BASF expands construction chemicals business to South China by acquiring Kejie’s concrete admixture business

* – BASF now active in concrete admixture business throughout China
* – Broad customer portfolio in civil, commercial and residential construction

BASF Construction Chemicals (China) Co., Ltd. announced today (December 15, 2008) that it has acquired the concrete admixture business of Kejie Admixture Science & Technology Co. Ltd. (“Kejie”), a leading concrete admixture supplier in South China. Located close to Guangzhou, the capital of the Guangdong province, Kejie produces a wide range of concrete admixtures and intermediate products. Approximately 100 employees, including the management, are expected to join BASF as part of the transaction. Both parties agreed not to disclose any financial details of the transaction.

With the acquisition of Kejie’s admixture business , BASF extends its production network capacity to South China. I n China’s fast-growing construction market BASF already operates admixture plants in East, North and West China. Mark Volmer, Group Vice President , responsible for BASF’s Construction Chemicals b usiness in Asia Pacific , said: “The acquisition is a strategic addition that strengthens BASF as the market leader in the Chinese construction chemicals industry. Kejie is well recognized in South China for its high-quality products. The acquisition fits well into BASF’s strategy to provide intelligent solutions to customers to be more successful and to serve the construction markets locally.

Admixtures are used to provide concrete with a superior application performance. Innovative admixture technologies make concrete easier to place and finish, allowing construction to continue even in very hot or very cold temperatures, accelerating or delaying the hardening of concrete and increasing final strength and durability. Customers include ready-mix concrete producers, pre-cast operators, dry-cast and concrete block manufacturers, as well as contractors active in civil, commercial, and residential construction.

BASF’s construction chemicals business has been active in concrete admixture production in China since 1988. The Kejie acquisition provides BASF with its 13th production facility for construction chemicals in Greater China. Previous admixture acquisitions took place in Beijing in 2005, Chengdu and Suzhou in 2006 .

About BASF’s Construction Chemicals division

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 strategic business unit specifically helps customers in the ready-mix, pre-cast and manufactured concrete and underground construction industries. The Construction Systems strategic business unit offers a wide range of products for sports and industrial flooring, external renders and wall insulation, expansion joints and 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 regions and achieved sales of €2.1 billion with approximately 7,100 employees in 2007.

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 euros 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.