Joint project with American Plant Food Corporation FREEPORT, Texas, July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BASF's Freeport, Texas, site recently began construction of a new $13 million crystallizer system at the site's caprolactam plant in a joint project with its customer, American Plant Food Corporation. Once completed, the crystallizer will refine high- quality ammonium sulfate, a by-product of the caprolactam manufacturing process and a key component in plant fertilizer sold by American Plant Food. Construction of the system is expected to take two years to complete. During this time, the project will employ 20 construction personnel at the site and 20 jobs off-site for local companies. BASF is a major producer of caprolactam, which is used to manufacture nylon products. While BASF has supplied ammonium sulfate to American Plant Food for many years, the companies together saw the opportunity to increase production of higher quality granules of ammonium sulfate and gain new efficiencies in the process by installing the new crystallizer system. "This provides BASF and American Plant Food with a unique opportunity that provides great benefits for both parties," said Art Colwell, Vice President and General Manager of BASF's Freeport site. "It is an excellent example of finding innovative uses for by-products and eliminating waste in our manufacturing processes." "Our companies have a long-standing relationship and this demonstrates the next chapter in finding new ways for mutually-beneficial business gains," said Don Ford, President, CEO and Chairman for American Plant Food Corporation. "We look forward to having this new crystallizer system in place to increase the quality of ammonium sulfate to supply our customers for blending, direct applications and industrial use." Randy Hulvey, Manager of Supply Chain Management for Polyamide and Intermediates for BASF in North America added, "This project is another example of how closely BASF and American Plant Food have worked together for more than 40 years. It also demonstrates how BASF helps make its customers more successful." BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.(R) BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF employs more than 15,500 in North America and had sales of approximately $14.3 billion in 2006. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit http://www.basf.com/usa. BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF's high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has approximately 95,000 employees and posted sales of ?52.6 billion (approximately $66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at http://www.basf.com/. American Plant Food Corporation American Plant Food Corporation (APF) has been in the fertilizer business since its inception in 1964 with products serving agricultural and industrial businesses. The company's product line ranges from Crop Formulas made to fit the needs of crops in specific soil areas, to Custom Formulas made to fit exacting specifications resulting from soil testing and agronomic recommendations. Its blended product lines consist of both Uri-Pels and Multi- Pels. A key product supplied by American Plant Food is ammonium sulfate, which is a white, free-flowing compound of 21 percent nitrogen and 24 percent sulfur. Ammonium sulfate is ideal for blending or direct application. DATASOURCE: BASF Corporation CONTACT: Sharon Rogers, +1-979-415-6273, , or Maureen Paukert, +1-973-245-6077, , both of BASF Corporation Web site: http://www.basf.com/ http://www.basf.com/usa

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