BASF tailors textile nylon products for specialty markets
Branded fibers satisfy consumers' wish for comfort

Charlotte, N.C., November 15, 2002 – "BASF's Textile Products continues to emphasize and grow our specialty nylon fibers business and add value to our customers' products," said Bill Scott, Director, Nylon Textile and Automotive Products for BASF.

"This approach is paying off for both BASF and our customers as we continually evaluate and improve specialty nylon warp knit products for intimate apparel, upholstery fabrics as well as automotive applications," Scott said. "For example, our high filament and micro fiber branded nylon yarns give the softness and comfort consumers desire for intimate apparel."

Tristine Berry, Merchandising Manager, adds that "we pride ourselves in producing specialized products, such as our Ultra Micro Touch® nylon that can be paired with spandex in seamless and circular knits for swimwear, intimate apparel and activewear."

In addition to comfort, what are consumers looking for? According to Berry, new fabrics also are driving the market. "Personalized fabrics are really important to the consumer ranging from highly decorated fabrics to the basic fabrics we all know and love. These new fabrics may combine two mesh fabrics for a layering effect, or a satin fabric with lace on top, or a sheer fabric with a mesh under it. These specialty fabrics are enticing consumers to part with their money and buy something not in their wardrobes."

Pursuing additional specialty markets, BASF recently introduced a family of nylon yarns for activewear for export to customers in countries covered by the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).

"We see growth opportunities in this area during the next twelve months and expect to expand our business in this region," Scott said. All BASF textile nylon yarns are CBI compliant and are manufactured at our ISO-9001 registered plant in Anderson, South Carolina.

Taking advantage of carpet synergies
BASF is the only fiber producer that manufactures both solution dyed nylon carpet and upholstery yarns made from virtually identical pigments and polymers. By pairing upholstery fabrics and carpet made from Zeftron 2000® solution-dyed nylon yarns, designers can achieve excellent color matches and coordination for seating fabrics and carpets.

Building on the synergy with carpet yarns, BASF earlier this year announced the expansion of its industry-leading carpet 6ix Again® carpet recycling program to include Zeftron® 200 nylon upholstery yarns, thus making it possible to recycle old nylon upholstery fabrics back into virgin grade nylon.

"Adding Zeftron 200 nylon to the 6ix Again recycling program demonstrates BASF's leadership and continuing commitment to sustainability," said Walter Pinsdorf, BASF Senior Marketing Representative. "Now upholstery fabrics made with our Zeftron 200 nylon can be recycled in a similar manner as carpets returned through the 6ix Again program, now in its eighth year of evolution."

"In addition to recycling attributes, designers can achieve all the elements of good design with Zeftron 200 nylon," Pinsdorf continued. "Our expanded color line and the introduction of finer denier yarns have fueled a wave of fabric development leading to newly defined patterns. This has resulted in exciting new product launches. Because all certified Zeftron 200 nylon fabrics must pass a demanding series of industry performance standards, specifiers can be confident in the durability, ease of care and lasting beauty of our yarns, even in the most demanding applications. BASF Zeftron 200 solution-dyed nylon continues to set standards for performance in the corporate, healthcare, hospitality and assisted living markets."

Automotive connection
As major automotive interior components, BASF nylon yarns continue to meet the stringent quality standards demanded by the industry. BASF's nylon is the primary yarn choice in headliner cloth for American cars, a position it has held for more than two decades.

In addition, BASF specializes in high-performance solution-dyed nylon for automotive carpets and is the industry leader in their production. Recognized for superior color fastness, carpets made with BASF's solution-dyed nylon out perform the competition. For 2003 models, BASF nylon is the choice for automotive carpets in selected Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors vehicles as well as some models for Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Mazda.

For the home or office
In addition to automotive carpet yarns, BASF supplies both solution-dyed and natural BCF nylon yarns to the commercial and residential markets.

"The color palette for carpets has exploded," said Tim Blount, Manager Marketing Programs. "Both designers for the commercial carpet market and homeowners can select nylon carpet in a variety of shades and hues that compliment the furniture and other room accessories. In addition, sophisticated patterns and textures are available thanks to breakthroughs in carpet manufacturing technology. With all the latest carpet color and styling options available today, it is a great time to replace that old carpet and install a new carpet made with BASF nylon."

Ultra Touch ® nylon, Zeftron 2000® solution-dyed nylon, Zeftron® 200 nylon and 6ix Again® are registered trademarks of BASF Corporation.

BASF: Helping Make Products Better™
BASF is the world's leading chemical company, offering its customers a range of high-performance products, including chemicals, plastics, coatings systems, dispersions, agricultural products and fine chemicals as well as crude oil and natural gas. BASF is an industry leader in sustainable development, including environmental protection, safety and health, and social responsibility. BASF had 2001 sales of $29 billion and employs more than 90,000 people worldwide. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in New York (BF), Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), Paris (BA) and Zurich (BAS). BASF Corporation is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. In North America, 2001 sales were $6.9 billion and the company employs approximately 14,000 people. For more information or to subscribe to receive news releases by E-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

For more information, contact:
Phyllis D. Vance
BASF Corporation
Tel: (704) 423-2351
E-mail: vancep@basf.com