanjing</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-07-357</link><description>BASF is increasing its annual production capacity for the chemical intermediate propionic acid at its sites in Ludwigshafen and Nanjing by 30,000 metric tons and 9,000 metric tons, respectively. Production in Nanjing is ensured by BASF YPC Co. Ltd., a joint venture owned by BASF and the China Petroleum &amp; Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.).</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2007-08-06T10:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>BASF is increasing its annual production capacity for the chemical intermediate propionic acid at its sites in Ludwigshafen and Nanjing by 30,000 metric tons and 9,000 metric tons, respectively. Production in Nanjing is ensured by BASF YPC Co. Ltd., a joint venture owned by BASF and the China Petroleum &amp; Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.).</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>Salmon farming: Ensuring transparency from the fish farm to the supermarket shelf</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-04-235</link><description>Consumers buy food based on whether they can trust its quality. BASF, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of products for animal and human nutrition, is participating in a database project  that allows food traceability.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2004-05-26T00:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>Consumers buy food based on whether they can trust its quality. BASF, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of products for animal and human nutrition, is participating in a database project  that allows food traceability.</summary></item><item xmlns=""><title>BASF redesigns its Corporate Report</title><link>http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-04-156</link><description>More color, clarity and transparency: This is how you can describe BASF’s new Corporate Report 2003, which is being published tomorrow (March 17, 2003). For the first time the upcoming report will combine the economic, environmental and social aspects of the company’s business activities in a single publication.</description><dc:publisher/><dc:creator/><dc:date>2004-03-16T00:00:00.000+0100</dc:date><category>Fine Chemicals</category><summary>More color, clarity and transparency: This is how you can describe BASF’s new Corporate Report 2003, which is being published tomorrow (March 17, 2003). For the first time the upcoming report will combine the economic, environmental and social aspects of the company’s business activities in a single publication.</summary></item></rdf:RDF>