BASF optimizes its sterols production infrastructure

• BASF increases its sterols extraction capacity in Boussens, France
• Sterols site in Pasadena, Texas will be closed end of 2015

FLORHAM PARK, NJ, October 8, 2015 -- To optimize its sterols production infrastructure and serve the global demand, BASF will increase the sterol extraction capacity at its site in Boussens, France. In addition, the company has decided to close its sterols production site in Pasadena, Texas, by the end of 2015.

The Pasadena site’s location, remotely located from the key raw material sources, does not allow BASF to remain competitive in the marketplace. Approximately 40 positions will be affected by the site closure.

Sterols are an important product range in BASF’s health-focused human nutrition portfolio. The company will continue to manufacture high-quality sterols for its customers without interruption at other sites in Europe and the United States. BASF’s product portfolio is not affected by the closure of the site in Pasadena.

The Pasadena site manufactures wood and vegetable sterols, which are typically used in dietary supplements and as functional ingredients in food products to reduce cholesterol. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved claim states that 1.3 grams of plant sterols per day may reduce the risk of heart disease.

About BASF Nutrition & Health

BASF Nutrition & Health provides a comprehensive product and service portfolio for the human and animal nutrition, pharmaceutical and flavor & fragrance industries. With innovative solutions and modern technologies we help our customers to improve their business efficiency and the sustainability of their products. Our human nutrition solutions include vitamins and carotenoids, plant sterols, emulsifiers and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamins and carotenoids form also an important part of our animal nutrition portfolio, as well as other feed additives like trace elements, enzymes and organic acids. We provide the pharmaceutical industry with a broad range of excipients and selected large-volume active pharmaceutical ingredients, such as Ibuprofen and omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, we offer aroma ingredients such as citral, geraniol and L-menthol. BASF Nutrition & Health operates sites in Europe, North America, South America and in Asia-Pacific.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20.6 billion in 2014. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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