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News Release

January 19, 2016
Joanna Shen
Phone: +86 21 2039 3053

Beverley Tan
Phone: +65 6432 3284

BASF launches advanced sports surfaces package for safe and durable construction in China

n  New package designed to help running tracks and playing fields meet stringent national safety and quality standards

n  Service program ensures quality control in manufacture and installation of sports running tracks and playing fields

Shanghai, China – January 19, 2016 – BASF today launched an integrated sports surfaces package for the construction of high quality running tracks and playing fields in China. The package includes a safe and long-lasting solution based on polyurethane, bundled with a quality service control program to ensure the highest standards during manufacturing and installation.

“This comprehensive package can help China’s construction companies ensure that their running tracks, sports surfaces and playing fields meet stringent national safety standards,” said Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President, Performance Materials, Asia Pacific, BASF. “Following its proven success in schools, stadiums and athletic fields in the Taiwanese market, we are now making this solution available in mainland China to meet increasing demand for safe and stable sports surfaces and playing fields.”

Innovative and environmentally friendly sports surfaces solution from BASF

BASF’s sports surfaces solution, which has been successfully applied at projects throughout Taiwan, consists of a binder and coating as well as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber chips. The proprietary, tailor-made formulation provides excellent viscosity and curing for direct application. As such, it does not require any additional solvent or heavy metal content to be used before or during installation of the surface, minimizing the environmental impact involved.

Additionally, the sports surfaces solution complies with the national standards GB/T 14833-2011 Synthetic materials track surfaces and GB/T 22517.6-2011 Technical requirements and test methods for sports field-Part 6: Track and field.

Quality service control program ensures safe and high performance application of sports surfaces

As part of the sports surfaces package, BASF is also introducing a quality service control program with its partner, DuBaiCheng Environmental Protection Engineering Co., Ltd (DBC). The program comprises a broad range of measures to ensure that applicators and contractors who offer the innovative solution meet the highest standards in sports surfaces application and installation for the benefit of users.

Under this program, suppliers of EPDM have to be pre-qualified. Additionally, only certified applicators with training on the solution and proper application will be allowed to install the sports surfaces solution. In order to qualify for the program, applicators will need to meet stringent criteria before entering into quality assurance agreements. Further, onsite control and engineering support will be provided by BASF experts. BASF will also periodically audit project sites and carry out checks on products to ensure compliance.

There are currently 20 qualified and certified applicators in China.

About BASF’s Performance Materials Division

BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors - transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2014, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.5 billion.

More information online: www.performance-materials.basf.com

About BASF

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. 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.