Precast concrete to shrink less with superplasticizer Rheoplus®8000DS from BASF Pozzolith 

Tokyo, JAPAN, September 1, 2008 – BASF Pozzolith Ltd. today launched Rheoplus® 8000DS admixture, a new polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizer specially developed to reduce the drying shrinkage of precast concrete, thus enhancing the quality and durability of concrete structures.

Incorporating a novel shrinkage reducing agent, Rheoplus® 8000DS is able to reduce the concrete drying shrinkage by about 5 to 20 percent versus untreated concrete. This innovative superplasticizer complies with the JIS A 6204 concrete admixture standard, and helps customers achieve both concrete drying shrinkage reduction and high performance water reduction at the precast concrete plant.

Because it makes the construction process faster, precast concrete is being used broadly in today's commercial and industrial buildings. With Rheoplus® 8000DS, precast concrete producers can better meet high quality standards and enhance durability.

This past June, BASF Pozzolith introduced a solution for ready-mixed concrete, Rheoplus® 800S. Now, the launch of Rheoplus® 8000DS expands the advantages to precast concrete manufacturers, marking another milestone for BASF Pozzolith to provide intelligent solutions for concrete drying shrinkage reduction.

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 superplasticizer and air-entraining 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 .