Name change for Elastogran companies

• Elastogran to become BASF Polyurethanes
• Reinforcing leadership in systems and specialties
• Existing legal agreements not affected

Ludwigshafen, Germany – December 22, 2009 – Following the introduction of the BASF corporate brand for European polyurethane sites, the next step is to change the names of Elastogran companies. For instance, Elastogran GmbH with its head offices in Lemförde will be called BASF Polyurethanes GmbH from now on. This is in keeping with a system already introduced on a global scale. The name change will not affect the legal form of the companies concerned. Nor will the renaming affect existing agreements such as employment contracts or customer contracts.

The Elastogran name lives on in the BASF brand “PU Solutions Elastogran,” which was recently launched throughout Europe. It stands for the polyurethane system and specialty elastomer market leader’s more than 40 years of experience and customer focus. “The name change is an important indicator of BASF’s commitment to its European PU business and helps strengthen the BASF brand overall,” said Jacques Delmoitiez, President BASF Polyurethanes.

“In the past 10 years alone, BASF has invested around one billion euros in PU sites and the European PU business.” For instance, BASF recently started up a new system house in Slovakia. Further investment is to follow in 2010, including the inauguration of a system house in Poland. “By doing so, we strengthen our position as market leader for PU systems and specialties,” said Delmoitiez. “BASF is proud of what Elastogran companies all over Europe are achieving,” Delmoitiez continued. “That’s why we want the professionalism and performance excellence of our employees to be associated more closely with the BASF brand name.”

“Our European PU business benefits not only from the investments involved, which BASF pursued even in a year as difficult as 2009,” said Delmoitiez: “The polyurethane system houses are part of the global BASF Verbund. They enable us to offer our customers and partners all over the world the expertise and problem-solving skills that BASF has established due to its presence in many key industries, such as construction and automotive.”

The name change process in about a dozen European countries will kick off in January 2010 and is expected to be completed by the middle of the year, depending on local legal requirements. The move also involves the transition of former Elastogran e-mail address to the BASF system: firstname.lastname@basf.com. This offers the advantage that employees can keep their e-mail addresses even if they change jobs within the BASF Group and simultaneously reduces administrative effort. The former e-mail addresses will remain valid for at least 12 months after introduction of the new @basf.com addresses.

About BASF Polyurethanes

BASF is the leading supplier of polyurethane basic products, systems and specialties. With its global network of more than 30 polyurethane system houses and its comprehensive product and service portfolio, BASF is the preferred partner of its customers in many industries. In the extremely service-oriented business with polyurethane systems and specialties reliability, experience and competence are in demand. Through its system houses BASF provides fast local support – from technical service and sales to marketing – during the development of customized solutions. With its world-scale plants BASF secures its leading market position in the manufacture of polyurethane basic products in all regions of the world.

Polyurethanes make life more comfortable, safer and more pleasant – and they help to save energy sustainably. They contribute towards an improved insulation of buildings and a more attractive and more light-weight design of cars. The manufacturers of shoe soles, mattresses and household as well as sports equipment use the manifold opportunities and advantages of this special plastics material together with the knowledge and expertise of the polyurethane experts of BASF world-wide.

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. 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 posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000employees as of the end of the year. 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.

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