Funds to construct new technology center, meet future workforce needs in region FREEPORT, Texas, Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BASF today announced a $1 million contribution to the Brazosport College Foundation to construct a new process technology center as part of the school's planned Science Technology Corridor on its campus in Lake Jackson, Texas. BASF will contribute the $1 million in five annual installments beginning in 2008 and concluding in 2012. Brazosport College is currently designing the new facility, which is the first project of the college's growth initiative and master plan. The BASF Center for Process Technology will include new analytical labs and classrooms for curriculum supporting the petrochemical, energy and nuclear industries. The fields of study will include process technology, nuclear power technology, safety and environmental technology and emerging energy specialties. "Together, businesses and communities can meet future workforce needs by ensuring that educational institutions have the resources and support necessary to continue providing quality education that's aligned with job growth in the region," said Art Colwell, vice president and general manager of BASF's Freeport site. "Brazosport College has an excellent process technology program and BASF is proud to expand its support of the school and this program going forward." "With this generous gift, BASF is making an important commitment to the economic development of this community in terms of workforce development opportunities," said Dr. Millicent Valek, president of Brazosport College. "We are very pleased to have this partnership with BASF to construct the new Center for Process Technology on our campus." In addition to the new center, the Science Technology Corridor will include a health professions and science technology complex that will house labs, classrooms and department offices for the college's health professions programs. BASF's Freeport site employs 650 employees and 275 contractors. Chemicals produced at the site are used in a wide range of product applications, including adhesives, paints and coatings, superabsorbents, nylon and plastics. 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 SE, 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/. DATASOURCE: BASF CONTACT: Sharon Rogers, +1-979-415-6273, , or Maureen Paukert, +1-973-245-6077, , both of BASF Corporation Web site: http://www.basf.com/usa

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