BASF Construction Chemicals establishes Guangdong branch 

BASF to integrate concrete admixtures and construction systems businesses to better serve South China construction industry

Foshan, China - March 23, 2009 - BASF inaugurated the newly established BASF Construction Chemicals (China) Co. Ltd. Guangdong Branch in Foshan, South China. The new branch will integrate the acquired concrete admixtures business of Kejie Admixture Science & Technology Co. Ltd. (“Kejie”), acquired last year, with BASF’s existing product lines to offer a comprehensive range of solutions to the construction industry in South China.

“The opening of the Guangdong Branch will allow us to maintain a stronger team and strengthened capabilities to serve the construction sector in South China,” said Mr. Mark Volmer, Group Vice President, responsible for BASF's Construction Chemicals business in Asia Pacific.

In December 2008, BASF acquired Kejie’s admixture business and extended its production network capacity to South China.

“The beginning stages of the Kejie integration are preceding well and the business has been healthy over the past three months. Moving forward, we aim at achieving even higher business performance with consolidated product lines and a streamlined organization in the new branch,” stated Mr. Ke Liang, General Manager of Guangdong Branch.

To serve the various construction project needs, the strengthened organization in Guangdong will offer a wide range of products and systems including concrete admixture systems, waterproofing systems, grouting systems, concrete repair and protection systems, tiling systems, and flooring systems, among others.

Active in mainland China since 1988, BASF’s Construction Chemicals business is now operating four branches, with headquarters based in Shanghai. The other branches are situated in Beijing, Sichuan and Huzhou. With 12 production facilities set up in mainland China, BASF’s Construction Chemicals business is able to provide stable and good-quality supply to local customers.

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 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 7,700 employees in 2008. For further information, please visit www.ap.cc.basf.com.

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 and 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 has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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BASF has been a committed partner to Greater China since 1885. It is one of the biggest foreign investors in the Chinese chemical industry. The company has approximately 6,300 employees and operates 19 BASF wholly owned subsidiaries and 10 BASF joint ventures in 2008.  BASF’s sales in Greater China is about €4.2 billion. For further information, please visit www.greater-china.basf.com.

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