BASF Pozzolith to raise price for construction chemicals 

Tokyo, JAPAN, July 25, 2008 – Effective August 1, 2008, BASF Pozzolith Ltd. will increase sales prices for the whole range of its construction chemicals products by 10 - 20%, varying by products and sales contract conditions. The price adjustments are triggered mainly by the considerable increase of raw materials and energy cost.

The last price increase of concrete admixtures took place in April, 2005 when the raw materials cost rapidly rose due to the price hike of crude oil and naphtha. Over the past few years, the company has made every possible effort to avoid further price increases despite of continuous increase of raw materials cost and higher distribution cost. However, the strong rise of raw materials cost and energy cost in the recent months has forced the company to increase the product prices to ensure stable and consistent-quality supply to customers.

In dialogue with its customers, BASF Pozzolith is seeking new technologies to solve the problem and serve customers at its best.

About BASF Pozzolith
BASF Pozzolith is a leading supplier of construction chemicals in Japan. It was formed by merging BASF Japan's three affiliated companies for construction chemicals. The affiliated companies were NMB, established in 1960 and the leading company in development and manufacturing of admixture materials and building material products for concrete, Pozzolith Bussan, the top supplier in Japan of chemical admixtures for concrete, and BASF Construction Systems, which sells various building material system products. In total, BASF Pozzolith supplies a full range of construction chemicals from concrete admixture products such as superplastisizer and air-entrading water reducing agent to a variety of building construction materials such as high-performance non-shrinkage grouts,　repair and protection products for concrete, waterproofing products as well as performance flooring. BASF Pozzolith has 18 production sites and 16 sales offices nationwide. Further information on BASF Pozzolith is available on the Internet at www.pozzolith.basf.co.jp.

About the 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, 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 €2.1 billion with approximately 7,100 employees in 2007. Further information on BASF's Construction Chemicals business in Asia Pacific is available on the Internet at www.ap.cc.basf.com.

About BASF
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 in 2007. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or BASF Japan at www.japan.basf.com .

Media Contact
Maki Okura
BASF Japan Ltd.
Phone: + 81-3-3238-2341
Fax: + 81-3-3238-2514
E-mail: maki.okura@basf.com

BASF Japan Ltd.
3-3 Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo, 102-8570, Japan
Corporate Communications
http://www.japan.basf.com