ISELIN, NJ, July 23, 2010 – BASF, the global leader in catalysis, today announced that it is raising prices worldwide for its fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst and additive products by up to three percent, effective August 15, 2010, or as contracts allow.  The price increase is needed to support BASF’s significant ongoing investments in research and development, production facilities and personnel to deliver leading-edge FCC catalyst technology and technical service to its global refining customers.   

BASF’s stepped-up R&D investment is delivering a rich pipeline of innovative new products in response to market needs, providing users with greater flexibility and improved FCC economics.  Over the past 18 months, BASF has introduced NaphthaMax^® III, Stamina™, HDXtra™ and Aegis™ as well as advanced co-catalyst solutions and a new Multi-Stage Reaction Catalyst (MSRC) manufacturing platform.  Greater development of the MSRC platform will further accelerate and enhance delivery of new, higher performance FCC catalysts.  In 2011, the company will also start up a state-of-the-art FCC catalyst pilot plant at its Iselin, New Jersey, research facility to be used for customer support and advanced catalyst development. 

As part of its ongoing technical service expansion, BASF has established local representatives in all major regions and launched its Technical Support Service (TSS) platform to ensure the delivery of fast, reliable and actionable information and support to its global customer base. 

Due to the FCC unit’s inherent flexibility, BASF expects the global market to continue to grow as FCC operation is modified to supply desired product slates.  BASF’s strategy is aligned with this forecasted global market expansion and supported through ongoing capital investments to ensure the delivery of reliable, high-quality performance products that help drive its customers’ success.

About BASF’s Catalysts division

BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary catalyst and adsorbent solutions that drive customer success. 

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help 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 posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.